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Fleur Magbanua at the launch of her book 'Ate Girl Nurse.' John Saavedra, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784423837660Photo 2.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Fleur Magbanua at the launch of her book &#x27;Ate Girl Nurse.&#x27; John Saavedra, ABS-CBN News</div>PEORIA, Arizona — As conversations about trust and integrity in healthcare continue following recent fraud cases involving some healthcare business owners, a Filipino-American nurse leader is sharing her story in hopes of reminding the public of the values that have long defined the nursing profession.Fleur Magbanua, author of “Ate Girl Nurse,” said her newly released memoir is more than a personal story. It is a reflection on purpose, passion, perseverance, persistence, and paying it forward — lessons shaped by her journey as a Filipino immigrant nurse in the United States.&quot;It&#x27;s perfect timing that we have all these issues about business owners who are nurses that are in the news right now,&quot; Magbanua told ABS-CBN News. &quot;Unfortunately, it&#x27;s about fraud in our healthcare industry. The book actually talks about that. There&#x27;s really no overnight success.&quot;While acknowledging the recent headlines, Magbanua said she hopes the public will not allow the actions of a few individuals to overshadow the dedication and compassion demonstrated daily by thousands of Filipino nurses around the world.<div>A profession built on compassion</div>For decades, Filipino nurses have earned global recognition for their commitment to patient care, often serving on the frontlines in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and communities across the world.Magbanua believes that legacy should remain at the forefront of public perception.&quot;Filipino nurses have been known for our caring and our legacy of caring for the elderly and the sick,&quot; she said. &quot;We are on the global stage for being nurses in the world. I hope people don&#x27;t get discouraged and continue to trust the nursing profession because one bad news story does not ruin the reputation and the hard work of all Filipino nurses globally.&quot;She said one of the book&#x27;s central messages is that success should never come at the expense of integrity.&quot;You will also find in this book how one should always put patients over profit and do the right thing, even when no one is watching,&quot; she said.<div>Lessons beyond the workplace</div>Beyond reaffirming professional values, Magbanua hopes her memoir encourages immigrants, aspiring professionals, and anyone facing setbacks to continue pursuing their dreams.&quot;I want them to be inspired to fuel their dreams,&quot; she said. &quot;Sometimes we feel rejected or believe our dreams have been denied, but really, just keep going.&quot;She encourages readers to remember what she calls the &quot;Five Ps&quot; — purpose, passion, persistence, perseverance, and paying it forward.&quot;Understand why you do things. Love what you do. Be persistent. Persevere and be resilient. Then once you get there, always remember where you came from. And that&#x27;s from the Philippines. Pay it forward.&quot;<div>A message that resonates beyond nursing</div>Those who attended the book launch said the memoir&#x27;s message extends far beyond the healthcare profession.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784423969624Photo 1.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Fleur Magbanua at the launch of her book &#x27;Ate Girl Nurse.&#x27; John Saavedra, ABS-CBN News</div>Startup entrepreneur Riz Syzemore said she connected with the book even though she is not a nurse. &quot;It&#x27;s not just a story about nurses,&quot; Syzemore said. &quot;I&#x27;m not a nurse myself, but I learned a lot. You can be ambitious and be kind at the same time.&quot;Arizona-based registered nurse Ethel said the memoir arrives at a time when healthcare workers need encouragement. &quot;It&#x27;s very timely for us to boost the morale of our nurses, especially amidst this news about fraudulent activities,&quot; she said.Community member John De La Cruz said the book offers lessons for anyone pursuing a meaningful goal. &quot;It&#x27;s not just for nurses. It&#x27;s for everybody who has a dream and wants to overcome life&#x27;s challenges,&quot; he said.Social media manager Santi said the memoir also speaks to immigrants striving to build a better future. &quot;For every immigrant with a big dream, this book shows that anything is possible through hard work and resilience,&quot; he said.Magbanua said one of the most rewarding responses she has received is hearing that readers recognize themselves in its pages.&quot;Many people who have read the book told me they finished it in one sitting because they could relate to the stories,&quot; she said. &quot;It&#x27;s not only my story as a memoir. I believe readers will find their own stories in one of the chapters.&quot;<div>More than a memoir</div>For Magbanua, “Ate Girl Nurse” is more than a memoir. It is a tribute to the compassion, resilience, and quiet sacrifices of Filipino nurses whose work often goes unnoticed but continues to change lives every day.As discussions about ethics and accountability continue across the healthcare industry, she hopes her story reminds the public that the nursing profession should be defined not by isolated headlines, but by the countless healthcare workers who serve their patients with integrity, empathy, and unwavering dedication.She also hopes the book encourages readers to see setbacks not as the end of their journey but as opportunities to grow stronger and pursue their dreams with purpose.For many Filipino immigrants, she said, success is measured not only by personal achievements but by the ability to uplift others and give back to the communities that helped them succeed.&quot;Once you get there,&quot; she said, &quot;always remember where you came from... and pay it forward.&quot;For Magbanua, that simple message is the legacy she hopes readers will carry long after they turn the final page. It is a reminder that true success is built not only through perseverance but through compassion, integrity, and a commitment to serving others.

A Filipino-American nurse leader is sharing her story in hopes of reminding the public of the values that have long defined the nursing profession.

A Filipino-American nurse leader is sharing her story in hopes of reminding the public of the values that have long defined the nursing profession.

Fil-Am nurse hopes memoir inspires integrity amid healthcare fraud concerns

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Fil-Am nurse hopes memoir inspires integrity amid healthcare fraud concerns

ABS-CBN News,

John Saavedra

Published July 19, 2026 04:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Fleur Magbanua

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Ate Girl Nurse

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