<p>Theresa Peñarubia, Head Nurse at the <a href="https://ritm.gov.ph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in the Philippines</a>, is a TrueProfile.io Member and Scholarship winner. Theresa was awarded the February Scholarship Fund after she successfully applying. We recently spoke to Theresa about her nursing career and the advice she gives to women interested in pursuing a career abroad.</p>
<h2>Theresa, you are the Charge/Head Nurse (Infectious Disease) at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). RITM is the first hospital that Filipinos think about when dealing with exotic diseases, including the SARS-COV2 coronavirus. Can you describe what it’s been like working at the forefront of the Philippines’ battle against the pandemic?</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/Theresa-PPE-768x1024.jpg" alt="Theresa Penarubia Interview TrueProfile.io" class="wp-image-9644" title="Theresa Penarubia Interview TrueProfile.io"/><figcaption>Theresa in her PPE “bunny suit”.</figcaption></figure>
<p>As a frontliner in the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), we are in a different war with COVID-19. The coronavirus is not like an enemy where we can see it; that’s why our role as health workers is crucial in dealing with this pandemic. Being a head nurse is the best and worst experience. We are all happy when patients are recovering: it feels like we are winning in this battle. Our patients are like our family. We cannot back out when the sick patients arrive; it is part of my devotion as a nurse. And I’m grateful to have colleagues who are equally as excited for work and committed to helping, to the extent of risking their lives for others to be safe. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/Theresa-768x1024.jpg" alt="Theresa Penarubia Head Nurse" class="wp-image-9645" title="Theresa Penarubia Interview TrueProfile.io"/><figcaption>Theresa showing the marks behind the “bunny suit”.</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Why did you choose nursing as a career?</h2>
<p>I felt that I needed to do something that helped people more directly. That’s why I chose nursing as a career because it meets that need. I do not think anything is more rewarding than helping someone in crisis. Most people become so appreciative of your services because, as a head nurse, you are putting someone else before yourself. And that person you are helping becomes so appreciative of you for doing that.</p>
<h2>What tips can you share with other women that will help them to further their careers?</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/Theresa-Fingerheart-673x1024.jpg" alt="Theresa Penarubia Interview TrueProfile.io" class="wp-image-9648" title="Theresa Penarubia Interview TrueProfile.io"/><figcaption>Keeping positive during the pandemic.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Love yourself and love what you’re doing. Be a lifelong learner no matter what stage or age in your career. </p>
<h2>How has TrueProfile.io and your TrueProof (PSV Report) impacted your career?</h2>
<p>TrueProfile.io has been a huge help to my career. Employers can easily check my verified credentials, my TrueProofs, online. </p>
<h2>How was your experience with ATI’s Real Life Medical-Surgical Nursing Education module?</h2>
<p>I chose the Real Life: Medical-Surgical Module because there’s a wide variety of patients and scenarios with complex disease processes. Each patient represents various care needs. Nurses like me are required to expand our knowledge base throughout our careers. The course is very informative and easy to understand. </p>
<h2>Would you recommend TrueProfile.io to your friends and colleagues?</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/Theresa-and-Friends-768x1024.jpg" alt="Head nurse Theresa Penarubia with her colleagues" class="wp-image-9647" title="Theresa Penarubia Interview TrueProfile.io"/><figcaption>Theresa with her colleagues.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Of course! I recommend TrueProfile.io to my colleagues, especially to those who are interested in traveling abroad for work. Once your credentials are verified, you can easily share them with your employer.</p>
<h4>Get your own TrueProof like Head NurseTheresa did. Sign up as a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/register" target="_blank">TrueProfile.io</a> Member now!</h4>
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