In an unprecedented celebration of nursing voices, more than 160 nurses, educators, and students from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao came together today, August 16, for the first-ever NurseWRITE2025: A National Writing Workshop—an event designed to equip Filipino nurses and nursing students with the tools, confidence, and courage to write, share, and publish their work. It is the first event of its kind in the Philippines, aimed squarely at empowering nurses to take their stories, experiences, and expertise beyond the bedside and into the pages of nursing literature, policy briefs, and scholarly platforms.
The event was co-presented by the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network (FiND), Notre Dame of Tacurong College, including its official nursing student publication, The Nurses’ Notes, and the Pacific Nursing Service Organization. The turnout of over 160 participants exceeded expectations and signaled a growing appetite for writing as a means of advocacy, reflection, and professional development in the nursing profession.
What set this workshop apart was its clear message: writing is not an academic chore reserved for a few—it is a collective responsibility and a source of power. Irene Mayo, RN, MCSc., the Director for Engagement of FiND Network, set the tone during her inspirational remarks. “As nurses, we know that writing is not about putting words on the paper,” she emphasized. “It’s about giving our voices. And our experiences. Sharing our knowledge, and creating evidence that strengthens our profession. So, this session is not only about learning the techniques, but also about empowering ourselves”.
Dr. Mary Joy Hermosura of ND Tacurong College who facilitated the workshop said, “Write with purpose and impact. I look forward to sharing with you these insights, so that we can learn from your ideas as well, and the reflections as we go through this journey. Ultimately, writing is not just a professional skill, but also a tool for advocacy. And through your words, through writing, you can shape public perception, influence health policies, and remind society that behind every medical chart is a human history worth sharing.”
Dr. Hermosura’s message struck at the heart of what NurseWRITE 2025 was created for: to reclaim the narrative power of nurses, especially those whose work is often invisible or undervalued. She reminded every attendee that what they write—whether a reflection, a case narrative, a commentary, or a research brief—has the power to move hearts, inform systems, and change lives.
Perhaps most moving was the closing message delivered by Dr. Jerome Babate, the executive director of the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network. Dr. Jerome said, “Today, you have not only developed valuable skills but have also embraced the power of your own voice. You are now equipped to share your unique experiences and contribute to the rich tapestry of nursing literature.”
The organizers see NurseWRITE2025 as just the beginning. Plans are already underway to hold follow-up activities and competitions to further cultivate this growing community of nurse-writers. The hope is to eventually build a pipeline of Filipino nurses who contribute regularly to national nursing literature—ensuring that Filipino perspectives, evidence, and advocacy are woven into the global nursing discourse.
The success of this inaugural event affirms that nurses in the Philippines are not only ready to care—they are ready to write. They are ready to speak. They are ready to lead. And through initiatives like NurseWRITE2025, they now have the support and space to do exactly that.
For many of the 160 participants, August 23 will be remembered not just as the day they attended a workshop—but as the day they began calling themselves writers. And perhaps, as the day they began shaping the future of nursing with their own words.
