Getting to Know an Alumnus: Isidor Cardenas, RN

By Gillian Nicole S. Bernal

The advancement of technology has reached various milestones and most of these are involved in the medical field, especially in the aspect of health care. One of the recent emergence of medical innovations in the Philippines is Telehealth Nursing. Coincidentally, we are privileged to have our very own Thomasian nurse as one of the member of the pioneer Telehealth Nursing company in the Philippines.

Mr. Isidor F. Cardenas, alumnus from batch 2009, is currently the NCR Project Coordinator and Senior Telehealth Nurse of the National Telehealth Center and is also one of the founding members and interim treasurer of the Philippine Nursing Informatics Association. He was one of the people who organized the recently conducted seminar on Health Informatics with the theme: “Putting Health in the Hands of the People” with the University of Santo Tomas - College of Nursing, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Manila National Telehealth Center. But what led him to venture into this profession?

On Nursing
Isidor F. Cardenas, Isidor or “Sid” is the youngest of four children. All of his siblings were graduates of Philippine Science High School and University of the Philippines Diliman. Sid was the only exception, graduating with Honors at St. Mary’s College QC before joining the University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing last 2005. As a young man, he regards himself as a ‘jack of all trades, but master of none’. He joined the debate team, became the Opinion Editor for his high school’s paper, played basketball as a point forward, created the class website, played video games, all while keeping his grades in check (most of the time). However, Sid never focused on one skill which resulted into a dilemma with regards to which course he should take in college. He ended up at the UST-CON because he wanted to add a health care professional in his family… and because his girlfriend was taking up Nursing.

“Nahihiya rin ako sa parents ko kasi laging ang laki ng tuition ko compared sa mga kapatid ko. Nag-nursing ako para maalagaan ko rin sila since medyo matanda na rin sila ngayon. Natanggap ako sa Nursing, pero yung girlfriend ko naman yung hindi nakapasok. Pero nag-shift din siya sa Nursing after one year in Biology…sayang lang hindi kami sabay.”

College Highs and Lows
During his first years in our college, he sensed that his peers are really the cream of the crop of his generation; and that it was an honor and a privilege to be included with them. However, he also felt the horror of having to ‘compete’ with the best of the best in order to pass the dreaded cut-off. Nevertheless, he was able to find time to play basketball and the ever popular DotA with his friends. He balanced fun and academics, and as proof, he was part of the Dean’s List for the two semesters.

“I treated DotA as a reward for a job well done academically…and mas mura siya kaysa kumain…DotA diet ba. Pero pangit pag puro DotA lang…dapat good grades rin para GG (good game)!”

When his second year in Nursing started, Sid had to face various hurdles. One of which was when he was transferred to a different section. He had to start trying to fit-in again in a class where groups were already forged the earlier year. To make matters worse, he was doomed to be seated at the last row for the rest of his college days.

“Masaya nung first year kasi first row ako…ang daling makinig, yung ambient noise ng ibang tao di ako masyadong affected. Pero ‘pag nasa likod ka, ang hirap makita ang slides! There are times na ‘di ko rin marinig yung lecture. Minsan iniisip ko na lang na mag-Indian seat sa harap e… parang sa high school lang. Tapos kaliwete pa ako, ang hirap mag-sulat kapag aisle ang katabi mo haha. Malaking adjustment period yung second year.”

His favorite moments in the college include the class of the always witty Sir Hibek, along with the challenges and “Aaaaah gets ko na! ahahaha!” moments in Mrs. Escolar-Chua’s Medical-Surgical Nursing. His favorite RLE experiences include his multiple shifts in the Neuro-Surgical Ward with the ever-understanding Sir Cuadra, and the CHN adventures with the energetic Sir Sumile. He also enjoyed doing various presentations, wacky music videos and commercials with his RLE during their 3rd year and 4th year days.

“Yung mga ka-RLE ko kasi jam-packed sa mga dean’s lister, kaya gusto nila laging bongga ang presentations. Nung 4th year bawat video presentation namin dapat may music video pa sa dulo, para kwela. Ha ha! Nakakapagod gawin yun pero masaya naman, puro tawanan.”

Becoming a Telehealth Nurse
Although he liked playing computer games, his interests did not immediately point him to practice Health Informatics. He was not spared from the dilemma of some 32,000 newly registered nurses who took the June 2009 Nursing Licensure Exams who had difficulty getting employed.

“Grabe yung hirap sa paghahanap ng job openings noon. Although ‘di ko na sinubukang maghanap. Binabalita sa akin ng mga ka-RLE ko na walang mga vacancies sa mga hospital.”

He then discovered the field of Nursing Informatics, which was said to be in great demand abroad. He tried to search for schools offering Master’s in Nursing Informatics, however only the University of the Philippines Manila was offering a somewhat related program.

“UP Manila lang yung nahanap kong may Master’s of Science in Health Informatics. May dalawang specialization pa yun – Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics lang at walang Nursing Informatics per se. Pero, it was better than doing nothing. I wanted to ask them if nurses can take up this program, are Computer Science units required, etc. But I wasn’t able to get adequate information from them. So, I decided to attend one of their trainings to get a chance to meet some of the professors who teach MSHI. It turns out, si Dr. Alvin Marcelo ang head ng MSHI at siya rin and Director ng National Telehealth Center. Buti na lang may dala akong resume. So, I gave it to them and instead of pursuing my Master’s, I ended up working for the National Telehealth Center.”

Advice to Students
Sid said that being a Thomasian has helped him a lot in his work ethic. “Iba ang upbringing ng UST - sanay sa hirap.” As for Nursing specifically, Sid mentioned that the faculty is “very nurturing and is very approachable. You can seek advice for anything, even beyond academics”.

Sid has mentioned a lot of advice for the nursing students:

“Don’t get caught up in maintaining your grades to the point that you end up cheating. If hindi ka DL, it doesn’t mean na ‘di ka magaling. And mind you, it’s the other way around as well. Grades aren’t the only basis in being a great nurse.”


“Take your RLE duty seriously. Although it may be difficult to quantify and translate your hardships into a numerical grade, your experience during those duty days are priceless… make the most out of them!”


“Lastly, expand your horizons when looking for a job. Don’t limit yourself to staff nursing positions. Try looking for a job that integrates Nursing with another thing you enjoy doing. Good luck on your Board Exams!”