When passion meets purpose, a career becomes more than a profession—it becomes a mission to touch lives. Such is the journey of Dr. Glenn Ford Valdez, a Filipino nurse-educator whose path to nursing began not in a classroom or a hospital, but in the quiet corridors of grief and love.
As a child, Dr. Glenn was fascinated by history and dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. “I could spend hours buried in books about lost empires and art,” he shared with TGFM. But his life took a dramatic turn when his older brother fell critically ill, spending nearly a year in the hospital’s intensive care unit. What began as curiosity about ancient civilizations transformed into a profound admiration for the nurses who cared for his brother. “They worked long hours, caring for my brother as if he were their own,” he said. “Although he ultimately lost his battle, the compassion I witnessed in those nurses planted something deep within me.”
That experience reshaped Dr. Glenn’s destiny. He found himself assisting with basic medical care—using a suction tube, administering tube feedings, and learning the rhythm of hospital life. “The hospital had basically become my playground,” he said. “Sleeping on cold iron benches, dressing up for school, then coming back to care for my brother—it was my routine for over a year.” His brother’s passing became the cornerstone of his calling, igniting a passion to serve, care, and eventually teach.
Building a career from compassion
Dr. Glenn’s journey into nursing began humbly. After earning his Associate in Health Science Education at Manila Doctors College, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Dr. Yangas Colleges Inc., followed by a Master of Arts in Nursing at St. Jude College in Manila, which he finished at the young age of 22. He later pursued dual doctoral degrees—a PhD in Educational Management (St. Jude College) and a Doctor of Nursing Management (Trinity University of Asia). Today, he continues his academic pursuit as a PhD Nursing Science student at St. Paul University in Tuguegarao, proving that education is a lifelong journey.
His first professional steps were as a volunteer nurse in a government research institution, later moving to a secondary hospital as an Operating Room Nurse. These early years, he said, “grounded me in the realities of patient care—long shifts, limited resources, and the immense reward of seeing a patient recover.”
But teaching had always intrigued him. When his alma mater invited him to join the faculty while he was still completing his master’s degree, he accepted the challenge. “Standing in front of a classroom for the first time was nerve-racking but exhilarating,” he said. “I discovered that teaching was not just about the transmission of knowledge; it was an act of caring.”
This new chapter led him to understand that both nurses and teachers share a common core—compassion. “Educators nurture minds and hearts much like nurses care for patients,” Dr. Glenn explained. At just 25, he accepted his first international teaching assignment in the Sultanate of Oman, eager to embrace the unknown.
Lessons from life abroad
Arriving in Oman was both exciting and overwhelming. “The landscape, the climate, the customs—everything was new,” Dr. Glenn recalled. Teaching first-year nursing students alongside a local faculty member came with challenges, especially with communication. “There was little formal orientation, and I remember feeling like I was walking on eggshells, careful with every word and gesture.”
Language barriers became a daily test. Yet Dr. Glenn turned to creativity to bridge the gap, drawing on his background in theatre to make lessons engaging. “I used gestures, facial expressions, and visual aids to convey concepts. Nursing, after all, is universal—it speaks through compassion more than words.”
Navigating cultural sensitivities also shaped his growth. “During Ramadan, some patients would fast despite medical conditions that required nutrition or medication,” he explained. “As a nurse and educator, I had to balance clinical guidance with cultural sensitivity.”
He learned that gender roles were integral in healthcare. “In many settings, strict same-gender care was expected,” he said. “It required thoughtful adjustments in teaching methods and clinical placements to respect cultural boundaries while maintaining learning outcomes.”
Over time, Dr. Glenn immersed himself in Omani life, learning Arabic phrases, joining traditional meals, and embracing local customs. “My adventurous palate helped,” he joked. “I was eager to try everything from aromatic biryani to spiced Karak tea.”
But life abroad wasn’t without challenges. “There were moments of loneliness and self-doubt,” he admitted. “Living far from family and adjusting to new work ethics weren’t easy.” Still, he found strength in the Filipino expatriate community. “They became my second family—fellow dreamers who understood the sacrifices of living abroad.”
Finding purpose in teaching across borders
For Dr. Glenn, teaching nursing in a multicultural environment has been more than a career—it has been a calling to build bridges of understanding. “It’s not just about imparting clinical knowledge,” he said. “It’s about fostering global awareness and compassion.”
He took pride in watching his students grow from timid beginners to confident professionals ready to serve their communities. “Their transformation mirrored my own journey,” he shared. “Every lecture and every mentoring session reminded me that nursing education is as much about heart as it is about skill.”
Dr. Glenn also discovered that teaching in a foreign country required balancing educational innovation with cultural respect. “Some students were used to memorization, while I encouraged critical thinking and reflection,” he said. “The key was finding harmony between progress and tradition.”
After years in Oman, Dr. Glenn moved to Saudi Arabia, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor at Shaqra University. The Kingdom, he said, has provided both stability and purpose. “Contrary to common misconceptions, the Gulf region is one of the safest and most rewarding places to live and work,” he shared. “The hospitality of its people, the respect for educators, and the sense of community among expatriates create an enriching environment.”
He describes life in Saudi Arabia as balanced and fulfilling. “Professionally, the opportunities are abundant—tax-free salaries, comprehensive healthcare, housing, airfare, and generous vacation time,” he said. “But the true reward is contributing to the development of nursing education in a region rapidly modernizing its healthcare systems.”
Working alongside diverse colleagues has also expanded his worldview. “Each faculty member brings a unique perspective,” Dr. Glenn said. “Together, we create a learning environment where students experience the richness of global nursing practice.”
Guiding others through mentorship and research
Beyond teaching, Dr. Glenn has taken on a mission to mentor other educators, especially those new to working in the Middle East. “I understand the uncertainties they face—the cultural adjustment, communication barriers, and being away from home,” he said. “Through mentorship, I strive to make their transition smoother and help them discover the joy of teaching across cultures.”
His academic contributions have extended to research as well, focusing on acculturation, adaptation, and cultural competence among expatriate nurses and educators. These studies, he explained, aim to improve inclusivity and well-being among foreign healthcare professionals. “Presenting my findings at international conferences and publishing them allows me to amplify the voices of those who often go unheard,” he said. “Migrant nurses quietly sustain the world’s healthcare systems.”
For Dr. Glenn, education and research are interconnected acts of service. “Every insight gained helps create better policies and practices for those working far from home,” he said. “Our stories remind the world that caring knows no borders.”
Embracing diversity and humanity
Through his years of teaching and living abroad, Dr. Glenn has come to believe that real education transcends textbooks. “It lives in shared meals, quiet conversations, and mutual curiosity,” he said. “Every encounter with a different culture opens a new window to humanity.”
He describes compassion as the universal language of nursing. “No matter where you practice—whether in Manila, Muscat, or Riyadh—the essence of nursing remains the same: to care, to comfort, and to connect.”
This understanding has shaped him into both a better educator and a more empathetic human being. “Bridging cultural divides requires humility—the willingness to listen, to unlearn, and to grow,” he emphasized.
Inspiring the next generation
To young nurses dreaming of teaching abroad, Dr. Glenn offers heartfelt advice: “The world is waiting for your courage and compassion.” He encourages aspiring educators to prepare diligently—obtain their RN licenses, pursue graduate studies, and sharpen both teaching and research skills. “Be open to learning as much as you teach,” he said. “Build resilience for the moments of homesickness and uncertainty. Every challenge abroad is a lesson in strength.”
He wants future global nurses to understand that the journey is transformative. “You will return home—or make a new home elsewhere—with a heart expanded by the many lives and cultures you’ve touched.”
Going beyond borders
Looking back, Dr. Glenn reflects on how his brother’s illness set in motion a lifelong journey of empathy and purpose. “My brother’s story became the beginning of my own,” he said. From tending to a sick sibling to mentoring future nurses across continents, his path has come full circle.
