Published September 24, 2025
By Arian C. Sibayan
In a remote community of the Municipality of Sablan, nestled deep within the Cordilleras, several groups of third-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students from the University of Baguio embarked on a journey that would test not only their clinical skills but also their resilience, values, and commitment to service. For one week, they lived far from the comforts of the city, immersing themselves in the realities of community health nursing.
The exposure was an experience that challenged them to step out of their comfort zones and discover the essence of what it truly means to be a nurse.
In an aim to reach families scattered across the mountain slopes, we walked for kilometers under the heat of the sun, sometimes on muddy and uneven terrain, and sometimes even being chased by dogs. When we finally arrived in the community, we found ourselves with very limited resources and had to learn how to be resourceful with what was available. Electricity was unstable, water was scarce, and the comforts we were used to were absent. Yet in these conditions, our determination to serve shone even brighter. Healthcare really is not confined within the walls of a hospital or a simulation room; it is in every home we stopped by, in every child we met across the streets and in the integrated schools, and in every client we had the privilege to immerse with.
The immersion gave us the chance to apply our theoretical knowledge in real situations. We worked hand in hand with residents, listened to their unique yet very inspiring life stories, and tailored health solutions that addressed not only medical concerns but also social needs. We came to understand how this experience echoed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially in ensuring healthy lives, promoting well-being for all ages, and fostering partnerships for sustainable growth. It made us proud to see how the University of Baguio is eager to contribute to these goals in meaningful ways.
The immersion was not just about skills. It was also about character. I learned patience as I faced barriers of distance and scarcity. We discovered compassion when we listened to the stories of people whose resilience mirrored our own struggles during the week. This immersion taught us to be adaptable as we made use of indigenous and available materials to continue serving the needs of the community. Through these challenges, we proudly embodied the University of Baguio School of Nursing’s famous tagline: We Build Modern Heroes. It made us understand then that heroes are not defined by grand gestures but by the willingness to serve in the most humble and challenging places.
This immersion opened our eyes to a reality far removed from the urban setting. It was a humbling experience that taught us gratitude. Gratitude for the simple comforts in our homes and in the city, comforts that we had often taken for granted. Gratitude also for the opportunity to serve communities that need us most. More importantly, it deepened our appreciation of nursing as a profession rooted not only in science but also in humanity. I remember saying to myself, “Akala ko nandito lang kami para mag health teaching at mag serbisyo, pero the community taught us more and made us see what really is behind the tall buildings of the city.”
In the end, the one-week exposure was more than a test of endurance. It was the fulfillment of the values and mission instilled in us as student nurses of the University of Baguio. We carried the torch of compassion, competence, and service, proving that even in the most remote corners, the spirit of a UBian Nightingale shines bright. True to our identity, we did not just serve as student nurses. We stood as modern heroes, a living testament to the University of Baguio School of Nursing’s commitment to building future professionals who embody both skill and heart.
