Shirley Seferino, RN on Finding Purpose at TrueCare Perris

For many in health care, the dream is clear. You want to use your skills to change lives and not just clock hours. But finding the right place, one where your values aren’t just welcomed but woven into everything you do, can feel out of reach. That’s the crossroads where Shirley Seferino, RN, once stood. Her path had already taken unexpected turns, from stepping away from medical school to support her family to discovering her calling in nursing, but she was looking for something more – purpose and meaning.

It wasn’t until Shirley joined the TrueCare family that she found what every passionate nurse hopes for: a team that shares her mission, a community that needs her heart as much as her expertise, and a workplace where advocacy is a job, not an afterthought. We sat down with Shirley to discuss her experience at TrueCare, and why you’ll love it, too!

Shirley Seferino, RN, on Finding Purpose at TrueCare Perris Serving Communities that Are Too Often Underserved

Shirley Seferino is a registered nurse (RN) at TrueCare who has been with the company for about a year and a half. Her experience working with TrueCare illustrates what makes the work you will have the opportunity to do with the organization so special.

So, from the mouth of someone who lives and breathes the TrueCare mission and values, here’s a window into the unrivaled culture at TrueCare.

Why Did You Get into Health Care?

Shirley’s journey in health care started like many other people’s, but she said that life threw a wrench in her plan during her studies that altered her course.

“I started my journey at UCLA. I’m a Bruin. I started with the intention of becoming a pediatrician, pre-med. Life took me in a different direction, though, because my father needed surgery. He was the sole breadwinner, and I decided that I needed to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). From there, I basically had to start from scratch with my nursing prerequisites, and I found myself going to an amazing nursing school, the Los Angeles County School of Nursing. It was an amazing program that allowed me to become a registered nurse, and that’s what led me to where I am today,” said Shirley.

Shirley said the amazing thing about the Los Angeles County School of Nursing was the population, which prepared her to work with the patients she’s serving now with TrueCare.

“The wonderful thing about the program was the patient population we served. The Los Angeles School of Nursing is a program from the 1800s, and it has school halls with photos from when it was a diploma nursing program. The history of the school is amazing in and of itself. They have ties to the general hospital, and they have lots of ties to UCLA and Los Angeles County hospitals, too, that serve populations that are too often underserved that are, truthfully, very similar to those we work with at TrueCare, so it primed me for this role. We helped the homeless and migrant populations, people who truly needed advocates in the community,” reflected Shirley with fondness.

Shirley said that, ultimately, that experience helping communities that are too often underserved is what led her to work with our organization.

“That’s what ended up bringing me here. My husband is in the Air Force, and he got stationed here, so I wanted to look for somewhere in the community that had similar values, where we’re serving our underserved population – people who need someone to advocate for them,” explained Shirley.

Related Article: Meet the TrueCare Providers: Rachel Lum Ho, MD

How Could You Tell Your Values Aligned with TrueCare’s Values?

Still, this begs the question – how can you tell your values align with TrueCare’s values? Shirley shared some invaluable insights into how applicants like you can determine if your values are the right fit for TrueCare’s culture.

“That’s something that’s really important for people who work here. You have to be all in on the mission, and you have to have the same values. I was working inpatient at Loma Linda Mariette, and I had been looking to get my foot in the door with the outpatient setting. My long-term goal is to become a provider myself and circle back to once upon a time when I wanted to become a pediatrician, but now I want to go the nursing route. I want to become a family medicine provider (FMP) and take care of all ages, and to get that experience in the outpatient side of health care, I was looking at clinics to apply to,” recalled Shirley.

Shirley said that the statements and mission of the organization almost immediately resonated with her, and she knew that she had found somewhere that shared her same commitment to uplifting communities that are too often underserved from interviews.

“I was lucky enough to find TrueCare. Their mission statements and values are very clear, and they truly live them. Throughout the interview process, I truly felt like TrueCare cares about its community and its patients. That was what really impressed me,” said Shirley.

Ultimately, Shirley said that what matters most is passion and compassion.

“If you are trying to join the TrueCare family, it’s imperative that health care is your calling and you are passionate about putting the patients first. That’s what we do at TrueCare, so it’s important to showcase that during your interview. We care for our patients, so if that is your guiding light, you will fit right in,” beamed Shirley.

Why Do You Want to Be an FMP?

Shirley said that the passion to be a family medicine provider is nothing new and has always been there, so this goal is nothing new. It’s part of who she is.

“I actually volunteered abroad. I’ve done medical volunteering in Ecuador and Peru, and I thoroughly enjoyed going to the villages and helping people and teaching them about basic hygiene, blood pressure, vaccinations, all of these important medical concepts that feed into your health. It was something I really loved, and I look forward to being able to do that hopefully in a few years,” said Shirley.

What Kind of Education, Resources, and Programs Does TrueCare Provide Communities?

Because Shirley’s passion is educating people about their health, especially those who have never had access to quality health care, it is no surprise that something she loves the most about working at TrueCare is the education, resources, and programs they provide.

“I’m the educator in our clinic, so I love the time I’m able to spend with my patients. They can schedule an appointment with me, and I will walk them through whatever questions or concerns they have. Let’s say they’re newly diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. I’d spend a lot of one-on-one time reviewing their medications, diet tips, and even how to take certain medications. If they have any questions, I try to answer them to the best of my ability. If I don’t have the answers, I connect them with the providers who do, and that’s one of my favorite parts of the job. I get that special one-on-one time with patients, and it’s key to building trust and connections to improve their care,” smiled Shirley.

What Does an Integrated System of Warm Handoffs Mean for You as a Registered Nurse?

Shirley said that the confidence she has that she can spend time educating people and taking care of them, and knowing that she will be handing them off to someone who will provide that same level of care, is incredible. She says it feels like everyone is patient-first.

“It’s amazing, to be honest. I’m a nurse, and all of us nurses here at TrueCare triage our patients. Anybody who walks through the doors, we see them, and sometimes, there are things that are out of our scope or things we would like more help with. For instance, behavioral health is one of those. It’s absolutely amazing to be able to have two in-house behavioral health providers to be able to consult with and provide those warm handoffs when we need that higher level of collaboration,” said Shirley.

What’s Your Day-to-Day Role Life Like at TrueCare as a Nurse?

Shirley said that, as many health care professionals will understand, days on the job are rarely the same, which she said she appreciates because it keeps things interesting.

“My day-to-day life definitely changes. It’s always a surprise. I come in, and there are some things I have to do daily, like certain inspections, for example, and making sure oxygen tanks are good to go. But it’s always in flux, always changing,” said Shirley.

This dynamic is, ultimately, dependent on the community she serves, which is what Shirley said everything ties back to when you work at TrueCare.

“When they say they’re community first at TrueCare, they mean it. My day-to-day life here is very much dependent on our community. If anybody walks in, they’re my priority. If they walk in and don’t have an appointment and need to be seen because they’re having symptoms, I need to help them. These are the kinds of things that always come first ,and you can’t anticipate. I have appointments myself, as well, and some of those are education appointments. Those could be walking them through suture removals or teaching how to do certain injections. My day also revolves around monitoring our medication cabinets and making sure everything is up-to-date and there is no expired medication. My role encompasses a lot of responsibilities, and I keep an eye on the clinic overall,” said Shirley.

Shirley said that she loves having a variety of things that she can do every day.

“What’s the saying – variety is the spice of life? I definitely love having that variety in my day-to-day role. Every day can be different. I love the team I work with day in and day out, too. We’re like a really great family. I guess what’s important to know is that the day-to-day tasks might change, but that sense of fulfillment is constant,” said Shirley.

What Makes the Team at TrueCare Perris Special?

Shirley said that TrueCare Perris may be a little isolated when compared to other locations, but she wouldn’t trade the location for any other, saying it’s a great place to work.

“This clinic is special because we’re kind of our own island, all on our own. The majority of the TrueCare clinics are in San Diego County. We’re closer to Riverside. I’m sure this is true of other TrueCare clinics, but we truly have such a close bond across all titles and roles, whether it’s providers, medical assistants, receptionists, managers, or nurses. We’re very tight-knit, and we really are a cohesive group that works extremely well together for the best patient outcomes,” said Shirley.

What Would You Tell Somebody Who Wants to Join TrueCare?

Shirley also provided some invaluable insights for prospective applicants and interviewees like you who might be wondering how to shine and prepare for the interview process.

“If you want to join the TrueCare team, you definitely have to showcase that you’re a team player. Teamwork is so critical, and we really mesh together. We all work as one, and we all have each other’s backs. Good communication skills are important, too, so it’s important to make it clear that you are a good communicator and can establish a good line of communication with everyone for the best patient outcomes,” said Shirley.

Related Article: What is the Interview Process at TrueCare?

How Do You See Yourself Growing and Advancing in TrueCare?

Shirley said that she is very excited to continue to grow and develop in TrueCare, and that she sees herself growing within the organization or, if necessary, leaving to gain important experience but returning to help the community.

“I’m excited to continue growing as a nurse, and in my future, I hope to be able to be a Nurse Practitioner. I really hope to be able to say that I am a TrueCare Nurse Practitioner – that’s something that would make me really proud. I love serving our community, and I love our community. If I had to leave for whatever reason, I could definitely see myself circling back and rejoining the organization – that’s how much I love working here,” said Shirley.

How Has Your Global Perspective Shaped You as a Health Care Provider?

Shirley is the child of Ecuadorian immigrants, and she has spent ample time volunteering abroad, with her husband even being stationed in Japan. She said that, as a health care provider who works with diverse populations, this has been an invaluable asset.

“We have to incorporate the cultural aspect if we want to provide good health care. You have to understand cultures to be able to connect with people and build that trust, and that’s something that we do really well at TrueCare and, ultimately, something that sets us apart as a clinic. Bringing that to the table will go a long way,” said Shirley.

Are You Inspired by the Words and Journey of Shirley Seferino, RN? Explore Open Roles at TrueCare Today!

Shirley Seferino’s journey is proof that the right workplace isn’t just about a job description. It’s about finding a home for your passion. At TrueCare, you’re not just filling a role; you’re stepping into a mission that changes lives daily, including your own.

If you’ve been searching for a place where your skills, compassion, and drive can truly make a difference, this is your moment. Join a team that believes in you as much as it believes in the people we serve because the community is waiting, and so is your next chapter.

Explore career opportunities at TrueCare today!

From UCLA to TrueCare: How Shirley Seferino, RN, Found Her Purpose Serving Underserved Communities