top of page

Francis D. Cacacho, MSN, RN, CCRN

  • LinkedIn
DSC09218.jpeg

Philosophical Approach to Nursing

IMG_1699.jpeg

     My personal philosophy of nursing is based on the idea that nursing is a dynamic, evolving journey, where both the nurse and the patient grow through shared experiences of care. I entered the nursing profession because it offers a unique sense of fulfillment not only from achieving clinical outcomes, but also from the deeply personal and human connections that form during the healing process. Nursing teaches us as much about ourselves as it does about our patients. To me, nursing is less about reaching a destination and more about the journey along the way. Each patient interaction presents an opportunity to learn something new, whether it'll be resilience, empathy, or the lived experience of others. These experiences shape my values and strengthen my ability to provide holistic, compassionate care.

 

     However, I also recognize the challenges modern nurses face. Increasing administrative demands, particularly charting and technology use, can distance nurses from the human aspects of care. I believe we must continue to advocate for a healthcare system that prioritizes patient-centered interactions and preserves the nurse’s ability to express compassion and presence. Ultimately, my philosophy is one of growth, care, and reflection. As I care for more patients, I continue to refine my approach. This includes drawing on personal values, professional knowledge, and a commitment to seeing the person beyond the diagnosis.

Philosophy of Teaching

IMG_0815.jpeg

  • Purpose of Nursing Education

    • Goes beyond NCLEX preparation and core sciences.

    • Aims to develop adaptable, resilient, and compassionate nurses.

    • Addresses the need for work-life balance and long-term career sustainability.​

​

  • Core Teaching Beliefs

    • Nursing students are expected to be motivated and self-directed adult learners.

    • Education should reflect real-world clinical practice, not just theory.

    • Emotional intelligence and human connection are just as vital as clinical skills.

​

  • Learning Theory Foundation

    • Based on Andragogy (adult learning theory):

      • Adults are internally motivated and ready to learn with learning being relevant, experience-based, and self-directed.

    • Educators act as facilitators rather than authoritarian figures.

​

  • Teaching Methods & Strategies

    • Socratic Questioning to promote critical thinking:

      • Encourages clarification, probing questions, and evaluating perspectives.

      • Helps students develop clinical reasoning aligned with the nursing process.

    • Emphasis on clinical practice in content.​

    • Adapt teaching to different learning styles.

    • Encourage autonomy by guiding students how to learn, not just what to learn.

​

  • Classroom Environment

    • Supportive and respectful teacher-student relationship.

    • Focus on mentorship, not just instruction.

    • Encourage open dialogue and collaborative learning.

​

  • Educator’s Role

    • Emphasis on the “why” behind clinical decisions to boost motivation and retention.

    • Balance structure with independence to encourage student confidence and accountability.

    • Advocate for student understanding of real-world practice.

​

  • Overall Goal

    • Develop well-rounded, critically thinking nurses with longevity who:

      • Understand both technical and emotional dimensions of care.

      • Can adapt to evolving healthcare demands.

      • Maintain composure and purpose throughout their careers.

Professional Goals

e7061855-d474-457f-8ef6-917325b87352.jpeg

  1. Provide flexible teaching and learning​​

    • ​Develop and implement innovative, evidence-based teaching methods that cater to diverse learning styles.

    • Proficiency in utilizing emerging educational technologies while taking traditional nurse education styles into consideration.

    • Designing assessment tools that accurately measure student learning outcomes and clinical competence.

    • Encouraging an inclusive classroom environment that encourages critical thinking and professional growth.

  2. Composing effective assessments of learners to promote success

    • ​Develop effective and reliable assessment strategies to measure student knowledge, skills, and attitudes accurately.

    • Utilize fair assessments to monitor learner progress and provide constructive feedback to encourage growth.

    • Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions by analyzing student outcomes met and adapting to teaching methods accordingly.

  3. Deliver innovative ideas to curriculum development

    • ​Contribute actively to the continuous improvement of nursing curricula to align with current evidence-based practice.

    • Collaborate with faculty and other relevant providers to correlate curriculum and coherence between theory and practice.

    • Advocate for inclusion of social awareness and cultural competence in the curriculum.

  4. Maintaining a consistent presence through mentoring and advising

    • ​Mentor nursing students and nursing staff to support their professional development.

    • Promote the use of diversity, inclusion, and equity through mentorship.

  5. Fostering an involvement in scholarship and research

    • ​Being active in nursing education research and quality improvement projects to advance teaching practices and student learning outcomes.

    • Collaborate with other relevant providers to contribute to the body of knowledge in nurse education.

    • Critiquing research findings to share innovations and best practices.

    • Awareness of new, emerging evidence and implementation of research findings into curriculum development and teaching methods.

    • Participate actively in committees and professional organizations to influence nursing education policies and practices.

CV/Resume

NLN Core Competencies

Professional and/or Academic Memberships

​Academic:

  • MSN: Pacific Union College (September 2023 - June 2023)

  • BSN: California State University, East Bay (September 2015 - December 2019)

​

Professional:

  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses Membership

    • 02/01/2025 - 01/31/2027​

​
 

Notebook

Assignment Exemplars

Church Steeple with Cross

Spiritual Refections on Leadership

Outcome Assessment/Capstone Project

Certifications

  • Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification (CCRN)

    • January 2024 - December 2026​
       

IMG_0417.jpeg

Community Involvement

​

With Maranatha Volunteers/Amor Projects I educated pre-nursing, pre-dental, and pre-med students on how to take vital signs and ran a triage station on a mission trip at Pucallpa, Peru, where primary care services were provided to 600+ patients in five days in late March.

bottom of page