For many nurses, success is measured by promotions, awards, or years of experience. For Filipino nurse Abram Nikko Puno Gonzales, however, true success is measured by something much deeper—how many lives you improve, not only through patient care but by developing the nurses who care for those patients every day.
Today, Gonzales serves as the Unit Manager at SEHA Kidney Care in Abu Dhabi, where he oversees a highly specialized dialysis unit responsible for caring for patients living with chronic kidney disease. His journey from a government hospital in the Philippines to one of the United Arab Emirates’ leading renal care facilities is a powerful reminder of what dedication, continuous learning, and servant leadership can achieve.
From a Government Hospital in Bulacan to International Nursing Leadership
Like many overseas Filipino nurses, Gonzales began his career close to home.
He worked at Bulacan Medical Center, initially serving as a registered nurse in the medical ward before discovering a passion for nephrology and renal nursing. Rather than viewing dialysis as repetitive work, he became fascinated by the long-term relationships nurses build with patients who require life-sustaining treatment several times each week.
His commitment to the specialty quickly became evident.
In 2012, he achieved one of the highest honors available to renal nurses in the Philippines by finishing first in the Philippine Certified Renal Nurse (CRN) certification examination, establishing himself as one of the country’s brightest young specialists in kidney care.
Sharing Knowledge Before Becoming a Manager
Even early in his career, Gonzales wasn’t content with simply improving his own skills.
Outside of his hospital duties, he taught review classes for nurses preparing for the NCLEX and HAAD licensing examinations. Helping other nurses succeed became one of the defining themes of his professional life.
That passion for education would later become one of his greatest strengths as a healthcare leader.
According to Gonzales, watching fellow nurses achieve their goals remains one of the most rewarding parts of his career.
Moving Overseas Wasn’t Easy
In 2014, Gonzales accepted an opportunity to work in Abu Dhabi.
Like thousands of Filipino healthcare professionals working abroad, the decision meant leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar in pursuit of better opportunities.
He began working at NMC Specialty Hospital before gradually progressing into leadership positions within dialysis services.
The transition involved more than simply adapting to a new workplace.
He had to adjust to a different healthcare system, international accreditation standards, multicultural teams, and the emotional challenge of living far away from home.
Gonzales has openly acknowledged that homesickness was one of the hardest parts of his overseas journey, but perseverance and family support helped him continue moving forward.
Climbing the Leadership Ladder
Rather than remaining in one position, Gonzales steadily advanced through increasingly senior nursing leadership roles.
His career progression included positions such as:
- Charge Nurse
- Nursing Supervisor
- Nursing Manager
- Deputy Nursing Director
- Interim Nursing Director
- Unit Manager
Each role expanded his responsibilities beyond direct patient care to include staff development, operational management, quality improvement, accreditation compliance, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Today, as Unit Manager at SEHA Kidney Care, he leads multidisciplinary teams while ensuring the dialysis unit maintains the high standards required by the UAE Department of Health and Joint Commission International (JCI).
Leadership Is About People
Despite his impressive résumé, Gonzales believes leadership is not about authority.
Instead, he says the most important responsibility of any nurse leader is creating an environment where both patients and healthcare professionals can succeed.
His leadership philosophy centers on a simple but powerful idea:
“Care for the people who care for people.”
He believes organizations that invest in nurses ultimately provide safer, more compassionate, and higher-quality care for patients.
Rather than focusing solely on operational targets, he prioritizes mentorship, team development, psychological safety, and creating workplaces where nurses feel respected and empowered.
A Career Filled With Recognition
Over the years, Gonzales’ commitment to excellence has earned him numerous professional awards.
Among them are:
- Best in Nursing Management Award
- Best Nurse Award
- Quality Champion Awards
- Excellence Service Appreciation Award
- Best Quality Improvement Project recognition
However, Gonzales says awards are not what he values most.
Instead, he considers his greatest achievement to be seeing members of his team grow into confident professionals and watching patients benefit from a culture of continuous improvement.
Championing Excellence Beyond His Own Hospital
His influence extends beyond the walls of a single healthcare facility.
Gonzales has also served as Regional Director for the Pathway to Excellence program in Abu Dhabi, helping promote professional nursing practice across multiple healthcare organizations.
He additionally coordinated the internationally recognized DAISY Award Program, which celebrates extraordinary nursing care and encourages excellence throughout the profession.
These roles demonstrate that his commitment is not limited to one unit or one hospital but to strengthening the nursing profession as a whole.
Family Helped Turn the UAE Into Home
Like many expatriate nurses, Gonzales initially struggled with loneliness after moving overseas.
Everything changed after meeting his wife in the UAE and starting a family.
He says having loved ones nearby transformed the country from simply being a place to work into a true second home.
The emotional support provided by his family has allowed him to focus fully on leading his team while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
His Long-Term Goal Is to Give Back
Although Gonzales has built a successful career abroad, he says he has never viewed overseas employment as the final destination.
Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to gain international experience that can eventually benefit healthcare in the Philippines.
His long-term vision includes helping improve:
- Nursing leadership
- Patient safety
- Hospital quality systems
- Healthcare governance
- Renal care services
- Professional education
He hopes the knowledge acquired in internationally accredited hospitals can one day strengthen healthcare systems back home.
Advice for Nurses Working Overseas
Drawing from his own experience, Gonzales encourages nurses pursuing international careers to remain resilient, continue learning, and never lose sight of their values.
He advises nurses to:
- Stay humble regardless of success.
- Keep developing professionally.
- Save and plan for the future.
- Build strong support networks.
- Never stop learning.
- Remember where they came from.
Most importantly, he encourages Filipino nurses to remain proud of their heritage while representing their profession with integrity wherever they work.
Why Stories Like This Matter
The nursing profession often makes headlines for workforce shortages, burnout, disciplinary actions, or legal cases.
Stories like Gonzales’ provide another perspective.
They highlight the thousands of nurses quietly leading healthcare organizations, mentoring younger colleagues, improving patient outcomes, and raising the global reputation of the profession through consistent excellence.
His journey from a government hospital in Bulacan to leading one of Abu Dhabi’s specialized renal care units demonstrates that nursing is not simply a career—it can also become a platform for leadership, education, and lasting impact.
For aspiring nurses, particularly those considering opportunities overseas, Gonzales’ story is a reminder that professional growth is built through continuous learning, resilience, and a genuine commitment to serving others.
