Isa nang ganap na registered nurse sa Amerika ang award-winning aktor na si Carlos Morales sa edad na 47. Nag-take siya ng National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) at masuwerteng nakapasa dito noong March 27, 2023.

Sa Amerika, ang NCLEX ay isang eksaminasyon na kailangang kunin ng mga Nursing graduates para maging lisensyadong nurse. 

Sa interbyu ng PUSH kay Carlos via Facebook Messenger ay naikuwento ng aktor na nagdesisyon siyang iwanan ang pag-arte sa Pliipinas at makipagsapalaran sa Amerika noong kasag-sagan ng covid-19 pandemic. Dito siya nagkaroon ng ideya na ituloy ang matagal na niyang pangarap na maging registered nurse sa US.

“Nagpunta ako sa Amerika at the height of pandemic, around June of 2020. Sobrang higpit that time and hindi natin alam kung anong mangyayari sa atin no’n kaya nag-decide ako to pursue ‘tong NCLEX ko kasi need din ng mga nurses specifically that time.

“Something worth doing and fulfilling yon kesa ma-stuck sa bahay. Tapos everything was so chaotic, everyone was confined in their homes. So, that made me think to just go back to the US and pursue my nursing career.

“At least with health care, walang hiatus. So I left everything behind not knowing what’s going to happen but my goal is to pass NCLEX at all cost,” ani Carlos.

“Siyempre, everything comes with a cost. Mahirap na desisyon for me na iwanan ang showbiz but I tried to be firm with the future that I want—no turning back anymore,” dagdag pa ng aktor.

Nabanggit din ni Carlos na habang nag-a-apply para sa NCLEX ay nagtrabaho muna siya sa McDonald’s bilang hamburger flipper.

Kuwento ni Carlos, “Siyempre, when you’re starting again, it’s not always [a] bed of roses. You have to start somewhere before reaching your goal. When I started applying for my NCLEX application and I know it’s going to take six months at least, I decided to work for the meantime, and the fastest way is to apply at McDonald’s.

“That was the hardest job I’ve ever had in my life so I really salute the fast food restaurants’ crews. After that, I worked as a care manager for CareAmerica Homecare Services. I helped assess clients and make a specific care plan for patients. On the side, I would do caregiving too if we don’t have available staff.”

Nagtrabaho din si Carlos bilang infection preventionist at admission coordinator sa San Francisco Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility habang nagre-review para sa kanyang NCLEX.

“In terms of reviewing naman, it took me six months to review. Kailangan talaga focus kasi NCLEX is more of critical thinking and patient safety, not just memorizing the content. Pero siyempre, you need to know the basics, and maganda dapat foundation mo to pass the test. Mahirap din but thank God nakapasa,” pagmamalaki pa ni Carlos.

Aminado ang aktor na pangarap ng kanyang yumaong ina na si Lilia Morales na maging isang registered nurse siya sa Amerika kaya pinagsumikapan niya ito nang husto.

“Noong January 2023, I took the NCLEX because in my heart, I know that this is what my mom wanted for me, to finish and achieve my goal. Finally, I took it last March 27 and I passed it,” aniya.

Ibinahagi rin sa PUSH ni Carlos na ang talagang pangarap niya noon ay maging doctor kaya kumuha siya noon ng Nursing course (pre-med) sa Olivarez College (Parañaque) bago pinasok ang pag-aartista.

“Pre-med ko sana ang Nursing before, kaso mahirap na mapagsabay ang showbiz dati at yan kaya tinapos ko muna ang Nursing bago mag-concentrate sa showbiz noon.

“Yon sana ang route ko para maging doctor pero hindi ko na na-pursue. But still, being a nurse still serves the people at the same time it will definitely help my family as well,” pagre-recall pa niya.

Maraming nagawang mga peikula si Carlos noon pero ang Laro Sa Baga ang very memorable para sa kanya.

“Madaming films na memorable pero siyempre Laro Sa Baga will top the list. Don ako na-nominate sa Urian at nanalo ng Best Actor sa Star Awards. I love working with Direk Chito (Roño) and with your support, also Direk Joven Tan, and my manager that time na si Dondon Monteverde. Na-appreciate ko lahat yon. Thank you sa inyo,” sambit pa niya.

Kahit RN na sa US ay hindi pa rin naman daw totally iiwanan ni Carlos ang pag-arte. In fact, gusto niyang mag-guest sana sa FPJ’s Batang Quiapo kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon ni Coco Martin kapag nagbakasyon siya dito sa Pilipinas.

“Hindi ko naman totally iiwanan ang showbiz. Babalik pa rin ako. In fact, may naka line-up ako, but in the works pa yung Wildboys na parang Pinoy Magic Mike/Step Up movie. And if makakasama tayo sa Batang Quiapo uuwi ako,” sabi ng aktor.

47 years old na si Carlos bago naging isang ganap na registered nurse. Patunay lang ito na hindi hadlang ang kahit anong edad para matupad ang pangarap sa buhay.

“Ang advice ko lang sa mga may edad na or madaming obstacles or struggles na pinag dadaanan pero gusto makatapos is, just keep on moving forward and siguradong merong finish line yan. God will bless you with your hard work.

“IF I CAN DO IT KAYA NYO DIN YAN. TRUST IN THE LORD!” words of encouragement mula kay Carlos.

Samantala, naging bahagi si Carlos noon ng teleseryeg Wildflower at madalas ding maging guest sa MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya). Kabilang sa mga nagawa niyang pelikula bukod sa Laro Sa Baga ay ang Modus, Alfred Lim: The Untold Story, Bigasan, Onsehaan, Bayaran, Tatarin, Red Diaries, among others. Sa indie film na Piring (Blindfold) ay writer-director naman si Carlos