Living the American Dream: Jejomar Bautista’s Story

Jejomar Bautista, MSN, knew from a very young age that he wanted to be in the medical field. Growing up in a village in the Philippines, he noticed how nurses formed a special connection with people and admired the positive impact they made on his community. He wanted to follow in their footsteps.

While attending nursing school, Jejomar heard about Albany Med from his teachers. They were among the first to join the organization through Albany Med’s Philippine Nurse Recruitment Program. Two and a half years ago, Jejomar joined the program himself–and is now a staff nurse in Albany Med’s main operating room.

“Albany Med helped me take that big step in my career and live my American Dream,” Jejomar said. “From the night my flight landed at the Albany airport to today, I have felt very fortunate to be at Albany Med. I have come to work with an awesome group of people, and Albany Med respects our diversity. That’s what makes this institution special.”

As a nurse in perioperative services, Jejomar can typically be found working in the orthopedic OR–an atmosphere he describes as energizing and fast-paced, with a talented and supportive team that helps drive him every day. He said, “I know that perioperative nursing is my right career path, so I put in the extra effort for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Jejomar cares for patients and their families before and after what are often life-changing surgeries. “That is the most fulfilling and genuine connection you as a human can offer,” he said.

“There is so much flexibility in terms of the areas of specialization that nurses can pursue at Albany Med,” he continued. “There is always something new to look forward to that will help you advance personally and professionally. This can provide you many opportunities to contribute to quality patient care.”

What inspires Jejomar the most here at Albany Med? Working with people from all over the world, he said.

“As someone who came from overseas, I admire Albany Med’s commitment in making our working environment a multicultural one,” he explained. “The diversity in this workplace helps me feel accepted and valued. Working with people of different races and nationalities is a rewarding and fulfilling professional experience.”