‘I thought I was just doing my job, the job that I love, and I never thought that I would be validated for what I enjoy doing,’ said oncology nurse Harman Cervales when he was asked to recall his success in last year’s Pride of Guernsey Awards.
Twelve months ago he was nominated for the Angel of the Year award, and four months later, he walked away from the ceremony with his commemorative medal and £1,000 prize. And more than a little shocked.
‘It’s been an amazing journey since receiving the Angel of the Year award,’ he said.
‘The experience has not only inspired me, but it has also deepened my passion for the work I do. It has humbled me in the most beautiful way, and I remain incredibly honoured by the recognition.’
Professionally, the award has been a significant affirmation. In a field which often battles negativity and nurses can often have feelings of being undervalued, Harman emphasised that the award was ‘a total validation that I was doing the right thing’. For him nursing is not about monetary gain but about the satisfaction of knowing that he is doing the best he can for his patients.
‘I feel so lucky that I am in the kind of work that I do, because I am able to meet patients, know their stories, their sufferings, their pain, their healing. It is a privilege to be a part of their journey.’
His journey into nursing was far from conventional. Initially, he began training to become a priest, however he soon realised that it wasn’t his calling. ‘I wanted more, I wanted different,’ he said. It was through friends that he stumbled upon nursing, a profession that immediately resonated.
‘This is really for me,’ he recalled thinking. Through his training he discovered that nursing offered him a unique blend of helping others and receiving personal fulfilment, which consistently provided him with a ‘life purpose’.
His career has taken him from emergency and ICU settings, but it was oncology where he found his true fit.
‘When I moved to oncology nursing, that’s when I realised, oh my God, this is it. It was like putting gloves on your hands and it just fits you.’ Through working in oncology he has learnt many crucial life lessons.
‘I have learnt not to moan too much, but to enjoy life every day.’ He also learned to appreciate that ‘life is not about planning tomorrow, but it’s about how we can have an impact today, and how we can enjoy our life today’.
The days at work can be quite intense, he admitted. It can be very busy and tiring especially when dealing with young patients who are fighting for their lives. But despite the emotional toll, he strives to maintain a calm demeanour. ‘Calmness is always my key,’ he said, while acknowledging that there may be some ‘chaos’ behind his smile, which he believes is essential to keep patients feeling reassured.
The challenges in healthcare are undeniable, particularly among nurses who can often feel unappreciated. However, Harman refuses to dwell on the negativity. ‘If people dwell on negativity, then they will never be able to move forward,’ he said.
He always tries to seek a ‘silver lining’ and focuses on providing patients with the best possible care.
Harman’s path to Guernsey is intriguing.
He was born in the Philippines and his early life included time in Singapore. After his seminary experience, he returned to the Philippines where he began to study nursing. His career then led him to the Middle East, working for humanitarian projects, including for the Red Cross in Palestine and Oman. In Oman he implemented a simple yet effective numbering system for patient identification in emergency settings, a ‘common sense’ innovation that was widely adopted. This led to an opportunity in the United Arab Emirates, where he specialised in oncology. His first introduction to the UK came in 1997, accompanying a prince for medical care.
After 24 years in London, a deeply personal tragedy, losing two brothers to Covid within three months, prompted a re-evaluation of his life. While initially considering slowing down, he decided instead to look for a new home. ‘A sense of community’ led him to Guernsey in the summer of 2022. What he thought would only be a temporary stay has blossomed into a deep affection for the island.
‘I feel safe here, it feels like home,’ Harman said. Beyond the island’s beauty, it is the friendly and welcoming people of Guernsey who have truly made him feel at home, he said.
Harman’s approach to his work is deeply influenced by his background. He believes in leading by example, focusing on doing his best and making other people happy. Despite personal losses, including his mother and sister to breast cancer, he recognises the profound importance of his job and ‘the impact that you give to patients’.
He uses humour as a powerful tool to communicate with his patients, believing it creates a ‘lighter and calmer’ atmosphere, even in serious situations.
However he said he had learned how to switch on and off, in and out of uniform, and looks forward to continuing to develop his career. The future, he said, needed greater support for healthcare professionals. He fears a lack of investment will lead to a shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals.
The money may not be great, he said, but ‘emotionally you will become more happy because the work is so rewarding’.
‘I am so rich with happiness. I feel so fulfilled that I could not ask for more than doing nursing.
‘It’s not a job, it’s part of my life. And winning the Pride of Guernsey award reminded me of our true purpose as nurses – to care, to connect, and to make a difference from the heart.’
Nominations are open until Sunday 3 August. Put forward your hero at www.prideofguernsey.gg.
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