Health Career Journeys: Olivia Li

On this special bonus episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer & Host at CGFNS International, Inc., sits down with Dr. Olivia Wei Li, RN, MSN, EdD, an International Nursing Educator and Consultant whose remarkable career spans continents and decades. With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Li shares her inspiring journey from China to the United Kingdom, Canada, and finally the United States, where she now thrives as a nurse educator and mentor to aspiring health professionals.

This bonus episode, titled Health Career Journeys, shines a spotlight on the personal and professional pathways of health workers worldwide, offering an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs they face along the way. As part of an ongoing series, future bonus episodes will feature similarly inspiring profiles, showcasing stories of resilience, ambition, and global impact from health professionals who are shaping the future of healthcare.

Olivia’s story begins in her kindergarten classroom, where a childhood dream of being a “guardian angel” planted the seeds of her career in healthcare. Encouraged by her parents, she pursued nursing at China Medical University, building a strong foundation in knowledge and skills. However, witnessing human suffering as an ICU nurse inspired her to further her education, leading her to the University of Wales in the UK for a master’s degree in nursing.

The transition to a new culture and language was challenging. Olivia recalls learning English one sentence at a time, a process that demanded vulnerability and perseverance. Her time in the UK not only enhanced her critical thinking and research skills but also broadened her perspective on global nursing.

After completing her master’s, Olivia faced a 12-year wait to immigrate to the U.S. due to hiring freezes and visa limitations. Despite the delay, her determination never faltered. When the opportunity arose, she moved to California and began her career as a nursing educator.

Now based in Hawaii, Dr. Li empowers the next generation of nurses through teaching, mentorship, and entrepreneurial initiatives supporting internationally educated nurses. Her dedication to helping others achieve their goals reflects her lifelong commitment to making a difference locally and globally.

Dr. Li’s advice to aspiring nurses and health workers is profound: dream big, stay determined, and take actionable steps toward your goals. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, education, and the boundless opportunities available to those willing to embrace career mobility.

To hear Dr. Li’s full story and gain insights into her extraordinary journey, tune in to this inspiring bonus episode of Care Anywhere.

Follow Along for More Episodes!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Image
How Polygon’s Smart Moisture Control System Protected a Mass Timber Student Housing Project
October 16, 2025

Amid the rise of sustainable architecture, mass timber has become a powerful symbol of progress — a material that marries renewable design with modern efficiency. Yet, in the damp climate of Vancouver, BC, sustainability meets its match: moisture. Managing humidity levels in large-scale wood construction isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s about protecting structural…

Read More
Classroom air quality and student performance
The Hidden Factor Shaping Student Success: Classroom Air Quality
October 15, 2025

By Dan Walsh, VP & GM at AAA Home Services, and Christine Willing, CEO of Think Happy Live Healthy. Why Air Quality Matters in Schools When we think about improving schools, conversations often center on curriculum, technology, or staffing. But there’s a silent, invisible factor that profoundly influences student health, behavior, and learning outcomes: the…

Read More
Chase Harris
Faith, Fatherhood, and Fortitude: Inside Chase Harris’ Mission to Make Accessibility Possible for Every Child
October 15, 2025

Chase Harris is a father, husband, entrepreneur, and all-around force of light. Alongside his wife, Carly, and their son, Cash, he has inspired millions online through messages of resilience, faith, and family. Their story is one of turning adversity into action — and hardship into hope. “We knew early on that Cash had this special…

Read More
accounting career
How Shanice Scott Reinvented Her Accounting Career — And Found Her ‘Why’
October 15, 2025

The accounting pipeline is in flux. After years of decline in new graduates, the AICPA reported that bachelor’s completions fell 7.8% in 2021–22 and master’s fell 6.4%. In Fall 2024, undergraduate accounting enrollment rebounded by about 12%, while graduate enrollment continued to dip, underscoring a profession still recalibrating its talent model. For those building or…

Read More