Immigrant Woman of Color

Elevate Your Your Nursing Journey: Empowerment Coaching for Filipino Immigrant Nurses

You’ve Spent Years Caring for Others—Now It’s Time to Speak Up for Yourself.

You’ve worked tirelessly, cared deeply, and supported everyone around you. You take care of patients, support colleagues, send money to your family in the Philippines, and ensure everyone is cared for. But when it comes to speaking up—whether it’s advocating for yourself, setting boundaries, saying ‘no’ without guilt, or asking for what you truly want—it feels… uncomfortable. Maybe even impossible.

Maybe it’s cultural conditioning. Maybe it’s personal. Perhaps it’s the fear of being seen as too much or not enough. So, you stay quiet, hoping your hard work will speak for itself.

Except… it doesn’t.

I see you. I was you. And I know this: Being kind doesn’t mean staying quiet. You can be both assertive and caring. You can speak up about your needs and wants with grace and love.

Imagine feeling as confident speaking up as you do when caring for a patient. I help Filipino immigrant nurses develop that confidence, navigate self-doubt, and find their voice—so they can ask for what they want, advocate for themselves without fear of judgment, and finally create the career and life they truly desire. No more waiting. No more playing small

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Hi, I’m Karen Retardo, MA, BSN, RN

Professional Coach for Filipino Immigrant Nurses

I specialize in coaching Filipino immigrant nurses. Since 2021,  I have been dedicated to helping these incredible professionals develop the confidence to speak up and advocate for themselves in their workplaces and beyond. My approach combines spiritual psychology principles, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Coaching, and Gallup CliftonStrengths, blending deep understanding of Filipino culture with effective coaching techniques to provide you with the support and guidance you need to succeed. I'm passionate about transforming self-doubt into self-trust, making every act of self-advocacy an act of self-love. 

I’d love to explore how I can help you be more confident, find your voice, and live the career and life you desire.

As a Filipino Immigrant Nurse, Transform Your Quiet Strength into Authentic Confidence– Your Journey Begins Here

My Services

My Services

Gallup CliftonStrengths with 1-hr debrief Session

As a Filipino immigrant nurse, do you ever feel like your true potential is just waiting to shine through? Balancing work, family, and the distinct challenges of being a Filipino nurse in a foreign country can be overwhelming.

You're not alone. We're strong, we're resilient, and deep down, you know you're capable of achieving great things, but sometimes, we need a little help to tap into our zone of genius.

With Gallup CliftonStrengths, you’ll discover your innate talents and learn to leverage them for professional success and personal fulfillment as you navigate life in a new country.

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Tailor Your Journey 1:1 Coaching

You feel like you’re living in two worlds—you're driven, ambitious, and ready to conquer the world, but there’s a nagging voice holding you back. In these bespoke coaching sessions, we’ll address your specific challenges using strengths, play, inner child healing and trauma-informed therapeutic coaching.

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Book cover titled "The Art of Saying No: How to set boundaries with Grace and Confidence" displayed on a tablet, featuring a green mug and a napkin with the word "No!" written on it.

Say YES to my newsletter, and I’ll teach you 8 scripts for saying “no” without feeling guilty.

What you get: “The Art of Saying No: How to Set Boundaries with Grace and Confidence.”

This guide is your first step towards mastering the delicate art of establishing healthy boundaries. Sample scripts to help you say “no” with confidence and grace.





Nancy K.

“Before starting the coaching program, I was struggling with a lack of confidence and direction in my life. The sessions provided me with a newfound sense of confidence, teaching me the importance of listening to my body and embracing my right to make decisions that truly reflect my needs and aspirations. What I valued most was the ability to be my authentic self in every session, supported by a coaching style that was engaging, interactive, and nurturing.

A significant milestone for me was gaining the courage to pursue what I desired, even when it meant declining a job offer that didn't meet my expectations, illustrating the confidence and clarity I've gained. The coaching exceeded my expectations through exceptional availability and support, making me feel heard, seen, and valued. This experience has been transformative, and I wholeheartedly recommend Karen’s coaching services to anyone looking to make a profound change in their life.”

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