Maria Eden A. Gianan,
DNP, PMH-CNS-BC,ANP-BC

My name is Maria Eden Aguilar Gianan. I was born in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.  I graduated an Associate Degree in Nursing at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Then I obtained Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the La Salle College School of Nursing, Bacolod City, Philippines.

 I emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts at age twenty five to fill the needs of the nursing shortage as well as to help my family’s needs. Prior to going to the United States, I was working in Tagaytay City, where “Taal” volcano is situated- the smallest active volcano and one of the wonders of the world. I worked as an emergency room nurse in a small community hospital as well as a parish nurse.  I used to go down the mountains to take care of the people in the community while the Capuchin Fathers do their spiritual healing among the people. 
To fulfill my goals I had to go back to Boston, Massachusetts to further my education.  I worked as a rehab nurse at Jewish Memorial Hospital then transferred to Hebrew Rehabilitation Hospital where I obtained some scholarship finances.  My passion for psychiatric and geriatric nursing inspired me to advance my career to a master’s degree in nursing at Boston College which specialized on adult psychiatric mental health. 

In 2006, I published a book entitled “Coming to America”. One of the best stories ever told about life’s experiences, which inspired me to further my education by obtaining Adult Nurse Practitioner at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professionals, Boston, Massachusetts.  My career brought me to serve the homeless of Boston at Long Island Shelter. Sooner than later I found myself caring those who served - the U. S. veterans after my training as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. Also, I had a training in subspecialty in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) and Substance abuse Disorder. 

Equipped with the aforementioned educations and training, in 2011         I organized and incorporated my private practice in Cape Cod as well as in Dedham, Massachusetts.  Currently, I maintain and work at these offices, at different days and time of course.
After 20 years, I thought, I am fulfilled with my educational goals. At the advent of the pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic, there came the chaos around me. I needed to focus on something to prevent losing my senses due to burnout state. So, I enrolled in a Doctorate nursing program at Regis College-Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing. Thus, worked with my scholarly project on Compassion Fatigue, as a result obtained my Doctorate of Nursing Practice in 2022 at Regis College, Weston, MA. 

Since then, I was able to share my project on Compassion Fatigue. This topic, have shown as very relevant: 50% of nurses in Canada and 63% on nurses in the US suffered from burnout due to Covid 19 and other stresses in the environment (Nurse.Org). I am glad I did it! If I can make a difference among my colleagues, sharing to them about self -care and other strategies to combat compassion fatigue, it will increase job satisfactions and improve patient care outcomes.

Not to surprise anyone of you, also I am involved as volunteers in the Filipino American Community such as Philippine American Association of New England, Inc. (PAMAS) and the Philippine American Mainstream Advocacy for Nonpartisan Associations, Inc. (PAMANA) I was also the past president of the Philippine Nurses Association of New England (PNANE). I got an award last year, 2022 during the nurses’ week celebration on Excellence on Entrepreneurship. I am currently the president of Philippine Dance and Culture Organization (PDCO), a civic and cultural organization in New England with the mission to spread our Filipino culture thru dances and music.

 

Maraming Salamat po! Means “Thank You,” in Tagalog which is our national language.