Caring in Compassion, Serving with Excellence.
Few moments in a patient’s life feel as vulnerable as going into surgery and waking up after it. For 16 years, Regine Day Teoxon Brutas has made those moments safer. A nurse from Naga City, Camarines Sur, she now works in the Operating Theatre and Post Anesthesia Care Unit of Danat Al Emarat Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The people are her “why”
After all these years, Regine’s “why” is still the people she cares for and the chance to make a positive impact during some of the most important moments of their lives. Knowing that her knowledge, compassion and presence can comfort patients, promote healing and support families gives her work purpose.
She is equally driven by the opportunity to keep learning, grow professionally and mentor others. Seeing patients recover, helping them through challenges and contributing to a collaborative healthcare team remind her every day why she chose nursing.
“Above all, I want my patients and their families to remember that they felt cared for, heard, and safe in my hands.”
Compassion meets clinical knowledge
What keeps Regine committed to the profession is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day, whether by comforting someone in a difficult moment, advocating for a patient or helping someone recover. Nursing lets her combine compassion with clinical knowledge, and the constant evolution of healthcare keeps her learning. The trust patients place in nurses, and the chance to work with a team dedicated to improving health, continue to inspire her.
The kind of nurse she wants to be remembered as
Regine hopes people will remember a compassionate, dependable and respectful nurse who always put patients first: someone who listened without judgment, advocated for her patients, treated everyone with dignity and stayed calm and supportive in difficult times. She also hopes colleagues will remember a team player who was always willing to help, share knowledge and encourage others.
The Filipino touch at the bedside
For Regine, the Filipino touch is genuine compassion, warmth and a strong sense of service: caring for patients with empathy, patience and respect, as she would her own family. She builds trust through kindness, attentive listening and a positive attitude, even in challenging situations, and takes pride in the resilience, adaptability and collaboration Filipino nurses are known for.
“My goal is to help patients feel not only well cared for clinically, but also supported emotionally and treated with dignity throughout their healthcare journey.”
Learning a multicultural workplace
Regine’s biggest culture shock in the UAE was its diverse, multicultural healthcare environment. Suddenly she was working with colleagues and caring for patients of many nationalities, each with their own languages, customs and expectations of healthcare. Adjusting her communication style and learning local cultural and religious practices was challenging at first.
She overcame it by keeping an open mind, asking questions respectfully, learning about different cultures and actively listening. Understanding the UAE’s healthcare standards and cultural values helped her provide more culturally sensitive care, and the experience made her a more adaptable and compassionate nurse.
“To my fellow Filipinos working abroad, remember that your hard work and sacrifices have meaning, even during the most difficult days. Burnout and loneliness are real, and it’s important to acknowledge them rather than ignore them. Take time to care for yourself, stay connected with your loved ones, and lean on your friends and colleagues when you need support.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or take a break when possible. Caring for yourself allows you to continue caring for others. Remember why you started this journey, be proud of how far you’ve come, and celebrate even the small victories. You are not alone, and brighter days will come.”
Filipino Institute features Filipinos at home and abroad whose courage, sacrifice and success inspire others. Tell us your story, or nominate a kababayan whose journey deserves to be heard.
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