The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team
Celebrating Social Wellness Month
Featuring the Story of Job Marconi Mascardo, MBA, MAN, RN, NE-BC, CMGT-BC, CPHQ
Job Marconi Mascardo credits his father, Eugene, with inspiring him and his three siblings to pursue careers in nursing. As a home health caregiver for older adults in Chicago, Eugene demonstrated the profound impact of compassionate care during some of life's most vulnerable moments. Through his example, Job and his siblings also recognized that caregiving could provide both deep personal fulfillment and financial stability for a family.
Eugene's dedication left a lasting impression. All four siblings completed nursing school in the Philippines and now practice as nurses in the United States. What began with their father's unwavering commitment to caring for others ultimately shaped the career paths of the entire family. In addition to the inspiration he gained from his father, Job attributes much of his professional growth to the encouragement and mentorship he received from members of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA), which began his certification journey.
Through the stories shared by these members, Job developed a deeper understanding of what their credentials represented, and the dedication required to earn them. Learning the meaning behind the letters after their names sparked his curiosity and motivated him to explore his own certification endeavor. Rather than viewing their successful careers as intimidating, Job found encouragement in the accomplishments of ANCC board certified nurses whose experiences reflected the impact he hoped to make. Their trajectories guided him to pursue growth in areas he was passionate about, including nursing leadership, healthcare quality improvement, data analysis, and care coordination. This commitment ultimately led him to become dual ANCC board certified as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and in Nursing Case Management (CMGT-BC).
Job’s NE-BC and CMGT-BC certifications represent his commitment to lifelong learning and continuous specialized growth. These certifications validate his expertise in healthcare quality leadership and demonstrate to his patients, colleagues, and employers that he has achieved nationally recognized standards of excellence. They have expanded his leadership opportunities, supported career advancement, and provided skilled recognition that may have not otherwise been possible.
As an internationally educated nurse (IEN) in the United States, Job advocates for financial literacy and retirement planning among immigrant Filipinos. He believes economic stability is an important aspect of social wellness, as financial security can reduce stress, build resilience, and support personal and occupational growth. Recognizing that many overseas Filipinos may be unfamiliar with the U.S. financial system, Job shares his knowledge through conversations with family, friends, and colleagues while exploring the impact of financial stress through his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Development Administration research. His dissertation focuses on remittance burden among overseas Filipinos and its connection to mental health and community well-being.
Through his advocacy, Job helps foster social wellness by creating opportunities for education, connection, and support within the Filipino community. By communicating in English, Tagalog, and Cebuano, he provides culturally relevant guidance that empowers others to make informed financial decisions and build a more secure future. Job's commitment to social wellness extends beyond advocacy and is also reflected in his nursing career. When Job was appointed as the DAISY Award Coordinator, he initially felt nervous.
Coordinating such a prestigious recognition program was a new experience and an added responsibility alongside his role as a Hospital Nurse Quality Improvement Specialist. However, as he read the heartfelt nominations from patients, families, and colleagues, he came to appreciate the true meaning behind the DAISY Award. To him, the award represents compassion, kindness, and the extraordinary moments nurses create every day.
Job believes this is what social wellness in nursing is all about—creating a culture where people feel seen, valued, uplifted, and driven to care for one another just as they care for their patients. That same passion led him to create a space dedicated to recognizing and celebrating nurses and their contributions.
Whether through the DAISY Award or his own initiatives, his goal remains the same: to celebrate nurses, strengthen the profession, and remind every nurse that their work truly matters.
Celebrating Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Featuring the Story of Eric Elmore, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, AGACNP-BC
Eric Elmore's path to nursing was not a straight line, and he did not always know that healthcare would become his calling. Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a police officer, inspired by the opportunity to show up for people during their most difficult moments and make a meaningful difference when it mattered. After high school, however, life took him in an unexpected direction.
At 19, Eric became a psychiatric technician. He was looking for a job and healthcare was the opportunity to ultimately shape the next two decades of his life. What began as a job quickly became a calling. Eric found meaning in supporting individuals through moments of crisis, helping them feel seen, safe, and cared for when they needed it most. That first experience opened the door to nursing school, followed by roles in the emergency department, critical care, and eventually as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Now dual ANCC board certified, Eric credits the job he began at age 19 with setting him on a path that shaped his professional journey and sense of purpose. His pursuit of certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) was not simply a career decision, but a natural progression of what he had witnessed throughout his nursing profession. Eric recognized the critical need to bridge the divide between mental and physical healthcare, advocating for patients with complex psychiatric and medical needs through a comprehensive approach that considers the whole person—not just a single diagnosis.
For Eric, these certifications represent more than expanded clinical expertise—they reflect his commitment to providing patient-centered, compassionate care and supporting individuals with diverse healthcare needs. ANCC certification symbolizes accountability to his patients, his area of expertise, and himself, while honoring his journey from a 19-year-old entering healthcare to a provider dedicated to making a meaningful difference. The credential is not the destination, but a reminder of the trust, responsibility, and dedication that continue to guide his practice.
Psychiatric illness does not ask for permission before entering someone’s life. It does not consider race, income, neighborhood, or circumstance. It simply arrives. Yet, the response to mental illness has not always been equal. For many communities, particularly those that have historically experienced barriers to healthcare and the lasting impact of inequitable treatment, accessing psychiatric care may happen later—often when individuals are facing more complex challenges and fewer resources are available to support their recovery. For Eric, this reality is not an abstract concept. He witnesses it with every shift. His work has shown him that behind every diagnosis is a person deserving of recognition, respect, and high-quality care.
What continues to ground Eric in this work is a simple but powerful belief: no one chooses to live with mental illness. Patients do not ask to experience psychiatric conditions any more than someone chooses to develop heart disease or diabetes. Mental health deserves the same understanding, urgency, and integrity afforded to all areas of healthcare. Eric’s pursuit of the AGACNP-BC certification was an extension of that commitment. He wanted to strengthen his ability to care for patients living at the intersection of psychiatric and medical illness—individuals who are often among the most vulnerable and who can be overlooked when healthcare systems separate the mind from the body.
As Eric reflects during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, he hopes others recognize that mental health equity begins with seeing the whole person. The quality of care a patient receives should never be determined by their diagnosis, background, or circumstances. Every patient is more than a chart, a condition, or a moment of crisis. For Eric, that belief represents the standard worth pursuing equitable care where every person is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
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Meet Katelyn Bern who manages customer engagement through social media and at ANCC tradeshows. She is committed to delivering engaging and meaningful content to keep you informed about important updates, including celebrations of certified nurses, stories of inspiration, newsletters, upcoming webinars, and more!
Stories of Inspiration from ANCC Certified Nurses began in May of 2024. You can view all previous stories by visiting our Meet the Team page, under the Stories of Inspiration tab. Please let us know if you are interested in sharing your story with us by completing the below survey:
