FoundationU College of Nursing

The Foundation University College of Nursing proudly celebrates Ms. April Mae B. Gaston, RN, JD, MNE(c) - College of Nursing faculty member, for being accepted into the prestigious Naveen Jindal Young Global Research Fellowship (NJYGRF) of O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana, India.

As an accepted fellow, Ms. Gaston will represent not only Foundation University, but the excellence, passion, and global potential of the College of Nursing.

Your College of Nursing family celebrates this remarkable milestone as you take nursing scholarship beyond borders!

This international research milestone advances the College of Nursing’s commitment to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through global scholarship, innovation, and academic collaboration.

A meaningful and inspiring College Convocation was successfully held by the College of Nursing of Foundation University as part of the College Week celebration on April 23 at the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall. The event was graced by our guest speaker, Dr. Freslyn Lim-Saco, who delivered a powerful message aligned with the theme, “Pulse of Excellence: Celebrating the Spirit of Nursing.”

An uplifting message was also shared by NLE 2025 Topnotcher Jeremy A. Solamillo, now a dialysis nurse in one of the hospitals in Dumaguete City, inspiring students to pursue excellence in their nursing journey.

Student nurses were recognized for their outstanding contributions in research, sports, and extracurricular activities, highlighting the college’s continued commitment to holistic excellence. The program was further enlivened by captivating performances from our talented student nurses and the FUCN Mighty Band.

Indeed, it was a celebration of achievements, unity, and inspiration—truly a blast as the closing activity of our College Week.

In celebration of College Week, the College of Nursing of Foundation University, through its Disaster Nursing Program and Community Extension Committee, successfully conducted a Mass Hands-Only CPR Training on April 22, 2026, at the Yellow Court, North Campus.

The activity was held in collaboration with the Philippine Heart Association – Negros Oriental Chapter, Philippine Red Cross – Negros Oriental Chapter, ONE RESCUE EMS, and PDRRMC Negros Oriental.

The initiative equipped participants with essential life-saving skills and reinforced the importance of immediate response during cardiac emergencies, contributing to a more prepared and resilient community.

Aligned with this effort, the activity supports the following Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

As a vibrant kick-off to the College Week Celebration of the College of Nursing, a Quiz Bee was successfully held at the 7th floor of Smeets Hall 2. The event showcased a dynamic blend of fun and intellect, as student nurses engaged in an exciting battle of knowledge and excellence.

Beyond the competition, quiz bees play a vital role in nursing education by reinforcing core concepts, sharpening critical thinking, and promoting quick yet accurate clinical decision-making—skills essential in real-life patient care. They also foster teamwork, confidence, and a culture of continuous learning, all of which are fundamental in developing competent, responsive, and safe nursing professionals.

Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding performance, and to all participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to excellence.

Padayon Greyhounds!

As the College of Nursing celebrates College Week 2026, everyone is warmly invited to take part in three core activities: the Quiz Bee, Hands-Only CPR Training, and the College Convocation—each designed to celebrate excellence, unity, and the spirit of nursing!

This month, the three sections of Level 4 student nurses from the Foundation University College of Nursing successfully completed their Water Safety Training at Sea Forest, Camp Bucad, and Sea Horizons respectively.
As an integral component of the Disaster Nursing course, this training equips students with essential knowledge and hands-on skills in preventing, recognizing, and responding to water-related emergencies.
It emphasizes survival techniques, safe rescue methods, risk assessment in aquatic environments, and life-saving interventions such as water rescue and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Through this experiential learning activity, student nurses enhance their confidence, critical thinking, and preparedness to respond effectively to disasters such as floods, storm surges, and maritime incidents—realities commonly encountered in the Philippine setting.

This initiative also supports the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting life-saving competencies; SDG 4: Quality Education, through experiential and skills-based learning; and SDG 13: Climate Action, by strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience in the face of climate-related hazards.

Update: College of Nursing pre-enrollment screening will temporarily close on April 23, 2026 (Thursday), and will resume the following day, April 24, 2026 (Friday).

Don’t miss your chance—apply now!

As part of the Disaster Nursing course, a series of Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training sessions were successfully conducted in Dumaguete City throughout March and April 2026, engaging a diverse group of students from various academic programs.
The activities included sessions at ACSAT Dumaguete on April 8 with 50 participants from Hospitality Technology and Information Technology programs; at COSCA Annex Campus, Talay on March 23 with 80 third-year Criminology students; and at MDC on March 27 and March 16 with 107 Criminology students and 50 Tourism Management students, respectively.
Overall, these trainings equipped nearly 300 participants with essential life-saving skills, promoting emergency preparedness and reinforcing the importance of immediate response in critical situations.

This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through the promotion of life-saving skills that can reduce preventable deaths during emergencies, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by extending practical, skills-based learning beyond the classroom to diverse student groups. By equipping participants with essential CPR competencies, the program also contributes to building safer and more resilient communities, supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through strengthened community preparedness and responsiveness to health emergencies.

The Level IV student nurses of Foundation University College of Nursing successfully conducted the 17th Professional Adjustment Seminar on April 10 at Sierra Hotel, guided by the theme ‘Bridging Theory to Practice: Thriving in the Professional World.’

Organized by the students, the seminar aimed to prepare future nurses for the realities of professional practice as they transition toward becoming registered nurses.
Esteemed speakers shared valuable real-world experiences, practical insights, and words of encouragement, inspiring students to confidently step into the nursing profession.

The 17th Professional Adjustment Seminar contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by preparing student nurses with essential knowledge, skills, and professional insights needed to transition effectively into the healthcare workforce through collaborative and experiential learning.

Pre-Enrollment is ONGOING!

Step into a future where compassion meets excellence, and where you are trained to become a skilled, confident, and globally competitive nurse.

Secure your slot today and begin your journey toward a profession that saves lives and touches hearts.

Be the reason someone feels cared for. Be a FoundatioNurse.

In the Spotlight: Dean Jethri Catalan — recognized for exemplifying excellence in nursing.

Leading by Serving: Dean Jethri Catalan’s Quiet Power in Nursing

At the height of the COVID-19 Delta wave, one nurse leader in Dumaguete City stepped beyond administrative boundaries—proving that true leadership is defined not by title, but by action in moments of crisis.

April 2026 / BEST Healthcare Rankings

In the most overwhelming days of the pandemic, Jethri Ken Carlo Catalan, then serving as chief nurse in a hospital in Dumaguete City, faced relentless pressure—staff shortages, patient surges, and critical equipment limitations. “When I was serving as a chief nurse in one of the hospitals in Dumaguete City during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly at the height of the Delta wave, I encountered significant challenges such as staffing constraints, patient overload, and limited resources, including ventilators and high-flow oxygen machines due to the surge of cases.”

Rather than remain behind a desk, Catalan chose to lead from the front. “In response to these pressures, I made the decision to personally attend to code blue situations and assist with post-cardiac arrest care.” Balancing administrative demands with frontline care proved “physically and mentally taxing,” yet his presence provided critical reinforcement for his team. “By stepping into frontline care when it was most needed, I was able to help ensure that patients received timely, safe, and compassionate interventions despite the constraints we faced.”

Now Dean of the College of Nursing at Foundation University, Catalan continues to shape the next generation of nurses with the same commitment to integrity. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2004) and Master of Science in Nursing (2012) graduate of Silliman University, with an Anaesthetic Practitioner Qualifying Course (2020) from Southampton University in the United Kingdom, he is both a Philippine-licensed nurse (2005) and a United Kingdom-licensed nurse (2016). His leadership extends into academic rigor, ensuring that nursing education remains grounded in evidence-based and ethical practice. “While certain practices may be widely accepted within the team or community, I remained committed to upholding standards that are fully aligned with clinical guidelines and ethical expectations.”

For Catalan, leadership is rooted in trust. “My mantra in life is ‘walk your talk.’ I have always believed that respect, confidence, and trust are earned by working alongside colleagues, not above them.” This philosophy came to life during a community rescue effort, where he stood side by side with faculty and staff, reinforcing unity and shared purpose.

Through both crisis response and academic leadership, Catalan exemplifies the mission of BEST Healthcare Rankings—Building Excellence through Service and Trust. His work elevates the image of nursing as a profession defined not only by clinical competence, but by integrity, humility, and the courage to lead when it matters most.