Precious “Gem” Inay

Precious “Gem” Inay, MSN, RN, CEN, ONC, is an innovative nurse leader with over two decades of diverse nursing experience. A proud recipient of the Philip D. Raso Scholarship, she is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at William Paterson University, New Jersey, where she also earned her Master of Science in Nursing Administration. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines, where her clinical acumen and leadership foundation were first cultivated.

Inspired by her father, Gem entered the nursing profession with a deep desire to serve. Over time, this calling evolved into a profound passion for advocacy, compassion, and patient-centered care. Her greatest motivation stems from the opportunity to make meaningful connections with patients, families, and fellow nurses, fostering healing environments through empathy and empowerment.

Gem’s decision to pursue a DNP reflects her unwavering commitment to lead with resilience, advance health equity, and navigate the ever-evolving complexities of healthcare. With her advanced education, she aims to influence practice and policy while nurturing the next generation of nurses.

Gem serves as a Nursing Professional Development Practitioner at Englewood Hospital, where she mentors and empowers nurses through evidence-based education and translational practice. She holds national certifications in emergency and orthopedic nursing (CEN and ONC), and her leadership is rooted in advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement.

Gem pursues opportunities for personal and professional growth through her involvement in nursing organizations. Beyond membership, she holds leadership roles that allow her to make impactful, lasting contributions to the nursing profession and the broader community. Gem has presented at local and national conferences, including podium and poster presentations of her abstract, "Identification of Abuse and Human Trafficking in the ED: An Interdisciplinary Approach," in Las Vegas, New York, New Jersey, and Detroit. Her systematic review on Direct-to-CT Protocol and Door-to-Needle Time was published in an international peer-reviewed journal, contributing to stroke care optimization. Gem is an Honoree of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, Institute for Nursing (IFN) in Education, and recently received the “Most Outstanding Asian American of 2025 Award” for her unwavering dedication.

Beyond the clinical setting, Gem is a passionate community leader. As president of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey (PNANJ), Bergen Passaic, she led her team in winning both the Daisy Team Award from PNANJ and the PNA America. She has been honored by the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), Bergen County Commissioners, and the County Executive for her outstanding leadership in the community. 

Gem believes in limitless potential within every nurse. Through her DNP journey, she aspires to shape healthcare policy, advance academic scholarship, and promote social justice through nursing practice. She hopes her path will inspire others to rise to their fullest potential.

Receiving the Philip D. Raso Scholarship for proven nursing excellence in leadership and management is extremely significant for Gem.  It affirms her dedication, celebrates her accomplishments, and fuels her continued growth as a transformational nurse leader. With this support, she is determined to enhance patient care, elevate the nursing profession, and lead with purpose.