Cyril Lina Querido | Nurses Week Profile

What are your passions away from work?

“Spending time with my family and gardening are my passions. Time together with my family gives me joy and strength. Our daily tech-free dinner time is a treasure. Flower/vegetable planting connects me with nature. I love watching my garden thrive and flourish, it brings me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. A philosopher once said that your loved ones embrace will give you strength and protects you when you go to the outside world.”

What does a day in your life look like at work?

"Typically, my work starts with establishing a trusting relationship with my patient and checking vital signs prior to med administration, teaching patients and advocating for them. But there’s more than that, I try to connect with them personally. There’s always a reason for things that happen in our lives. I had the experienced being on the opposite end of nursing, I was a patient 2 years ago and it was a humbling and learning experience. I experienced neuro/surgical pain. Now I can say that I can empathize with my patients and completely understand their distress/needs/symptoms.  

Being a patient taught me to be more proactive in meeting their needs. And most importantly, every patients visit, I made sure that I am not just there to administer medication but to give them emotional support as well.”

What is the best part of your job?

“Nursing is a meaningful profession. It is for people with compassion hearts and healing hands. It’s a unique privilege to be able to witness and be part of patients healing process, watch their recovery and their satisfaction with the care they received. I had a patient that when I first saw him, there was frustration in his face. He was active then he became bedbound, can’t hardly move his extremities. Now patient can walk and he’s almost back to normal. He was proud of himself and was very grateful for the care that he received. Every time that me and my patient remembered his health status on our first meeting we just laughed and smile. It’s so rewarding to be part of his story. Touching patient’s life makes a difference."

How do you incorporate Quality and Patient Safety into your work?

“As for me to be able to give a quality and safe care to my patients, I do make an effort to do tasks one at a time. Focusing and being in the present prevents mistakes and made me provide excellent care to my patients."

What words would you say to a nurse after a challenging day?

“You were there at the right place and time coz you were the right nurse for that patient’s needs. It’s not easy but It’s worth it.”