In the wise words of a community leader, a distinguished and dedicated nurse:
“Take your studies seriously. It is not just paperwork, assignments, and exams but the discipline that goes with the experience. It is very important to think critically in this profession. You want to be safe as you ensure the safety and well-being of your patients. Be competent with your knowledge and skills; have the right attitude to help patients reach their optimum health. Pray and be strong, and don’t forget to enjoy every moment.”
Flora “Polet” Dado Sayson celebrated her 53rd birthday last June 5. Young as she is, she has collected eminent designations to her name including the current position as President of the Philippine Nurses Association of Nevada, with incumbency from 2023 through 2025.
Born a ‘Bicolano’ in Legaspi City, Philippines, Polet’s mother (and namesake) Flora Lorbes Dado and Efren Medina Dado had no idea they were to raise their youngest daughter to be a notable individual, leading a flock of nurses in the ‘Silver State of America’, all pillars of the community in the medical industry. Growing up with her siblings Agnes and Daisy, likewise, both nurses, Joel, Cynthia, Brenda a pharmacist, and Efren Jr., was among the best memories of childhood as she breezed through high school at Bicol University High.
Married to Johan Asol Sayson for 28 years, they have a 26-year-old daughter named Jana. Johan and Polet met back in school at the Voice Club when Polet was a newscaster in a radio station and Johan was one of the DJs.
Flora Sayson earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Bicol University in 1991, and right away pursued her profession as a registered nurse and pharmaceutical liaison while being an educator as a nursing faculty.
When she traveled to the United States of America, in view of a scholarship for a Master of Science in Nursing at Long Island University, Brooklyn New York in 2005 and graduated 2008. She landed a job in the Medical-Surgical Unit at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She worked in the Progressive Care Unit, Post Heart Surgery patients, and Critical Care Units thereafter. Polet then earned her. She furthered her status to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Nevada in Reno in 2021 which led her and her family to move to Las Vegas in 2009. Currently, Polet is a tenured Professor of Nursing at the College of Southern Nevada and the coordinator of the LPN-RN (Licensed Practical Nurse – Registered Nurse) program.
Flora, aka Polet, has been exposed to the advocacy of serving others. She always participated in volunteering activities in the community even as a college student, which is why it is no surprise that even to this day, she offers her time and efforts to service the community of Las Vegas and the whole of Nevada. She is affiliated with many organizations such as the A.N.A (American Nurses Association), the N.N.A. (Nevada Nurses Association), Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Nu Iota Chapter, just to name a few eminent groups.
When asked what she thought were good qualities that nurses should have, Polet mentioned that “One of the characteristics that a nurse expediently needs to have is the ‘will and drive’ to keep doing what needs to be done”. She continued to express that “The healthcare industry is very challenging, and nurses become resilient as they encounter difficult situations with their patients, family, co-workers, and the management. A nurse needs to have a strong emotional foundation to withstand different situations. Good communication is a must. One must have a sound critical thinking mind to come up with an accurate clinical judgment. An effective nurse knows how to delegate and collaborate with the other health care team members.”
On a lighter note, Polet continued to share, “There were funny moments when I started working as a nurse in New York: it was my first time to work with a very diverse team. I was culturally shocked trying to understand some of the terminologies that were used, including profanities! What can I expect? I’m in New York! It seemed like a norm to my co-workers. Looking back, I now feel silly and thought it funny, how I reacted as many times patients thought I had a different nationality – instead of being Chinese, because of my accent. But wait – I am not Chinese, so they keep asking what country I came from; of course, I responded by proudly saying “I am Filipino!! … a Filipino – American”!
