He passed the nursing board exam, but the real test came on a battlefield in Maguindanao.
MANILA, Philippines – Major Jano Cyrill Reyes was ready to care for patients in hospitals after passing the December 2010 Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE).
But life led him down a different path—he became a soldier in the Philippine Army, trading hospital corridors for frontlines where every decision could mean life or death.
 |
| Provided photo: Jano Cyrill Reyes |
Even as a soldier, he carried nursing principles with him. I have continuously applied the principles of nursing—critical thinking, patient-centered care, and ethical decision-making—in high-risk and resource-constrained environments,
he said.
His training was tested during a mission in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, when an improvised explosive device struck his unit.
With no doctors nearby, limited supplies, and enemy fire all around, Reyes relied on his nursing skills. In combat emergencies, I relied on my BSN training at Silliman University,
he recalled.
Despite being injured himself, he stayed calm, treated the wounded, coordinated evacuation, and led his team—showing that courage and care can go hand in hand.
Beyond the battlefield, Reyes built a remarkable military career, completing advanced officer training, leading combat and community missions, and now serving as a key administrative officer in the Philippine Army.
That experience truly amplifies that nursing excellence goes beyond hospital walls,
he said, proving that saving lives is about mindset, not location.
As a leader, he guided his unit to follow safety and ethical standards while also earning trust in local communities through acts of care and respect.
Trustworthiness is earned through actions,
Reyes reflected—a lesson from his journey as a nurse turned soldier, showing that service and compassion can thrive anywhere.
