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A timeline of Carol Banawa's journey to becoming a US nurse
Carol Banawa received the Most Outstanding Migrant Award in the United States, recognizing her journey as a Filipino migrant who built a career in healthcare.
But before receiving the recognition, Banawa spent years building a career in healthcare after leaving the Philippines and moving to the United States in 2003.
Here’s a timeline of her journey, from her move to the U.S. to earning her master’s degree in nursing.
2003: Move to the US
Carol moved to the United States with her husband Ryan Crisostomo and their two children. In 2021, they welcomed their third child, making them a family of five.
Before migrating, Carol was already an established singer in the Philippines, known for hits “Tanging Yaman,” “Bakit ‘Di Totohanin,” and “Iingatan Ka.”
2005: Beginning of healthcare career
Two years after moving to the US, Carol began working in healthcare as a Certified Nurse Aide in Arizona.
2010: Licensed Practical Nurse
Carol continued her education and training in healthcare, earning her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate in 2010.
2018: Associate Degree in Nursing
Carol completed her Associate Degree in Nursing and graduated summa cum laude from Northern Virginia Community College in 2018.
In the same year, she became a registered nurse in the United States.
2020: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Carol continued her studies after becoming a registered nurse. In 2020, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University at 40 years old.
In the same year, she served as a frontline nurse in the US during the pandemic.
2025: Master’s Degree in Nursing
In May 2025, Carol announced that she had completed her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner at Saint Joseph's College of Maine.
The degree came nearly 20 years after she first entered the healthcare field.
2026: Most Outstanding Migrant Award
When Carol recently received the Most Outstanding Migrant Award, she also took the opportunity to reflect on her journey.
“Looking back, every challenge, every sacrifice, every late night, and every moment I wanted to give up brought me one step closer to this moment,” she said.
“As a proud Filipino, I accept this award on behalf of every migrant who has left home in search of a better future,” she added.
—CDC, GMA News
