From Classroom to Global Impact: A Filipina’s Journey as a Nurse and Lactation Consultant
A woman endowed with a desire to serve, support and empower lives, especially women, Janice Bustamante-Aton fervently honed her craft in maternity nursing for nearly two decades of service.
Since I became a mother, she has been one of my go-to consultants who gladly shared her expertise and tips in lactation, despite her busy schedule and being a thousand miles away from home in Bohol, Philippines. We’ve kept in touch since then, and I’ve been grateful for her support since day one.
After learning about her recent accomplishments, I couldn’t help but feel proud of what she has achieved. I was deeply enamored to know more about her journey from being a clinical instructor to seizing an international certification that boosted her nursing career.
Her incredible story is one for the books; thus, it was an exciting moment when she agreed to an interview with me to share her narrative that can inspire those who wish to follow in her footsteps.
A Tough But Rewarding Teaching Career
Inside the skills laboratory at the university about fifteen years ago, I was among the flock of nursing students waiting for the lecture to start. Soon, a clinical instructor stepped in with a beaming smile, her eyes almost disappearing into happy curves as she greeted us.
Fondly called Mrs. Aton by her students, her warm personality and charisma radiated everywhere she went. Her affable demeanor made it easier for students to approach her. I was among those who looked up to her expertise in maternal and child health nursing back then.
“I am an outgoing person who likes to be around people, but to be teaching in a university wasn’t exactly what I had in mind,” Janice said. As a working mom of four children, achieving a work-life balance wasn’t an easy feat. She had to spend most of her time teaching hundreds of students at school and supervising them in the clinical area. Her lectures were filled with engaging stories, making the lessons easier to comprehend. “I enjoyed being a clinical instructor. It led me to believe in my capabilities.”
A character often used in her scenarios to further explain WHO’s Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Chart was ‘Andrew,’ and his name became a moniker in the subjects she handled. Later, we found out it was actually the name of her firstborn son, who inherited her love for music.
Hardships came when Janice started her teaching career, but her resilience and determination turned these hurdles into stepping stones toward progress. She transformed criticism into a motivational source to strive harder and improve herself. Not long after, superiors took notice of her stellar performance and offered more challenging roles by sending her to training sessions and seminars.
“My hard work paid off when they allowed me to handle the committee I enjoyed the most – community outreach. It felt fulfilling doing charity work that enabled me to help more people.”
Meanwhile, her teaching prowess forged a solid foundation in her career and the subjects she taught – Community Health Nursing and Pediatric Nursing – became her forte.
An Unexpected Pivot
In 2013, Janice had a chance to visit her brother in the UAE. She tried her luck in looking for a job that suited her skills, specifically in maternal and child care. However, it was a shot to the moon since she had no license to practice as a nurse in the country. Although she found work in the form of special training with a local family, it had to be the most daunting challenge she had ever faced.
“We lived in a very remote area where grocery stores were rare and food was scarce. I kept eating the same food daily, three times a day: it was ‘kubos,’ their local bread, topped with cream cheese,” she recalled.
It didn’t take long for homesickness and depression to settle in, affecting her well-being and mental state. The language barrier also made it more challenging for her to perform her nursing duties. After days of contemplation, she decided to leave her job and search for better opportunities.
Despite her fears, thoughts on what-ifs and uncertainty of the future, Janice persisted and found a silver lining in a new childcare company called Malaak Mama and Baby Care.
She joined a team of eight nurses in December of that same year, just two months after its opening. It perfectly fit her ideal work since it delved more into the maternal and childcare setting.
Soon, she discovered how this promising career became an eye-opener on what it takes to be a maternity nurse in the UAE.
“There’s a stark difference between maternity nurses in the Philippines versus those working abroad,” she explained. “Some may find it offensive to be called babysitters or nannies because of what we do, but I believe in my company’s vision of serving and helping mothers.”
True enough, the efforts and hard work of the pioneering team led to Malaak’s growth to nearly 200 employees, three local branches and an international branch to this date.
Carving Her Path to Success
A combination of grit, passion and love for her children fueled Janice’s desire to grow and improve herself. After months of intensive training, using her days off to travel and attend lectures in a distant location, she finally accomplished an impressive accolade.
Her dreams came to fruition when she passed the International Board of Lactation Consultant Exam in 2016. She obtained an international certification as a Lactation Consultant (LC), making her the 18th LC in the Philippines and a pioneering Filipino LC in the UAE.
Her dedication and genuine service to her clients also earned her a nomination at the Time Out Dubai Kids Awards in 2019. She received the Highly Commended Award under the Special Recognition for Pre- and Post-Natal Care Category. “Always strive to be better in what you do every day. Keeping yourself updated will keep you up in the market,” she remarked.
To show her gratitude for the support the Boholano community gave, she worked with a few breastfeeding moms and advocates in creating a Facebook group. Together, they started the Boholana Mommy Tribe to support and educate moms and moms-to-be in Bohol.
In another article, she shared Seven Breastfeeding Tips for First-time Moms to guide them through the breastfeeding journey. This maternity nurse’s innate trait has always been about helping others in need. While struggling through the first few weeks after I gave birth, her guidance helped me overcome the challenges of being a first-time breastfeeding mom.
Takeaways for Aspiring Nurses
Janice epitomizes a passionate and hardworking nurse who has impacted women and fellow nurses globally.
“Never be afraid to take risks and go beyond your comfort zone; it will do you good in the end,” she revealed.
While nurses are versatile professionals who go beyond duty to serve others, she emphasized the importance of mental health, which shouldn’t be ignored.
“Love and take good care of yourself so you can love and care for others. It will help you become the best version of yourself that can inspire others,” she said.
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2 Comments
Janice
I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for the incredibly inspiring article you created for me. Your thoughtfulness and dedication shine through every word, and I am truly touched by the effort and care you put into this piece. As I read through every word, I cant stop my tears from falling again and again. This article has not only provided me with valuable insights but has also uplifted and motivated me more in ways I cannot express. Thank you so much. Cheers for more of our work. #inspire #empower #support #care
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