Agustin Guido III: Portrait of a nurse as a writer

By Maricar C. Padilla
Agustin ‘Gus’ Guido III was a 28-year-old bedside nursing newbie in the U.S. when this story happened.
He was doing his rounds and walked into an elderly patient’s room. The 85-year old-woman smiled affectionately at him and said, “Oh, honey, you’re just what the doctor ordered!” He laughed it off thinking she was just being sweet.
Then she added, “I’d feel better if you held my hand.”
He held her hand gently and tried to stay professional. But she leaned in and added, “If I were 50 years younger, you’d be in real trouble.”
He quickly took her vitals and left hurriedly as she called out, “Don’t forget, I’m still young at heart!”
Welcome to nursing in America!
This is just one of the many experiences that inspired Gus to write Leading with Heart and Humor: A Nurse Leader’s Guide to Inspiring Excellence. In the book, he shares key leadership insights and anecdotes to illustrate his belief that effective leadership is both an art and a science. Drawing on three decades of nursing experience, Gus offers a practical and heartfelt guide for current and aspiring leaders in healthcare and beyond. It is his first attempt at writing, a skill he would have pursued earlier if not for his dedication to nursing.
“If I had not become a nurse, I would likely have pursued a career in education or teaching. Journalism is another path I might have taken,” he shared with The FilAm in an interview.
Gus currently works as the Nursing Director of New Jersey Eastern Star, a rehabilitation and nursing facility in Bridgewater, N.J. His expertise is Long Term Care and Sub-acute Care Rehabilitation, and he leads a team that provides critical care to clients which includes brain trauma and ventilator-dependent patients.
He recalled that when his mother was hospitalized in the Philippines for a heart-related condition, “I witnessed firsthand the care and compassion the nurses provided her. This experience deeply impacted me, showing me the power of nursing to bring comfort and healing during vulnerable moments.” From that moment on, he knew nursing was the “path I wanted to pursue.”

“I believe in providing the highest quality of care to individuals who have given so much to society throughout their lives.” He was referring to the elderly, the people who are facing the greatest risks through age, illness and, at times, loneliness and isolation from their families. “I am committed to elderly care with my passion for supporting them through their rehabilitation.”
He had a cherished job working as a nurse at the Department of Education in the Philippines when the opportunity of immigrating to the U.S. opened up.
“My father was bravely battling cancer, and his doctor, seeing my potential, offered me an extraordinary opportunity: a chance to move to the U.S. with permanent residency and all expenses paid,” he said.
Although going abroad was not the primary factor, it did play a role in the difficult decision.
“My dad talked me into going abroad,” said Gus. “He promised he and mom would follow. At that time, they were already under petition by my U.S. citizen sister.”
“I knew that nursing could open doors to opportunities beyond my home country, allowing me to expand my horizons and grow both personally and professionally,” he said.
Unfortunately, his father had a massive stroke and expired a few weeks before his visa was approved.
Adapting to a new culture and hospital system was not easy. He described his early years as both “challenging and transformative.” He experienced what he called “cultural adjustment,” which involved racial prejudice, both from patients and the nursing leadership. Some, he said, were “very vocal” about their bias against foreign-educated nurses and a lopsided preference for U.S. graduates.
Through it all, he came to appreciate how his journey has been “incredibly rewarding.”
“Each step along the way has been a learning experience, helping me grow into the nurse and leader I am today,” he said.
The youngest of four siblings, Gus belongs to a family of healthcare professionals and government officials. His eldest sister is a physician, and several of his nephews and nieces are nurses. His mother, Alicia Tobias Guido, is a retired district supervisor at the Department of Education, while his father, Agustin Evalla Guido, Jr., was a provincial officer in the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Active social life
Beyond the scrubs, the tubes and the thermometers, Gus has an active social life as a member of the Filipino community in the New York Metropolitan area. He is currently vice president of the New Jersey Association of Directors of Nursing Administration LTC. He is also involved in different organizations such as the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey; the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Health, Humanitarian, Environmental and Disaster Relief; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Education and Mentorship; and the Rutger’s University Food Drive.
He has been a recipient of several awards acknowledging his proficiencies and skills: 2022 National Nurse Leader of the Year by the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration; 2023 Nurse Leader of the Year by the New Jersey Association Directors of Nursing Administration; 2024 National Best Research Poster Presentation from the Philippine Nurses Association of America; 2024 Innovative Health Advocacy Award from the Apex Alliance Council Awards and Ministry; and 2024 Asia’s Golden Icon Award as Asia’s Exemplary Leader for Hospital and Healthcare Organization.
Right now, his thoughts are veering toward writing a second book: a poetry or a motivational book.
“I have always enjoyed exploring and expressing ideas through words,” said the former editor-in-chief of his school paper. “Over the years, I have found it an excellent outlet for creativity and a powerful tool to inspire others.”
To de-stress, he goes on afternoon walks, watches movies and visits the malls for some shopping. He enjoys traveling and creating artworks, especially 3D posters with moving parts and lights.
Caring for the elderly can be an exhausting and gratifying responsibility, but Gus knows writing beautiful essays and poetry is the best stress reliever.
Maricar C. Padilla is the writer previously bylined as Maricar CP Hampton. She is a regular contributing writer to The FilAm.