drnursepaul

10/15/2026

So excited to meet with the global IEN community in Toronto!

To my FB community, please spread the word and encourage your nurses and colleagues to join this conference. You may also support SIENNA by sponsoring nurses or through donations.

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of our leaders.

Thanks Aaron.the.RN for being an active SIENNA global ambassador and an IEN advocate!

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱, 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗔!

Join us at the 2nd IEN Global Conference and Policy Congress, November 20–22, 2026, in North York, Ontario, Canada!

✨ Learn from 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 , gain valuable insights, explore new perspectives, and connect with nursing professionals from around the world. This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge, strengthen your professional network, and be part of meaningful conversations shaping the future of nursing!

🎉𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀! Enjoy a special 𝟮𝟬% 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 on your conference registration.

📌𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: https://siennanursingsociety.org/2ndiengc

10/10/2026

On World Mental Health Day, let’s make space for an honest conversation about nurse burnout, compassion fatigue, and the care nurses need, too.

During COVID, while working in the ED, I was extremely burned out and had lost my purpose. I wanted to leave nursing altogether.

There’s this thought in nursing that we have to dig deep into our altruistic principles, keep giving, and shrug off abuse, exhaustion, and fatigue in the name of resilience.

I realized how important it was to take care of my mental health if I wanted to stay in this profession.

In a talk I gave nursing students this year, I shared four strategies to support our mental well-being:

1. Disconnect and decompress. It is okay to step back and slow down.
2. Protect your energy and work-life balance.
3. Revisit your purpose, your “why.”
4. Seek support and therapy.

This World Mental Health Day, remember that your well-being matters, too. ❤️

10/05/2026

Wow! I am so honored to be named a 2026 Outstanding Nurse Honoree by the Texas Nurses Association, District 9

Almost 20 years ago, I walked into nursing unsure if I would even make it. I did not know then that this path would become such a big part of my life.

This award is for every patient, family, mentor, colleague, employer, student, and friend who shared this journey with me.

And it is for the younger me who once wondered if he belonged.

Thank you, TNA District 9. My heart is full.

An Evening of Excellence: Honoring the Stars of Healthcare at the 34th Annual Nursing Celebration

10/04/2026

What’s a Filipino home without a karaoke machine? 😂 Also, we almost had a stroke singing this 🤪 but we will be happy to do so for the queen Céline Dion we love you and hope we didn’t ruin your song 😳✌🏽

10/03/2026

Recapping the 1st IEN Global Conference last year, where I had the privilege of meeting SIENNA ambassadors from around the world.

As President of SIENNA, my goal is to continue elevating the voices of internationally educated nurses globally. From the bedside to the boardroom, from nurses’ stations to legislative halls, IENs are an integral part of the healthcare system and deserve recognition, support, and representation.

This year, SIENNA is heading to Toronto for the 2nd IEN Global Conference and Policy Congress. I look forward to meeting our ambassadors, partners, and supporters at this important event.

Please register or donate through the link below.
https://www.siennanursingsociety.org/2ndiengc

If you would like to partner with SIENNA or make a donation to support IENs globally, please do not hesitate to contact me.

10/03/2026

With recent discourse on racism, prejudice, and injustice, SIENNA joins the Professional Organizations representing Nurses of Color (PONC) in calling on nursing organizations and their governing bodies to:

- Ensure safe reporting and protection from retaliation, including accessible mechanisms for reporting racism, discrimination, harassment, and other concerns.
- Establish fair and independent accountability processes, particularly when concerns involve senior leaders, and apply standards consistently regardless of title, tenure, or influence.
- Strengthen governance, transparency, and representation by ensuring meaningful board oversight, communicating appropriately when serious concerns affect institutional trust, and including nurses of color in leadership and decision-making.

Society of Internationally Educated Nurses and Nursing Allies

10/02/2026

Exciting news, registration for the SIENNA Conference is officially open!

Whether you're an Internationally Educated Nurse or a passionate supporter, this is the event for you. We'd love for you to join us, either in person or virtually.

Can't make it this time? You can still make a difference by donating or sponsoring a nurse. We hope to see you there!

09/28/2026

My mentee asked me, “When did you finally start feeling confident in your role as a nurse practitioner?”

I want to take you back to my first day of NP clinical in 2020, when I was still a nurse practitioner student. I remember my preceptor telling me something that stayed with me. He said, “Paul, you are no longer working as a nurse. You are now a provider. You will decide. You will diagnose. You will determine the treatment plan. You will prescribe medications. Think as a provider.”

That conversation changed my perspective and challenged me to think differently about every patient encounter. I had years of nursing experience, but becoming an NP required a different level of clinical judgment, responsibility, and decision-making.

At the beginning, I was anxious and scared because there were so many what-ifs running through my mind. What if I made a mistake? What if I misdiagnosed a patient? What if I did not know the answer? What if I forgot the correct medication dose while speaking with the patient? Those fears were real because I understood the weight of the responsibility that came with the role.

I am grateful that I had professors, preceptors, and mentors who challenged me, encouraged me, corrected me, and reminded me to keep learning. Their support helped me move forward without allowing fear to stop my growth.

Fast forward to today, and I am still learning, growing, asking questions, and remaining curious and disciplined about improving my clinical decision-making. Confidence did not suddenly arrive one day. It developed through repetition, experience, reflection, mentorship, and a commitment to keep improving my craft.

For early-career NPs, the first few years can bring doubt, anxiety, fear, and imposter syndrome. Find mentors and preceptors who will guide you, challenge you, support you, and help you grow into the NP role with greater confidence.

To my fellow NPs, when did you start feeling confident in your role?

09/27/2026

Capping off the National Advanced Practice Provider week at Texas NP Conference! Was so good to listen to practice updates, catch up with my co-Legislative Ambassadors, and network with nurse practitioners from all over Texas!