With support from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Sigma created the Nurse Learning Exchange to offer a vast collection of FREE courses to help you grow in your expertise, feel more confident in your career, and earn contact hours. We’ve partnered with multiple nursing associations (including SIENNA, which is featured in this article) to make professional development more accessible than ever. The Nurse Learning Exchange is a growing collection of high-quality, free nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) courses designed to support nurses and nursing students at every stage of their careers.
I am Dr. Paul Biluan, a Filipino American nurse currently serving as President of the
Society of Internationally Educated Nurses in North America (SIENNA) . My
journey in nursing began in the Philippines, where I earned my BSN, before migrating to the United States to further my education and serve in various advanced practice roles. I have dedicated my career to improving access to care, advancing diversity
in healthcare, and mentoring underrepresented voices in nursing.
The path for internationally educated nurses (IENs) is one of determination, resilience, and complex transition. As an IEN myself, I am no stranger to the challenges faced by nurses who leave their countries to practice in the US. I shared my own journey
on
A Nurse First in 2022.
This lived experience inspired my advocacy for IENs. I began by coaching nurses to pass the NCLEX, mentoring them through their transition to practice in North America, and developing tools to support their success, including launching the DNP Unlocked
podcast. I also participated in Sigma’s Global Advocacy Academy to deepen my understanding of global health and nursing mobility.
I joined SIENNA as a founding board member to build a platform for IENs that is rooted in mentorship, advocacy, and professional growth. Today, SIENNA stands as a non-profit, immigration-neutral professional association supporting internationally
educated nurses across North America and globally.
SIENNA: A home for internationally educated nurses
SIENNA was established to support IENs at every stage, from those planning to migrate to those already working in North America. Our members span six continents. We provide mentorship, continuing education, peer support, leadership opportunities, and policy advocacy. Through initiatives such as our mentorship program, continuing education webinars, networking events, and our annual convention, we ensure that internationally educated nurses have a platform and a voice.
Our goals are simple but essential: build networks, empower leaders, offer culturally responsive resources, and advocate for equity and inclusion. We represent nurses from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, many of whom do not have established organizations
representing their unique journeys. SIENNA stands in that gap and builds bridges for success.
Joining the Nurse Learning Exchange (NLE): A strategic move
As a long-time Sigma member, I frequently utilize
Sigma’s continuing education
platform to meet my own professional development needs. One day, while exploring new nursing continuing professional development offerings, I came across the Nurse Learning Exchange (NLE). Immediately, I recognized the value this platform could bring
to SIENNA members around the world.
I reached out to Sigma, and in no time, SIENNA became an NLE partner. The alignment was natural, as both organizations champion nursing excellence and inclusivity. Through this partnership, our members, many of whom are early-career or transitioning professionals,
now have free access to continuing education courses globally.
What this means for our members
The NLE partnership is transformative for our members. They now have:
- Free access to high-quality courses in one centralized, intuitive platform
- Opportunities to create and share continuing education courses, authored by SIENNA leaders and educators, reaching both SIENNA and Sigma networks worldwide
- Expanded collaboration opportunities with other organizations under the NLE umbrella, allowing for global engagement and cross-cultural learning
For internationally educated nurses, especially those navigating licensure, practice transitions, or career growth, having access to relevant, accessible, and culturally appropriate education is empowering.
At SIENNA, we believe in meeting nurses where they are. The NLE partnership allows us to do just that—offering knowledge, connection, and opportunity across borders.
As we move forward, we are excited to co-create learning experiences that reflect the diversity of global nursing voices and continue building a legacy of inclusion and excellence.
Paul Biluan, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FFNMRCSI, FSIEN, is a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter and is a past Global Advocacy Academy scholar. He is the founder of Aspire RN and serves as the president of SIENNA.