True leadership is not just about achieving success; it’s about defining it on your own terms. Dely Go, featured in Enterprise Wired as one of the Most Inspiring Leaders in Healthcare, has built her career on a philosophy that extends far beyond the bottom line. Rooted in the five core nursing knowledge: Empirical, Personal, Aesthetical, Ethical, and Emancipatory. As President of the Nursing Network, her approach is holistic and deeply human.
From treating every person with respect, regardless of their background, to providing her team with lifetime bonuses, Dely has cultivated a company culture that prioritizes people above all else. In a field that can often feel impersonal, her story is a powerful reminder that compassion, integrity, and a commitment to uplifting others are the true hallmarks of a great leader.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Dely Go’s life changed forever when her four in-laws were murdered in the Philippines. For their own safety, she and her family fled to the United States with only a few hundred dollars. They left everything behind, and the family found themselves living in a one-bedroom attic. Her children cried constantly, missing their nannies, friends, and old life. Her husband was devastated, consumed by pain, anger, and fear.
Dely knew she had to do something. She remembered her father’s words: “Inday Dely, do whatever you can with what you have wherever you are.” Those words were the motivation she needed to turn her life around. She recognized her greatest asset was her nursing knowledge and leadership skills. She took the nursing board exam and passed it immediately. Her solid understanding of nursing leadership quickly led to a promotion to Assistant Director of Nursing. At the same time, she also worked as an Open Heart Surgery Operating Room nurse.
A New Beginning with Nursing Network, LLC
As an Assistant Director of Nursing in a long-term care facility, Dely was in charge of staffing. Due to a nursing shortage, the facility relied heavily on expensive nursing agencies. She discovered the facility was paying high rates, but the nurses were not receiving fair pay for their services.
Determined to help both the facility and the nurses, Dely founded her own company, Nursing Network, LLC. Her business model was simple yet effective: the facility would pay $5 less per hour, and the nurses would be paid $5 more per hour. This formula was a success. She started with only three nurses, but word of her fair rates spread, and the number of nurses grew to 30. More applicants began applying every day. Soon, other healthcare facilities in New Jersey sought out her services, and her company became one of the most in-demand agencies in the state.
Dely has been the owner and president of Nursing Network, LLC since 1999, and the company has now been in business for 26 years. Through her venture and its success, Dely and her family rebuilt their lives.
The Vision for Affordable and Quality Healthcare
Dely Go’s vision was to provide affordable healthcare, uplift the lives of hard-working nurses, and ensure patients received quality, safe care. Her company, Nursing Network, LLC, grew to serve over 33 facilities with a team of more than 500 nurses before the COVID-19 pandemic affected the healthcare industry.
When Dely first started her company, she held a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and felt challenged by other nurses who had higher degrees and more advanced knowledge. Despite the demanding schedule of running a business and caring for her family, she pursued higher education. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing and then a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), graduating Summa Cum Laude.
A Recognized Leader and Innovator
Her academic and professional achievements brought her widespread recognition and numerous awards. Dely was named one of the “50 Best Women in NJ” and was featured in the Wall Street Journal as one of the “20 Most Outstanding People in the whole world.” She was also recognized as the “Outstanding Nurse Entrepreneur” by the Philippine Nurses Association of America and received the “1999 Woman of PEACE Award,” among many other international honors.
A Lasting Legacy of Nursing Knowledge
Dely Go’s vision for Nursing Network, LLC was built on a foundation of five core nursing principles:
- Empirical Knowledge: The science of nursing.
- Personal Knowledge: The understanding of self and others.
- Aesthetical Knowledge: The art of nursing.
- Ethical Knowledge: The moral component of care.
- Emancipatory Knowledge: The ability to recognize injustice and create social change.
She believed these principles were essential for every nurse, regardless of their position or the size of the company. Dely treated everyone she worked with—from those with limited education to those with multiple degrees—with the same respect and attention, always striving to build a relationship of trust.
While many competing healthcare agencies were founded after hers, they often did not last. This was because Dely developed unique and effective recruitment and retention strategies. Her company offered lifetime bonuses to nurses, which encouraged them to stay, and she managed to build her business with a zero-expense marketing approach.
A Commitment to Excellence and Care
Dely Go’s company, Nursing Network, LLC, is built on a foundation of professional and compassionate care. She prides herself on hiring seasoned and well-mannered nurses who consistently use therapeutic communication and maintain a high level of professionalism. To retain this top talent, Dely offers lifetime bonuses or profit-sharing, which encourages nurses to give their all and maintain strong, lasting relationships with clients.
Her dedication has earned her and her company a number of awards and recognitions. Nursing Network, LLC provides facilities with permanent agency nurses who are familiar with the patients and their cases, ensuring continuity of care. This approach has led to high satisfaction among patients and their families, who are confident that their loved ones are receiving consistent, high-quality care. Many clients have trusted her company for all 26 years of its operation, a true testament to the quality of their services.
Working in Harmony for Patient Care
Dely Go’s company, Nursing Network, LLC, maintains a positive and productive environment by ensuring all nurses and clients work together for the good of the patients. Her team is well-versed in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, and is up-to-date on current technology trends in healthcare. Dely believes that while the healthcare system may undergo major changes in the future, such as departmental restructuring that affects financial reimbursement, her company is prepared to adapt.
Upholding Standards and Ethics
Dely emphasizes that HIPAA law must be practiced at all times. She ensures her nurses comply with the highest standards by consistently applying the nursing process, nursing theories, and nursing practices. She believes the most important knowledge for a nurse to possess is ethical and aesthetical knowledge. Failing to apply these principles can lead to immediate termination and may even result in a report to the Board of Nursing, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of a nurse’s license. This strict adherence to professional and ethical standards is what guarantees patient safety and the continued success of her company.
Fostering a Culture of Openness and Respect
Dely Go attributes her company’s success to a culture of open communication and mutual respect. She ensures her expectations are clear from the outset, and she actively listens to her nurses’ suggestions and concerns. By treating her entire team like a family, she has cultivated a harmonious and supportive work environment. This approach has not only strengthened relationships but has also contributed to the overall quality of care provided by Nursing Network, LLC.
