About the Nurse Behind the Blog 🩺💜

Hello, I’m Maica. I’m a PhRN 🇵🇭, NZRN 🇳🇿, USRN 🇺🇸, and AusRN 🇦🇺.

I’m originally from the Philippines, where I studied and completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at De La Salle Lipa. I was a Dean’s Lister during my time there, as was my twin sister, who studied nursing alongside me.

My nursing journey didn’t begin exactly as I had hoped. After failing my first attempt at the June 2009 NLE (Nurse Licensure Exam), I came back stronger and passed the November 2009 NLE—a particularly challenging examination, with a national passing rate of just 39.73%. I finished with a board rating of 80.40.

After passing the boards, I started working as a nurse at a provincial hospital in my home province. Eventually, I was given the opportunity to study and build my nursing career in New Zealand.

It wasn’t always an easy journey. Fate eventually took my twin sister and me in different directions. I built my career in New Zealand, while she had the opportunity to pursue hers in the United States.

When my twin eventually moved to the US, I found myself inspired to take the NCLEX too. I passed on my first attempt—in just 85 questions.

This year, I was given another unexpected opportunity. Through the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition arrangement, I was able to obtain my Australian nursing registration. I now hold nursing registrations in four countries—something I never imagined I would achieve when I first started nursing.

Today, I work as a Registered Nurse and Ward Coordinator in one of Auckland, New Zealand’s busiest metropolitan hospitals, working in a medical ward.

But before I became a nurse with four registrations, I was simply a girl from the Philippines who dreamed of becoming a nurse—and a twin who happened to take this journey alongside her sister.

I started this blog 16 years ago to showcase my life, share my love for writing, and document the lessons I’ve learned along the way. As I write the next chapters of Simply Maica, I hope you’ll join me as I share my life, my nursing adventures, and the lessons I continue to learn along the way.

I’m not entirely sure where life will take me next.

But wherever it goes, I hope you’ll join me—one chapter at a time. 💜🩺