MANILA, Philippines – Actor Carlos Morales didn't let a good showbiz career or even his age stop him from pursuing his dream. At the age of 47, he passed the 2023 National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and became a licensed nurse in the US.
Carlos, whose real name is Carlin Morales Woodruff Jr., worked as an actor while studying nursing at Olivarez College in Paranaque City. He persisted because, like other actors, he knows that a career in show business rarely lasts long.
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| Carlos Morales passed NCLEX at the age of 47 | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Carl Woorduff Jr |
Carlos, whose real name is Carlin Morales Woodruff Jr., worked as an actor while studying nursing at Olivarez College in Paranaque City. He persisted because, like other actors, he knows that a career in show business rarely lasts long.
SEE ALSO: Ronnie Liang pursues PhD degree as an ‘investment’ for his future
Carlos left the Philippines for the US at the height of the pandemic. He was able to fly to the US since his father is a former U.S. serviceman named Carl Woodruff Sr.
The former actor admitted that leaving everything he worked hard for in the Philippines was risky. However, it was a risk he was willing to take. He was determined to pass the NCLEX because he knew how in-demand medical professionals were.
“At least with health care, walang work hiatus. So I left everything behind not knowing what’s going to happen, but my goal is to pass NCLEX at all costs! Of course, everything comes with a cost. Leaving everything behind was a hard decision on my part, but I tried to be firm with the future that I wanted; no turning back anymore,” Carlos recalled.
Carlos took on odd jobs while waiting for his NCLEX application. He even worked as a hamburger flipper at McDonald's, which he described as “the hardest job I’ve ever had in my life.”
After that, he worked as a homecare manager and also did caregiving as a side hustle. At one point, he also worked at a COVID-19 facility, which he said was “fulfilling on my part.” Then, he finally moved to San Francisco Healthcare and Rehabilitation while reviewing for the NCLEX.
“I’m an infection preventionist and admission coordinator for that facility. I would juggle studying and working at the same time,” he explained.
Unfortunately, his plans of taking the 2022 NCLEX were put on hold when his mother died. He had to fly back to the Philippines and cancel his NCLEX schedule because he was too devastated to take the exam.
Finally, 2023 was Carlos' year when he took the 2023 NCLEX on March 27 and passed. “When January 2023 came, I took the NCLEX because, in my heart, I knew that this is what my mom wanted for me—to finish and achieve my goal,” he said.
According to Carlos, while he is now living a quiet life in the United States, he is not completely closing his doors to Philippine showbiz if a good opportunity arises. Carlos has been in the entertainment industry since the 1990s and is part of the iconic variety show, That's Entertainment. He went on to star in several TV series, such as Recuerdo de Amor, Rosalinda, Wildflower, and more. He was part of the historical film El Presidente with Jeorge "E.R." Ejercito Estregan, Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, and others.
— Sally, The Summit Express
The former actor admitted that leaving everything he worked hard for in the Philippines was risky. However, it was a risk he was willing to take. He was determined to pass the NCLEX because he knew how in-demand medical professionals were.
“At least with health care, walang work hiatus. So I left everything behind not knowing what’s going to happen, but my goal is to pass NCLEX at all costs! Of course, everything comes with a cost. Leaving everything behind was a hard decision on my part, but I tried to be firm with the future that I wanted; no turning back anymore,” Carlos recalled.
Carlos took on odd jobs while waiting for his NCLEX application. He even worked as a hamburger flipper at McDonald's, which he described as “the hardest job I’ve ever had in my life.”
After that, he worked as a homecare manager and also did caregiving as a side hustle. At one point, he also worked at a COVID-19 facility, which he said was “fulfilling on my part.” Then, he finally moved to San Francisco Healthcare and Rehabilitation while reviewing for the NCLEX.
“I’m an infection preventionist and admission coordinator for that facility. I would juggle studying and working at the same time,” he explained.
Unfortunately, his plans of taking the 2022 NCLEX were put on hold when his mother died. He had to fly back to the Philippines and cancel his NCLEX schedule because he was too devastated to take the exam.
Finally, 2023 was Carlos' year when he took the 2023 NCLEX on March 27 and passed. “When January 2023 came, I took the NCLEX because, in my heart, I knew that this is what my mom wanted for me—to finish and achieve my goal,” he said.
According to Carlos, while he is now living a quiet life in the United States, he is not completely closing his doors to Philippine showbiz if a good opportunity arises. Carlos has been in the entertainment industry since the 1990s and is part of the iconic variety show, That's Entertainment. He went on to star in several TV series, such as Recuerdo de Amor, Rosalinda, Wildflower, and more. He was part of the historical film El Presidente with Jeorge "E.R." Ejercito Estregan, Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, and others.
— Sally, The Summit Express
