Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner

A Slower Kind of Reflection

Hi everyone.

Lately, I’ve noticed a shift in the kind of content I’ve been creating. My videos have always been a mix—cooking, mukbangs, day trips, walks with Bali, and little glimpses of my everyday life—but more and more, I find myself leaning into reflection. Especially my lunchtime diaries. There’s something about pausing באמצ the middle of a busy day, sitting with my thoughts, and just speaking honestly that has been grounding me.

These reflections have become more than just content. They’ve become a mirror. A way for me to see my own growth in real time. A way to redirect my mindset when I feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or lost.

And recently, one of the loudest whispers in my mind has been burnout.

Listening to the Whisper of Burnout

There have been moments—quiet but persistent—where I’ve thought about quitting my job. Just walking away. Starting over. Choosing a simpler life somewhere else, maybe even back in the Philippines, where life feels slower and softer.

But as much as that idea feels comforting, I’ve been learning not to react immediately to those emotions. Instead, I’m trying to sit with them. To understand where they’re coming from.

And what I’m realizing is this: maybe quitting isn’t the answer right now.

Because underneath the burnout… there’s still purpose.

Remembering My “Why”

I’ve been talking a lot about my work lately, and I think it’s because I’m in a season where I’m rediscovering why I chose this path in the first place.

As a nurse practitioner, I represent more than just a role—I represent identities that are often underrepresented in healthcare. As a Filipina-American provider in San Francisco, I carry that with me in every patient interaction. Yes, there are many Filipino nurses, but far fewer nurse practitioners and primary care providers. And that matters.

It matters when patients see someone who looks like them.
It matters when they feel understood.
It matters when they feel safe enough to share their story.

My work extends into areas that I deeply care about—sexual health, HIV care, LGBTQ+ care, gender-affirming care. These aren’t just specialties to me. They are spaces where people deserve dignity, compassion, and understanding.

And when I think about that… I remember why I’m here.

Redefining Purpose Beyond One Role

At the same time, I’ve also had to accept that my “why” doesn’t have to fit perfectly into one job description.

There are parts of my purpose—like guiding adolescents, supporting identity exploration, and advocating for authenticity—that I may not be fully expressing in my current role right now. And for a while, that felt like I was falling short.

But I’m learning that purpose isn’t limited to one space.

I can still show up for people outside of my clinical role. Through conversations, through content, through simply being present and open. I’ve done it before, and I can continue to do it in different ways.

The Balance Between Simplicity and Purpose

For a long time, I’ve dreamed about living a simpler life—maybe in the Philippines, away from the fast pace, away from the noise.

But recently, I’ve been asking myself a deeper question:
Can I truly feel fulfilled if I walk away from the skills, knowledge, and impact I’ve built?

And the answer isn’t as simple as I once thought.

I don’t just want a simple life.
I want a meaningful one.

So now, I’m trying to figure out how to build both. How to create a life that feels peaceful, but also purposeful. A life where I’m not running away from something—but intentionally building toward something.

Choosing to Stay (For Now)

There’s a version of me that wants to quit. To drop everything and start fresh.

But there’s also a version of me that’s learning to pause. To plan. To be intentional.

Right now, staying is part of that plan.

I’m still working toward my long-term goals—building my own practice, gaining the experience I need, becoming the provider I envision myself to be. There are practical things, too—student loans, years of supervised practice, responsibilities that I can’t ignore.

So instead of reacting, I’m choosing to respond with intention.

Staying doesn’t mean I’m stuck.
It means I’m building.

Finding Joy in the Small Moments

In between all of this—there are still small, simple moments that bring me back to myself.

Like stepping outside during lunch on a cloudy day.
Eating warm wonton noodle soup.
Wearing bright pink scrubs and noticing how it makes people smile.

These moments remind me that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Becoming More of Myself

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that growth doesn’t always look like big, dramatic changes.

Sometimes, it looks like staying.
Sometimes, it looks like reflecting.
Sometimes, it looks like choosing yourself—over and over again.

I’m still figuring things out. I’m still evolving. But I’m also learning to trust that I’m exactly where I need to be right now.

And maybe that’s enough.

— Jasmine 🤍