Honored, overwhelmed, and grateful were just some of the words MedPro International Explorer Dave Merza RN used to describe when his CNO and Leadership Team announced he had won the Daisy Award, the most prestigious award in nursing. His feat, a goal that began as a boy in the Philippines, was earned within his first year as a registered nurse in the United States. “I imagined being a nurse, coming to the US, and winning a DAISY,” said Dave. “Dreams do come true!”
8000 Miles
Aspirations like Dave’s require an inordinate amount of desire, vision, hard work, and sacrifice. Imagine being separated more than 8000 miles and six years from your family. Dave came straight to the US from a nursing position in Saudi Arabia. His journey has been as much a struggle of personal resilience as a test of his clinical skills. The emotional toll of being so far from home, compounded by the challenges of navigating a new healthcare system, would take a toll on the most devoted and experienced nurse.
“I miss my family so much,” Dave said. Yet, not only has he persevered, but Dave has prospered as an ICU/PCU RN in Augusta, Georgia. In addition to his individual accolades, Dave is guiding his three batch mates from MedProU, who were assigned to the same facility) and are on their first assignment abroad. “I tell them, ‘Be strong and steadfast. It’s worth it at the end of the day.’”
Family is at the core of Dave’s journey. His aunt, Berlita Sabas Navarro, who came to California in 1979 to work as an RN, financed Dave’s nursing education. They met for the first time when he was just an infant, and he wouldn’t see her again until last December when he traveled to California for New Year’s. Now, he is passing on the same gift to his nephew Jsrahm Merza Estrada. “He just graduated with a nursing degree in the Philippines, and he dedicated his diploma to me. It makes me feel as if all my hard work is paying off!”
Daisy Award
It’s said that hard work is its own reward. For Dave, his effort and enduring kind spirit would turn what could have been an ordinary shift into an extraordinary night.
At first, the patient was reluctant, resistant even, to accept his care. The patient’s reaction was understandable, considering he had just been admitted to the largest burn center in the US. Yet Dave’s RN experience and compassion gradually softened the patient’s defenses and uncovered a profound connection neither could have imagined they shared.
“He was in pain. He was very ill,” said Dave. “When I told him I missed my family, he asked me where I was from [Olongapo, Philippines] and told me that he had spent time in Olongapo after the Vietnam War. He and his wife had three boys and three girls. I have three sisters and am one of three boys!” The patient then shared that he was celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary, the same day as Dave’s parents.
“The coincidences were amazing,” said Dave. “We both felt this immediate connection.” The next evening, despite being off, Dave picked up an extra shift to look over the man. “The day nurse said he [the patient] couldn’t stop talking about me. ‘Dave this and Dave that.’ It was really funny.” Dave and his patient’s chance encounter that night was forever memorialized after Dave earned the coveted Daisy Award for his exceptional care.
Ongoing challenge
Looking after patients isn’t easy, but Dave loves his job and has navigated the challenges of the position with the support of his MedPro International team. He is extremely grateful to Gabby, RN, BSN, MSN and Chelsea, RN, MSN, his MedProU clinical instructors. “They are very passionate and dedicated to what they do, and someday, I hope to work with them,” said Dave. He is also thankful to his current ERM, Lidia and his former ERM, Ofelia, who supported him during a difficult first six months. “She would ask how I was doing and tell me not to give up, that she knew I would go far. I’m so grateful to her.”
Despite his devotion to his profession and patients, Dave has made time for fun outside of work. He’s traveled to North and South Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, and California. He enjoys taking photos and recording videos of his adventures to share on Facebook. “I want to inspire my Filipino nurses and uplift the Filipino spirit. You can never go wrong with kindness.” Dave is just a year and a half into his assignment, but it’s already a resounding success for him, his patients, and his co-workers. Embracing his mother’s advice to “spread kindness from your heart,” Dave is making a positive impact on everyone around him.