Topic: Membership 

“Nursing is not easy, but it is worth it.”

Blaise Nieve’s nursing career has taken him across the globe—from the Philippines to the United Kingdom, and now to the United States. Along the way, he’s served as a staff nurse, clinical instructor, program chair, clinical lead, and educator, to name a few. Though the journey was challenging, each step has strengthened his passion for nursing and shaped him into the clinician, educator, and leader he is today.

Blaise first pursued nursing because it was his father’s wish for him. And at first, he struggled. Was this really the right fit for him? But as he started connecting with patients, colleagues, and mentors, he witnessed the heart that drives nursing. He knew then that nursing wasn’t just something he wanted to do; it was something he had to do.

“Each step, whether in practice, education, management, or research, has deepened my understanding of nursing’s power to transform lives and has shaped me into the clinician, educator, and leader I am today,” he said.

Though Blaise now lives and works in the United States, he maintains strong ties to his roots. He virtually teaches nursing PhD students in the Philippines, staying connected to the community that inspired him.

“My family’s sacrifices gave me the drive to persevere, even in the toughest times,” he said. “My mentors believed in me when I doubted myself, and the communities I’ve been part of, whether Filipino nurses abroad, colleagues, or professional organizations, have continually lifted me.”

Throughout his career, Blaise has learned what it truly means to be a nurse. His advice to others: Come with an open heart, a willingness to learn, and always remember “your patients won’t always remember your clinical interventions, but they will remember how you made them feel.”

Blaise Nieve, PhD, PhD, RN, CMSRN, NEA-BC, CAVRN, CPAFH has been a Sigma member since 2021 and belongs to the Psi Beta Chapter. He is a former participant of the Virtual Mini Academy: Global Advocacy. Blaise obtained his PhD in nursing in 2024 from the San Pedro College in the Philippines, though he currently works at Duke University Hospital in the United States. Recently, he was recognized as one of the 2025 Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina, USA, a success which he attributes to the support of his colleagues who have believed in him. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue serving his community in North Carolina while shaping the next generation of nurses in the Philippines.

“How are you going to support your baby?” That question, asked just one day after giving birth at 18 years old, lit the spark that turned Karla Gochenour into a nurse, a leader, and a role model.

“I became a nurse because I wanted to be someone who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and changes lives through presence,” she said.

Karla had always been a C student, but she quickly learned that it wasn’t because she lacked ability, but because she hadn’t found meaning. Until now. The day she discovered nursing, the fog, as she described it, lifted.

She went from having a GED to working towards her DNP.

“I fought for every degree, every opportunity, every ounce of respect in rooms I wasn’t expected to enter, let alone lead,” she said. “Today, my son—now 24—is my greatest supporter…he remains my 'why.’”

Her son witnessed every setback and sacrifice that ultimately led to her success. She refused to give up on herself because she knew he was watching, and she needed to prove to him that every “no” can become fuel for something greater.

Karla’s purpose lies in nursing, but that is not her only major accomplishment. Outside of scrubs, Karla embraced another challenge—pageantry. In 2023, she was crowned Mrs. USA Globe. Now, she uses her title and visibility to advocate for women’s health, mental health, and access to ethical hormone care. She even wrote a book, Breaking Labels, Defying Limits: The Journey of a Single Teenage Mother to Mrs. USA.

Her hard work continues to pay off, and she recently accepted the opportunity to become a Sigma nurse. She sees her membership not just as recognition, but as a platform to continue leading with heart.

“I’m proud to be part of a community shaping what nursing can become,” she said. “It’s not just about credentials—it’s about character. It means standing in your purpose, uplifting others, and committing to lifelong leadership.”

While she finishes her DNP, Karla serves her community as the founder and lead nurse practitioner at Pineland Aesthetic Medicine, a concierge medical practice focused on hormone optimization and medical weight loss. She hopes to expand her practice, mentoring future clinicians, shaping ethical aesthetic and hormone medicine, and using her story to ignite hope in those who have been overlooked or underestimated.

Karla’s story may be unconventional, but it is proof that showing up and persevering matters. And that’s what she wants aspiring nurses to take with them throughout their journey.

“Your path won’t look like anyone else’s—and that’s your power. Let your ‘why’ anchor you when the work gets hard. Keep learning. Keep rising. You will become someone you’re proud of.”

Karla Gochenour, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is a member of the Phi Pi Chapter of Sigma. She was invited to join in 2025 and was officially inducted virtually on 16 August. Her DNP is in progress through Chamberlain University. 

Pain has controlled Lillia Mrza’s life since she was just 13 years old. But in the year leading up to graduating nursing school, the pain became too much to bear, leaving her bedridden for days at a time.

After countless dismissals from professionals and several visits to the ER, Lillia was finally introduced to a specialist who would provide a diagnosis—and more importantly, eventually—relief. During a laparoscopy, an investigative procedure of the abdomen, she was officially diagnosed with endometriosis and had all her endometrial tissue removed. Despite this being an outpatient procedure, she was forced to stay in the hospital overnight because of her pain.

This all happened the week before her final exams.

“My family and friends tried their best to support me and encouraged me to just focus on the exams so I could finish the program,” Lillia said. “I was the last person to take the last exam and it was just my professor and I in the room. I broke down in tears when I turned it in, afraid of the unknown.”

Lillia had always known she was passionate about helping others and knew for a long time that she wanted to be a healthcare provider. It wasn’t until her grandmother, “Nana Gina,” was diagnosed with a fast-progressing case of Alzheimer’s disease that Lillia knew exactly what she wanted to be—a nurse. After all, her grandmother had been a nurse first in Iraq, before her family immigrated to the United States.

“She was an inspirational woman to us all and the most hospitable person I had ever met,” Lillia said. “It was while spending this time with her [after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis] that I knew after this chapter closed, the next chapter would be dedicated to finally pursuing my calling to become a nurse.”

Her perseverance paid off. She is currently transitioning into a new role to work as a Registered Nurse Investigator for the State of Arizona. 

Lillia was invited to join Sigma in 2022, but because of battles with her health at that time, she was forced to miss her ceremony. She chose to preserve her wellness as much as she could so that she’d be able to attend graduation instead.

“It was really hard for me to have missed out on getting inducted with my classmates,” Lillia said. “At the same time, I was so happy to see those purple cords around them on our graduation day.”

In April 2024, Lillia’s chapter, Zeta Beta, invited her back to her alma mater to officially be inducted into Sigma. Though graduation had long passed, she finally got her honor cords to wear with pride.

“I can’t believe that I had the chance to stand up there with my professors and join Sigma,” Lillia said.

Now years after her diagnosis, Lillia says life is good. “I am so grateful for everything that was ahead of me following my diagnosis and first procedure. I feel truly accomplished to have passed my boards, gained a certification, and have had a couple of years' experience as a nurse.”

While she still experiences pain from time to time, she has discovered a community of women with the same diagnosis, and she finds comfort in sharing her struggles with them.

“I no longer feel alone or confused,” she said. “Reading others' experiences and learning remedies to manage symptoms has helped me tremendously.”

Like all Sigma nurses, Lillia demonstrates the attributes of Sigma—love, courage, and honor. But she has gone above and beyond to show that she has courage, and that no amount of adversity could stop her from achieving her goals.

As her nursing journey continues, Lillia looks forward to improving the health of patrons across Arizona and hopes to one day network with all of the generations of nurses she has met at a Sigma conference.

Bijaya Deuja has served as a valuable nurse leader in both Nepal and the United States, making a significant global impact. From working for and with the Nepal law enforcement to serving as a UN peacekeeper, Bijaya’s focus always remains on care.

“Whether it's providing comfort and care during difficult times, advocating for their needs, or celebrating their recovery, the ability to make a difference in someone's life is incredibly rewarding,” she said.

As the Sub-Inspector at the Nepal Police Hospital, Bijaya cared for the physical and mental health of the Nepal police personnel and their families. She also responded to disasters, national crises, and some emergency situations—in which she acted as both a nurse and law enforcement officer, protecting and healing the public.

In 2015, a catastrophic earthquake struck Nepal. Bijaya not only worked in the hospital to provide care to the injured, but she also successfully conducted a comprehensive project of psychosocial counseling, stress management, first aid, and free health camps. With the help of her associates, the Nepal Police Department worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide rescue services, support, and care to the entire disaster zone.

While serving simultaneously as a police officer and a nurse was not easy, Bijaya says she simply wanted to serve people in every way possible.

“I wanted to be a role model for women around the globe, demonstrating that dedication and commitment to serving others knows no boundaries,” she said. “I believe that by showcasing my versatility in these two distinct fields, I can inspire and empower women to break down barriers and work towards a common goal of humanity.”

But her impact is far greater than her service to Nepal’s community. During her tenure as a senior nursing officer for the United Nations (UN) from 2018-2019, Bijaya was awarded the UN Medal of Peacekeeper for her service in the Peacekeeping Operations mission.

During her time at UN, Bijaya was responsible for providing humanitarian assistance, networking with UN police officers, and providing awareness and understanding to protect citizens and make the peacekeeping force approachable to women in the community. Thanks to her experience in both nursing and police force duties, she was able to successfully reduce conflict and confrontation in the communities she supported.

As a nurse in the UN, her role involved providing medical care and support to personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping operations. In any given mission area, she would care for patients and officers in her hospital while simultaneously working with other medical personnel to ensure the well-being of everyone in the affected area. She also fulfilled her duties as an officer in the UN by patrolling, offering security, and escorting officials.

Though adapting to diverse communities and cultures—as well as the physical and emotional impact of the role—presented challenges, Bijaya found the opportunity to serve in the UN to be rewarding.

“The appreciation and recognition received from international police officers, women's networks, and UN dignitaries for our hard work and dedication served as a source of motivation and fulfillment. The sense of making a positive impact on the lives of those in need was truly rewarding and gratifying,” she said.

Now, Bijaya continues to serve the communities around her as a bedside nurse, though her goals have shifted from global care to focused, patient-centered care.

“Overall, the transition from working for the UN to becoming a bedside nurse requires a shift in focus from global issues to individual patient care, as well as a new set of skills and competencies,” she said. “While the two roles may seem vastly different, both involve serving others and making a positive difference in the world, albeit in different capacities.”

Bijaya’s service to the world is recognizable, not only through the prestigious awards she has received, but also through her impact. No matter where—or how—she serves, Bijaya embodies global nursing excellence. 

Raymond Kristopher G. Pagulayan, MSN, BSN, RN, officially became a nurse in 2008 and began his career in a trauma hospital in the Philippines. Now, he is the Senior Registered Nurse at the Intensive Care Unit of Mediclinic Middle East Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

After 15 years of service, Raymond says he is beyond proud to be a nurse.

“I am honored to be part of a profession that allows me to make a real difference in the world,” he said. “Whether it’s providing comfort and care to those in need or simply being a listening ear, I know that my work can brighten someone’s day.”

As a seasoned nurse, Raymond has learned a lot about what it takes to have a successful, fulfilling career. To early career nurses, he offers this advice:

1. Take your studies seriously. It is not just about getting good grades, but it’s also about equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in your career, whether that be at the bedside or in a leadership role. With each new concept that you learn, you will become better equipped to provide exceptional care to your patients.
2. Always remember why you decided to become a nurse. Think back to the excitement you felt when you first held your stethoscope and assessed a patient. Recall the sense of purpose and fulfillment you experienced when you saved a patient’s life during your clinical rotations. These moments are what makes nursing such an incredibly rewarding profession.
3. Know you have the power to make a positive impact on the world, one patient at a time. Always strive to provide the best possible care to your patients. Be kind, compassionate, and empathetic. Remember that the little things matter and that a simple act of kindness can make a world of difference to a patient who is struggling.

Raymond is filled with a sense of purpose and excitement when he thinks about the years to come. He looks forward to continuing to provide exceptional care, making a difference, and inspiring others to do the same.

A member of the Phi Gamma Chapter, Raymond attributes his confidence in delivering high quality care to the experiences he’s had with Sigma.

“[Sigma] has reinforced the importance of maintaining a rigorous standard of care and has inspired me to continue learning and growing as a nurse,” he said. “Nursing is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires a strong commitment to patient care, a willingness to work collaboratively, and a dedication to ongoing learning and professional development.”

Raymond believes he was called to be a nurse, and it is his mission to make a significant impact on the lives of others any and every chance he gets. He also knows that together, nurses are stronger.

“Together, we can inspire and uplift each other and make a positive impact on the world, one patient at a time,” he said.

Sigma member and proud volunteer Brittany Beasley, PhD, RN, CNE, first became involved with Sigma while pursuing her PhD at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing in 2015. Since her induction, she has risen from the ranks of treasure and vice president to being elected as Gamma Xi at-Large Chapter’s president in 2021.

Through participation and engagement at Sigma sponsored events, Brittany gained firsthand insight into the impactful work being done by Sigma and the avenues through which she could contribute as a volunteer. This insight into the Sigma community ultimately inspired her to pursue volunteer opportunities aligned with her passion for nursing and commitment to professional development.

One of Brittany’s most memorable and proudest experiences during her time volunteering with Sigma was leading the initiative to amend her chapter’s charter. This significant endeavor involved expanding the chapter's reach to encompass five additional universities and colleges of nursing across Arkansas, solidifying its status as an at-large chapter. The culmination of this effort was marked by an impactful chapter amendment ceremony held in 2023.

Amidst the celebration and sense of accomplishment, one moment stands out in Brittany’s memory: the opportunity to meet Ms. Jan Bowen, an original charter member of the Gamma Xi Chapter dating back to 1978. Meeting Ms. Bowen at the ceremony was not only a humble experience but also a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy and impact of Sigma. Brittany was honored to connect with someone who had played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for her chapter's growth and evolution over the years.

To anyone considering volunteering with Sigma, Brittany says, “Sigma Nursing embraces the individual journey of each volunteer and understands that life responsibilities may fluctuate. Whether you have a few hours to spare each month or can dedicate more time, Sigma Nursing values and supports your contribution. Sigma Nursing is what you make it. Your involvement can be as fulfilling and manageable as you choose, and the organization is there to support you every step of the way.”

Brittany Beasley, PhD, RN, CNE, currently works as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the College of Nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Brittany is the president of Gamma Xi at-Large Chapter.

Jade Lugtu, BSN, RN-BC, has spent over a decade at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, to which she credits great personal and professional growth.

Though she’s served in many positions over the years, Jade is proud to share that she is now a preceptor for new hires, sharing her knowledge and skills with the new nurses in the medical-surgical care unit.

“It is rewarding to watch new nurses grow from novice to expert nurses and I'm so proud to be a part of their journey,” she said.

In this role, Jade works to set an example for empathy in patient care. With each patient, she takes the time to listen, understand, and empathize to ensure that her patients receive the best care possible. She also hopes that in leading by example, she will support the next generation of nurses to become patient-centered caregivers.

Focus on patient care has always been a priority for Jade. In fact, she chose to become a nurse because of the opportunity it provides to make a positive impact on lives. Her fundamental need to contribute to the well-being of others was a driving force in her decision to pursue nursing.

“My desire to positively impact the lives of those in need has shaped my journey, guiding me toward a fulfilling and purposeful career dedicated to the well-being of others,” she said. “The ability to provide comfort, support, and healing is incredibly rewarding.”

Jade’s enthusiasm for nursing is ongoing, as she is finishing up her master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis in education. She’s also working with a colleague on a program called the “ESCAPE Delirium Bundle,” a quality improvement project that focuses on reducing fall rates among the elderly and improving patient-centered care. They have already seen the impact of their project, as the fall rate has significantly decreased in their unit. 

It's clear that Jade is passionate about what she does, and her dedication is evident. Yet, she continues to credit the leaders, teams, and colleagues at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester that have supported her.

“Each day within the institution's walls has propelled my personal and professional development, emphasizing the incredible impact this place has had on my life,” she said. “I have evolved as a nurse clinician, a leader, a compassionate caregiver, and most profoundly, as an individual.”

Affectionately dubbed as “iskolar ni Auntie”—which translates to "aunt’s scholar”—by his family, Jerico G. Alicante, RN, is not one to be afraid of new opportunities.

Jerico grew up in the Philippines, where he saw several of his close family members pursue nursing careers in the United States. It wasn’t long until he was following in their footsteps. He credits his success to his family’s financial and emotional support in pursuing a career in nursing.

“Nearly two decades after completing my nursing education, I find myself in the US, reigning my clinical practice passion, deeply rooted in the art of healing,” he said. “Today, I embrace the opportunity to pay it forward and support others, just as my family supported me.”

Jerico works as a clinical nurse in the Advanced Heart Failure Department at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, USA. In March 2023, he founded Nurse Echo, LLC, a venture dedicated to offering mentorship, fostering career development, and providing consultation services to nurses at various stages of their careers. He has a vision to expand Nurse Echo, LLC into a global beacon for leadership development and worldwide consulting.

He often finds himself stepping up to be a leader. In his nine years of Sigma membership, Jerico has served in considerable roles for the Sigma Foundation of Nursing, the Sigma Asia Global Regional Committee, and served a judge for the International Awards for Nursing Excellence. Jerico has also dedicated significant time to his chapter, Alpha Eta.

“These experiences and engagements with Sigma have been instrumental, serving as steppingstones in my journey to becoming an emerging global nursing leader,” he said. 

Though Jerico takes pride in his many accomplishments, he is most proud of the difference he gets to make for his patients. Moments when his patients show gratitude for his compassionate care stick with him and help him stay motivated and inspired in all that he does.

“They serve as reminders of the profound impact we as nurses have on individuals during their vulnerable moments,” he said. “Commitment to compassionate care and always doing right by the patient is, to me, the most meaningful accolade I can receive in my nursing career.”

One of the ways Jerico strives to provide compassionate care in through finding small, intimate ways to connect with his patients. As a night shift nurse, Jerico often is tasked with giving early morning CHG baths. Instead of falling into a pattern with this routine task, he turns it into an opportunity to form genuine conversations and connections.

“Through these baths, I engage in enriching conversations, [like] understanding their medical histories, listening to their family anecdotes, exchanging views on diverse topics like faith, reminiscing about memorable trips to places like Europe, and even sharing personal stories, such as the significance of my own tattoo with patients who have their own inked memories,” he said. “These small yet profound moments of connection epitomize the true art and essence of care in nursing for me.”

In the coming years, Jerico plans to continue to live up to his legacy as the “aunt’s scholar.” He aspires to complete his DNP and plans to re-enter the teaching domain to help form the next generation of nurses.

If you’re an early career nurse, new to the opportunities and challenges of nursing, Jerico offers this advice:

Have confidence in your skills and capabilities. Avoid falling into the trap of feeling like an impostor. The fact that you've become a nurse is a testament to your determination, hard work, and belief in yourself. Keep believing in yourself, stay dedicated to your purpose, and never forget that every step you take, every challenge you overcome, is shaping you into a more skilled, compassionate, and confident nurse. The more you trust in your potential and capabilities, the more you'll realize how much you can achieve and contribute to the nursing profession.

Have you ever been faced with a challenge so difficult you didn’t know if you could achieve it? A challenge that might’ve taken years to accomplish but you never stopped pushing because that inner voice of yours kept propelling you forward, knowing that you would make it because you are more than capable of achieving great things?

Sigma member Dionne DeMille knows this all too well. As someone who was born deaf, people told her she could never be a nurse. But she set out to prove them wrong.

After becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in 2000, Dionne’s journey could’ve ended there. Needing to stop school to support her five children, one of whom became a medically fragile child, Dionne put her nursing dreams on hold. She admired all the nurses who had shown her family unlimited compassion over the years and knew that she wanted to pay it forward one day. 

 
That day came 17 years later when she obtained her Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and then later completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), becoming valedictorian at each graduation. But she knew she wasn’t finished and achieved her Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education (MSN-Ed), graduating with a 4.0 GPA. After graduation, Dionne accepted an offer to become part of the Nightingale College Faculty Team where she gives others the encouragement that they need to get through their hard days.

When the opportunity came to start a Sigma chapter at Nightingale College, Dionne was thrilled and immediately knew that she wanted to be a part of the team responsible for making it happen. Throughout the process, Dionne says they have gone from individual faculty members to now a cohesive support system. She said, “We have laughed together, struggled together, and figured out a way to bring this amazing organization to Nightingale College."

Dionne enjoys being a positive role model for others and is proud to be able to pay it forward. “From learners who never thought they would even make it to the end of their program, and now look at them!” But her own journey isn’t over yet. Dionne still has more dreams to accomplish.

Dionne DeMille, MSN-Ed, BSN, ASN, LPN, currently works as an instructor of Nursing Education Services at Nightingale College and is also enrolled in a DNP program. Dionne is a founding member of Alpha Beta Xi Chapter, chartered on 11 November 2022, and currently serves as the Treasurer.

Interested in starting a Sigma chapter? Visit https://www.sigmanursing.org/connect-engage/chapters/starting-a-sigma-chapter or email us at developingchapters@sigmanuring.org.

Chizimuzo Okoli, PhD, MPH, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NCTTP, FAAN, discovered the research path to which he would dedicate his nursing career while pursuing his undergraduate degree. What started as a research internship developed into a passionate goal to improve mental and behavioral wellness through tobacco treatment initiatives.

Chizimuzo’s nursing journey began in 1999 upon completion of his undergraduate degree. Over the next several years, he went on to complete several master’s and doctorate degrees, and a second degree in philosophy. Afterwards, Chizimuzo spent five years in Canada, where he completed two postdoctoral fellowships at the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Center of Excellence for Women’s Health. There, he focused on the intersections between tobacco use, mental health and substance use, and sex and gender. Most recently, during COVID-19, he completed a post-master’s certificate to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Chizimuzo embarked on the start of his long career in nursing research when he worked as a research intern on health policy projects related to smoke-free environments. While he was pursuing his graduate degrees and postdoctoral fellowships, he continued this research and focused on examining the effects of smoke-free laws on environmental health and addictive behaviors. The goal was to find ways to address the ‘hidden’ tobacco epidemic among people living with mental and behavioral health challenges.

“Tobacco use and dependence is the number one cause of preventable disability, disease, and mortality in the US,” Chizimuzo said. “Ultimately, such engagement can greatly reduce the unnecessary and exorbitant tobacco related morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population.”

His current research program focuses on enhancing mental health and behavioral wellness in diverse populations. Central to this research is a continued focus on finding ways to enhance evidence-based tobacco treatment engagement. This engagement involves enhancing the capacity of mental and behavioral health professionals to deliver tobacco treatment through strategic and innovative training, such as simulated and virtual trainings. It further targets people with mental and behavioral health challenges by increasing their understanding and participation in tailored tobacco treatment programs.

“I’ve seen many people with mental and behavioral health challenges living lives which are tobacco-free and achieving recovery,” Chizimuzo said. “What I’d really like to see change is the stigma towards people living with mental illnesses and more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible mental and behavioral health treatment services globally,” he added. 

Examples of some of the approaches his research has implemented so far include:

• Behavioral health ‘quit and win’ programs
• Tailored tobacco treatment programs within community mental health and addiction services
• The development of tobacco dependence clinics within hospital settings
• Supporting mental and behavioral health settings in tobacco control initiatives (e.g., becoming tobacco-free environments and instituting tobacco treatment programming)

His research has helped several mental and behavioral health services incorporate tobacco control efforts within their programming. He’s also seen an increase in illness prevention and wellness adoption in several settings.

“It is such a privilege to be in a profession where I can walk alongside people as they are actualizing their full potential in life,” Chizimuzo said. “I have a deep belief in the ability of people with mental and behavioral health conditions to achieve recovery; and I work hard, through my practice and research, to reduce impediments to recovery.”

Chizimuzo Okoli, PhD, MPH, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NCTTP, FAAN, has been a Sigma member since 2004 and is a member of the Delta Psi Chapter. He is a tenured professor at the University of Kentucky. He also currently serves as the executive director of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BE WELL) research program at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, the director of Mental and Behavioral Health Research and Evidence-Based Practice at Eastern State Hospital, a Nurse Scientist with UKHealthcare, and a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner at New Horizons Psychiatry. Learn more about Chizimuzo’s research at https://bhwell.uky.edu/research.

Fausto Armando Duarte Rios made two promises—the first to himself, the second to his mother. Both of these promises inspired him to be who he is today.

When his grandmother suddenly fell ill and he couldn’t do anything to help her in her last moments, Fausto was inspired to choose a profession dedicated to patient care.

“I promised myself that as long as I was caring for a sick person, I would not only do so with professionalism, but also with emotional support and empathy towards the patient’s family as well,” he said.

His second promise, to his mother, was that he would be an example for his brothers and sisters to help them all achieve their goals.

Throughout his education, Fausto realized something he had to do to fulfill those promises—he had to become a change agent to make the nursing profession visible and generate impact at all levels.

“I realized that in the hospital, I could make a positive difference for some patients, but by caring and advocating for necessary changes that improve public health and health policies, it could benefit not only thousands of more patients, but also employment and working conditions of the health professionals,” he said.

To help achieve this mission, Fausto participated in the second cohort of the Nursing Now Challenge (formerly the Nightingale Challenge) through Sigma. This initiative was created as a leadership development opportunity and works to form networks of young health professionals across the world.

“[The Nursing Now Challenge] opened the doors to another level of leadership experience,” Fausto said. “I had the opportunity to meet great young leaders in the nursing world and also gained the confidence to go out of my comfort zone.”

As part of the Nursing Now Challenge, Fausto is also a member of the Challengers Committee—a team dedicated to identifying innovative ways to support nurses and midwives in their roles as health leaders, professionals, and advocates, and to demonstrate that nursing and midwifery are exciting and rewarding careers to improve health recruitment and retention on a global scale.

Fausto said that great agents of change have emerged from the Nursing Now Challenge, and he hopes to do his part to improve nursing visibility and have a positive impact on the profession. Thanks to the skills he obtained from the challenge and his mentors, Fausto has secured a new position working in the United States at El Centro Regional Medical Center.

As Fausto continues to develop himself as a leader—an agent for change—and works to fulfill the promises that started it all, he’s grateful for the opportunity he’s had to learn from other young leaders around the world. His commitment to the Nursing Now initiative remains.

“My wish is to see nursing as a valued and respected profession around the world,” he said “We are a legacy of great nurses; it is now up to us, the youth, to protect nursing around the world. One world, one nursing.”

Fausto Armando Duarte Rios, BS, graduated in 2020 from the Autonomous University of Baja California in Mexicali, Mexico. He is preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam and hopes to soon apply for the NCLEX. Fausto belongs to the Tau Alpha Chapter of Sigma.

Deborah E. Jones, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CNE has been a nurse for over 20 years, and through it all, she had one person by her side—her son.

She hadn’t always planned to become a nurse. In fact, she first received a bachelor’s degree in natural science and mathematics with a minor in chemistry and health education. Deborah decided to pursue a nursing career because she easily connects with others and shows concern, but she also had her son in mind when she chose this path.

“I became a single mother after a divorce, and I knew that nursing could provide a way for me to continue the standard of living that my son and I had become accustomed to,” she said.

While in nursing school, Deborah worked full-time as a patient care technician (PCT) in the burns and trauma unit to support herself and her son while her degree was still in progress. After graduation, Deborah worked in various positions at different hospitals. She then received her master’s degree, and eventually, her doctorate degree in nursing research. After receiving her PhD, she worked as an assistant professor at several universities, then later, served as a dean at Hampton University. After four years in deanship, she decided to pursue a nurse practitioner role, following the MSN-PHMNP track at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Through all these changes, challenges, and achievements, Deborah’s son, Gregory, was with her. 

“He was instrumental in helping me obtain my PhD,” Deborah said. “He would go to Lister Hill Library with me to locate and copy the journal articles for papers and my dissertation research. We would divide and conquer! He has seen me through all my nursing degrees.”

Little did she know then, that one day, he would follow in her footsteps.

Deborah still remembers a conversation in which someone told her that nurses should encourage their children to pursue nursing, but Gregory told her he wanted to own a funeral home. Still, though she didn’t ever expect him to become a nurse, his choice to pursue nursing just seemed right. She knew this was the career for him.

“I took him by my unit at University of Alabama Birmingham on Sundays after church to visit with my patients. He had a way of cheering the patients up and they would be happy to meet my son,” Deborah said. “He also had to spend the night in the critical care unit when I would go in to cover a call-out. He would always find himself out on the unit after being told to stay in my office.”

Gregory said that he always knew he wanted to make a positive difference in the world. He just did not always know that a nursing career was going to be the path that took him there.

“I intimately witnessed my mother navigate her journey through the paradigm of nursing from the very beginning. That gave me the opportunity to experience many nurses and understand the value of what nurses bring to our country,” Gregory said. “I was refreshed by the flexibility of nursing, and I knew that I would be able to design my own altruistic lane if I thought outside the box and applied myself.”

Gregory earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Leadership Studies in 2014 from Hampton University. Now, he is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice. In 2020, he was inducted virtually into Sigma Nursing. Deborah attended his ceremony on Zoom, just as he attended her induction ceremony at the University of Alabama at Birmingham 20 years ago.

“Being inducted into Sigma myself felt pretty nostalgic,” Gregory said, thinking back on his attendance at his mother’s ceremony.

After graduating, Gregory spent two years in a remote access clinic nursing for the Dine’ and Hopi tribes in northern Arizona. He then moved to Olympia, Washington, where he worked in involuntary crisis stabilization and jail diversion work for three years, then went on to do a mixture of voluntary and involuntary crisis stabilization work for civil populations in addition to competency restoration work with mentally ill offenders across cities in Washington.

Deborah and Gregory have a lot in common as a mother-son duo, like their passion for nursing and their membership in Sigma. Through every phase of Deborah’s nursing career, she could take comfort in having her son by her side.

Now, she is elated to be able to do the same for him. In 2021, the two secured a grant together to open the first ever peer-run mental health respite in Washington that helps people with mental health challenges to successfully transition from more restrictive settings back into the community. They hope to open the facility by the end of the year.

Deborah E. Jones, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CNE is a member of Sigma’s Nu Chapter. She is a Sigma Foundation for Nursing Virginia Henderson Fellow and was in Sigma’s first class of Scholars in the Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy. She has volunteered to review grant applications and any other opportunities through the Foundation. She is currently practicing full-time as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Baltimore, Maryland, and continues to volunteer as a grant reviewer and other opportunities. She also is the Clinical Director at Lucid Living, LLC.

Gregory Jones II, BS, RN, joined Sigma in 2020 and is a member of Delta Chapter. He currently serves as the Clinical Director of Peer Services at  Lucid Living, LLC, a healthcare delivery organization that works passionately to facilitate and provide less restrictive support to psychiatric populations in their community.

Edlynn Villalon, RN, BSN, was born in one the poorest and most underdeveloped areas of the Philippines where she shared her home with other families, used gutter water as chalk for games of hopscotch as a child, and had nothing to shower with other than a bucket of water to pour over her head. She moved to Los Angeles, California, USA when she was 7 years old, but those memories of her life in the Philippines stuck with her and led her to start a mission to make a change in the world.

Although Edlynn started with a career as a special education paraprofessional, she worked for three years before deciding she wanted a change—she wanted to be a nurse and change lives. She received her associate degree in nursing from Pasadena City College, her bachelor’s degree from Capella University, passed the NCLEX in 2016, and is now pursing her master’s degree in nursing.

While finishing her Bachelor of Nursing, Edlynn was nominated to join the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) in which she completed three certificates: leadership, advanced leadership, and executive leadership. To complete the executive leadership certificate, Edlynn had to create a “Better World” project that would provide a contribution to making the world a better place. She took this project as an opportunity to relate back to the life she lived in the Philippines.

“I thought about a project that would help the environment while assisting those living in poverty,” Edlynn said. She knows what it’s like to live like that.

She created the Recycle and Rejoice project and began collecting recycled materials and using that money to make care packages for individuals living in homelessness in the Los Angeles area. She started recycling water bottles, cans, and other household items and encouraged her friends and family to help out. Within a few months, she was ahead her project goal.

In November 2020, she created a website to help her expand her impact. While her project was only supposed to last for a one-year trial period to complete her certificate, Edlynn doesn’t plan on stopping it any time soon. She’s now converted her project to target Los Angeles students in her community by using the money from the recyclables to purchase school kits with backpacks, pens, pencils, etc. for those in need.

“[The Recycle and Rejoice project] will be helping homeless individuals living in skid row, homeless students, and hopefully, later on, help those in another country,” Edlynn said.

Edlynn has long been told she has a caring personality and always puts others first. That is why she became a nurse and why she continues to pursue Recycle and Rejoice. She hopes that can use her career in nursing to network with others who want to help and raise awareness so that one day, they can put an end to homelessness together.

“As a nurse, it is my mission to spread awareness to the nursing community about how little it takes to make a difference in someone’s life while helping the environment as well,” Edlynn said.

For more on Edlynn’s project, visit her website at www.recyclerejoice.com.

Volunteer Experience:

Volunteer Experience: