“Nursing as an art: and if it is to be made an art it requires an exclusive devotion as hard as the preparation of any painter’s or sculptor’s work…for what is having to do with dead canvas or a dead marble compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s spirit? It is one of fine arts …I have almost said the finest of Fine Arts.” – Florence Nightingale
THE above quotation by the “The Lady with the Lamp” (Italian nurse and health care reform advocate Nightingale’s alter moniker) is analogous to Pablo Casals’s equally sagacious nursing quotation: “The capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.”
Just like in priesthood where many are called but only few are chosen, the Nursing course becomes an ultimate obsession of everyone not only because of the innate passion with a vision to serve humanity but for the demand and lavish compensation attached to it.
Heeding the noble call was fragile-looking with a compassionate heart Laura Garcia, a native of Butuan City and the youngest among the 8 children of Jose Domingo and Teresa Garcia (both deceased).
But on the contrary, Nursing was non-existent in Laura Garcia’s young mind for she was leaning toward writing and dancing, specifically ballet.
“My journey into Nursing did not follow the same path Florence Nightingale trod. It wasn’t neither an awakening nor for a particular purpose but more of a career move following my family’s persuasion,” Laura pointed out in clarification. “I studied ballet since grade school and writing was another passion which was eventually capped by my becoming the Features Editor of our college organ and later PNANJ’s In Touch Newsletter Editor-in-Chief.”
Inevitably, Nursing became embedded into her system. Then soon after she found herself engulfed with very single facet and aspect of Nursing until she finally embraced it as her lifetime career.
The one paramount thing Laura thought of to establish an unyielding grip to her nursing profession was to invest in the pursuit of higher quality education knowing that it won’t only insure her professional career development but contribute to the upliftment of the degree she had painstakingly achieved.
Through continuing education, her acquired professional knowledge will be systematically augmented, her skills will progress proficiently, and her contributions to the quality of healthcare will undoubtedly benefit a greater number of patients and potential healthcare practitioners pursuing a career in like her own.
Through her compassionate concern, caring ways, and gentle touch, coupled with her vast knowledge and experiences, Laura makes her patients feel better even without the benefit of a prescription.
American inspirational writer Orison Swett Marden readily attested to such when he quoted: “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.”
In 1985 Laura came to America not only fortified with bursting optimism but more so with timidity about her meager opportunity in proffering humanistic care in a multicultural setting patently diverse from the very orientation she was familiar with. The nerve-wrecking intimidation merely existed transiently. Strappingly driven by her earnest desire to further enhance her nursing experience and stalwartly focused on the acquisition of edifying advancement in her field, Laura took the “dark clouds in the offing” as sheer challenges that only motivated her to stay emotionally powerful and mentally focused.
A graduate of Silliman University College of Nursing, Laura received her second bachelor’s degree in Communications at Kean University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Although already armed with a Master’s of Arts in Nursing from Southwestern University in Cebu, Philippines, she still opted to earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing (Women’s Health) from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
There seems no stopping Laura from acquiring and accumulating knowledge related to Nursing. Currently she’s a doctoral student pursuing Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) at Farleigh Dickinson University where most of her time are spent writing her doctoral dissertation.
Earlier, in her unparalleled capacity, Laura has had served in various institutions in diversely enviable positions: as an Assistant Dean at Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn, New York; as a Level I Coordinator, Educational Resource Coordinator, and Assistant Professor; and as a teacher in Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing, New York University, Pace University, Trinitas School of Nursing, Farleigh Dickinson University, Essex County College, Morris County College, and SUNY Downstate.
Aside from recently being the proud recipient of the Nursing Educator trophy from the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) in connection with the international celebration of Women’s History Month, Laura has voluminous awards, honors, scholarships, and recognitions neatly stashed under her dainty sleeves worth-mentioning of which are: Brooklyn Nursing Partnership Scholarship as recognized by former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; recipient of the Janet Knup Award for Outstanding Clinical Practice at the Long Island College Hospital; was published in the Holistic Nursing Practice Journal; has been featured in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Having had so much knowledge stocked in her already crowded mind Laura generously shares her thoughts and ideas via researches, theses, and grant proposals.
Despite being academically dynamic and occupied the ever-scholarly nurse educator still finds time not only to socialize and hang out with friends and colleagues but holding well-esteemed official affiliations. Aside from currently the President-elect of Silliman University Alumni Association (New York-New Jersey Chapter), Laura was co-launcher of the Volunteer Global Ambassador for the Honor Society of Nursing: Sigma Theta Tau International. She has served two terms as Press Relations Officer of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey (PNANJ); sits as a member of PNANJ Board of Directors; served as two-term Editor-in-Chief of PNANJ’s In Touch Newsletter Editorial; and Past Vice-President of Education for the Toastmasters Club International Jersey City Chapter.
Her over 20 years experience as a Registered Nurse, primarily in Obstetrics and Pediatrics, and almost 10 years of practice as an educator easily propelled her to an enviable level her peers have long been aiming at. Presently, she’s a clinician at NYU Langone Medical Center and a clinical educator at NYU College of Nursing.
“The acquisition of knowledge is vital in the pursuit of excellence and, therefore, one of my permanent goals is to continue to learn,” Laura unambiguously stated. “I adhere to the maxim that we must all remain students for life. My unswerving thirst for knowledge has manifested itself in a series of academic endeavors — two Bachelor’s degrees and two Master’s degrees.”
“Currently, I’m writing my dissertation for my Doctor in Nursing Practice degree,” the amiable petite nursing guru continues. “As I pursue my educational journey my goal is to remain open to the possibilities that lie ahead, placing virtually no limit on the avenues I may explore, and ready to combat every probable odd.”
For Laura, her professional career is an essential aspect of her life… as her family and relationships the very essence of her existence. Without personal goals, for her, life is an aimless journey lacking in positive direction.
The amiable healthcare practitioner gamely enumerated her personal goals in order: to nurture existing relationship with family…giving priority to family affairs and matters; to be financially stable by decently earning and astutely saving for retirement; to be physically fit, mentally alert, and emotionally secured; and cultivate love for the arts and literature by reading, museum and art gallery tours, watching Broadway shows, and constantly traveling.
“There’s nothing more I could have asked for. Today, I’m contented being a clinical educator preparing students to become good nurses. I realized the road leading into the world of professional nursing is full of adventures…I have seen the joys of birth, the angelic innocence from the face of a newborn, the rapturous reaction of a cancer survivor, the sobriety of an alcoholic, and the unrivaled bliss that nursing brings.”
Laura’s personal and private life
Now it can be told!
After living her life away from her friends’ prying eyes that left everyone at bay guessing with wild speculations, the decorous nurse finally unzipped her lips.
“Yes, my world’s a rose garden…and I’m walking on a petal-showered path that gives me that proverbial cloud nine feeling,” she confessed with unmistakable sparkle in her eyes. “It wasn’t actually that my heart escaped a beat during our initial meeting but, at that very moment, his innate gentlemanliness swept my feet off the floor.”
“And who’s this lucky guy?” I queried pretending not to know the real score.
“Fernando Mendez…you know him, of course!” was her reply without batting an eyelash.
“So, is Nanding the first guy that gave you sleepless nights?” I asked.
“Nah…I was married before. I became a mother at a young age. Actually I already have grandchildren courtesy of my son, now 34, and my daughter, now 32,” was her unswerving response that all the more generated curiosity regarding her real age for the woman before me looks not a day older than 35…(or was my guess rather high?)
Part of the mature adolescent years is falling in love intensely with compelling relationship to the extent of defying the possible perils and unforeseen consequences of early marriage.
Sometime in November of 1981 Laura became a young bride to an equally youthful groom, Marlon Garcia. Their belligerent marital union bore petty indifferences, unbridled emotions, unpredictable tempers, and unsettled issues. Living independently from each other gradually got to the “breaking point of elasticity” that led to the doom of their impetuous early marriage.
They soon realized that they would be better off as friends than to stay together as man and wife. Although painful, an amicable settlement positively offered self-reflection and self-healing effects that made Laura emotionally strapping and competently built her character.
“But the good thing was, we remained close friends until now. There’s nothing derogatory I could say about my ex-husband,” she discloses laced with a quaint smile.
“And how about your new-found love…?” I segued hastily without giving her a chance to prepare.
“Actually I had no idea of who really Nanding Mendez was… not until we became close. I never realized that he’s bigger than life with his impressive achievements, notable connections, and unparalleled status in the community. Later, I discovered, too, that he’s intelligent, very down-to-earth, absolutely serious in business but unpredictably jocular in his own way,” Laura retorted lengthily.
I intriguingly inquired: “Do you see yourself directly involved in Nanding’s annual Fiesta in America event?”
Silence prevailed. Laura cast a meaningful look and emitted a coy smile while grasping for the right words to say. “I don’t want to meddle with what he’s doing lest I’ll be accused of filling in what his wife has vacated,” she paused…as if cautious of what to subsequently say. “But if Nanding needs my input and my participation could make his load less burdensome, then why not? What are we partners for…?”
“Any future plans…?” I asked in closing.
“Well, I can only speak for today…the set-up we both enjoy. I’m happy with him right now and we try to nurture the relationship we have. We seize the moment and enjoy each other’s company ‘cause we don’t know what the future brings!”
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