When 200,000 Nurses apply for 500 available nursing positions

Warning: This entry would mostly contain my frustrations about landing in a nursing related job.

It's a foggy, windy, chilly morning...but things are heating up (especially my dear laptop) because of the ongoing online application for the PhilHealth CARES program. YES, indeed! It is another government program for thousands of unemployed Filipino nurses, and sad to say I am one of them.

To start off, I am proud to say that I AM a registered nurse since August 2010. However, what disappoints me is that for nearly two years already I am not still employed as a nurse (staff nurse, clinical instructor,etc) nor do I have a job related to nursing. Others say that I should not worry for I'm still young but WTH, time is gold as they say:P... I'm still thankful though for I have worked as a private duty nurse a day before the NLE July 2010 result came out. I've worked my butt off through sleepless nights enduring the cold temperature. I did have good pay at first but as months passes by I felt that being a PDN is not enough training ground for me to practice what I have learned from my four year stay in college. But still I managed to practicing my profession as a PDN for nearly a year. this early employment made me despise being a volunteer nurse, where you as the volunteer need to pay an amount to get an experience. I have tried earning money so it's difficult for me to change gears and do something where I do not earn any amount. Plus, I am not given any allowance so that makes volunteering unacceptable for me. Volunteering would be my last option.haha. The pay was also just enough so I took my chance and landed on a teaching school catering Korean students who want to learn children.

I was happy about my decision for the salary was really good and I enjoyed teaching those cute little Koreans. Sadly, after the winter camp, I had no teaching load already. So i decided to end my temporary profession as a teacher. 

     That was in time when the government announced The RN HEALS program which aims to serve unemployed Filipino nurses. I immediately filed my application online as soon as I learned of the news, though I didn't have my license yet since I was really determined to land in a nursing job as soon as possible. **License processing the Filipino way: IT took me five months before I got hold of my license.** According to what I have understood, the screening process includes several interview. But what happened is, there were already chosen applicants even before the application ended. That really took me by surprise so I was disappointed. For the next days-months, I've got no work.

     Then... came another opportunity. RN HEALS II was again made available for still thousands and thousands of unemployed nurses. This time I have my license already so I was confident enough to sign up for an application. PLUS I did my best to bring my application early. As they say "The early bird catches the early worm."Luck was not with me for again I was not chosen to be one of the successful applicants. What made me more sad was that they turned the cards upside down; unfortunately among ten thousand nurses that they employed, the LATE BIRDS were the ones who landed in a nursing position. Lucky for those late birds they were able to have their late worms. ADD up the idea of BACKER SYSTEM which is really rampant in the Philippines. That totally disappointed me.

     Then here comes opportunity number three, the RN HEALS III program. Again, I sent my application for this. I also had the idea of sending my application at the end of the registration period for they might again choose the late applicants. But still, I applied for the job early. They said the results would be released on the second week of February through text or call. Tomorrow would be the third week of February so I guess I was not again given the chance to practice my nursing skill ( but that has to be confirmed first). I'm still hoping to see myself practicing my profession in the next month. *fingers crossed*

     And now the MAIN EVENT!! Opportunity number 4: PHILHEALTH CARES: Another program by the government to (AGAIN!!) cater to the unending number of unemployed nurses. So I took my chance again. The online application was from Feb.12- Feb 14. February 12, 12 midnight I was up to check if the site was already available, for I knew early in the morning it would be tormenting to sign up. But the site was still unavailable...until it was 2 am, then 3 then 5, then 6, then 7, then 8..Still unavailable. I laughed at the idea that maybe even the online application would practice office hours which starts from 8 am. Then about 8:15, viola.... There it was, the magnificent, most awaited application form. I knew time was my enemy, for thousands of nurses like me slept with their eyes half closed to be able to get through the application process. It took me two attempts before I could finish the form. When I clicked on the final button which says "register" the page read "PROBLEM LOADING FAILED". I freaked out for this may mean another waste of opportunity. But thanks to the refresh button I was able to submit my application successfully.

They would only provide positions for 500 nurses nationwide satisfying only 500/200,000 unemployed/underemployed nurses in the country. Luckily I was applicant number 30. If luck would be with me this time, I have a greater chance for having a nursing work next month. That is why I really pray that it would be in a first come first serve basis. Selfish, it may be but I guess that's how things really work. You fail then you stand again.

But what makes this scenario funny is that, online application is not as easy as clicking on the enter button to finish your application. As of the moment my co-nurses are having a hard time figuring out on how to finish the whole process. They always end up on a page which says "PROBLEM LOADING PAGE" or "PRC Unavailable". Others go crazy too after refreshing the page they were filling out thaurt noticed that the picture on their form was not theirs. Some may get tired of clicking on the refresh button time and time again. Most get paranoid for they fear that it would be on a first come first serve basis and they would turn out to be applicant number 12,000. I guess almost everyone also skipped breakfast 9and lunch, it's 12;45 already) just to finish this application. i was also supposed to go to Church but I ended up writing this loooooooonnnnggg blog and at least helping others out.

Breaking news:Some of those who were paranoid asking too much about the process was able to get through the application process. it took them 5 hours to submit an application. It's almost the same as the waiting time when you submit an application personally.

Happy for them:) But some, they're still on the mighty spell of the words "problem loading page". And I'm also glad and happy that I finished the application in not more than 30 minutes and being able to share tips and suggestions to my co nurses.

    I am a total bum for 2 moths already, staying at home sending lots of  applications for online jobs but not getting any response. I have barely 500 pesos on my pocket which I need to budget, the fact that I am going to school. It feels so awful when you're only at home doing nothing and earning nothing. So I'm really hoping I would be chosen here. This would be my 5th application attempt already, excluding the online jobs I applied to. Hopefully, with my fingers crossed, and with the grace of GOD, I would be one of those successful applicants.

Motherhood: From a Daughter's Point of View

          I dream of being a mom...scratch that...I  dream of being the BESTEST mom. Some may say  that being a mother is the hardest job of all. But I guess, being in that position is not considered as a job and is not hard at all,most especially if you really embrace the essence of being a mother, dedicate your life to being a "perfect" one, and embracing the joy that only motherhood has to offer.   It is a beautiful blessing, a wonderful experience that only us women could experience.

          Yes I know, being a mom is not only about taking care of babies, but carrying that baby with you for 9 months. But isn't that wonderful? God has  given you much time to bond with your child, a bond which should continually grow and increase for a lifetime. I often picture myself going to the doctor, hands tightly locked with my husband, totally excited to have a glimpse of our baby through ultrasound and learning more about his/her growth. I always imagine myself and my partner having a good time buying baby clothes, talking about possible names for our baby, and talking with our baby growing in my womb. I see these, and other "motherhood preparation activities", as something special,special experiences to be treasured and never to be wasted.

          (This is one thing I totally love to think about)

          And of course, the right time would come for this baby to have his/her first look of the new world he/she would grow into. Most, if not all mothers would again say that giving birth is the most solid form of pain, the pain of all pain, the agony of all agonies. I as well would suffer that pain,but why not  endure,cherish and appreciate that moment of being able to go through it. Being strong and ignoring the pain to bear a child is a great sign of how much you love your child. Described as being the hardest form of pain, then I guess it's right for me to say that mothers who do not complain much about labor pains are willing to suffer and  go through all torments with her child, without complaining too much of how difficult it is to raise a child, without fussing about the sleepless nights they need to cope up to, without whimpering and whining about how ugly they look. But who cares? There is no need to trade being up all night singing a lullaby to your child to having enough sleep to stay attractive. There are tons of solutions to regain beauty, whereas lost time would never be regained.

          With all these in mind, it makes me more excited to be the best  mom I could be in the future, to be my childrens' ultimate best friend, to be their first teacher, to hug and kiss them anytime from their birth until they grow old, to cry with them when they feel sad, to listen to their heart breaks and tell them mine, to sleep with them even if they're grown ups already, to have good laughs with them, to scold them when I have to but embrace them afterwards, to tell them how to live life, to tell them how blessed I am to have them in my life,  and most of all to tell them I LOVE YOU every single day. I promise to be the best mom to the point that my child would complain about me being so uber good :p

*More motherhood thoughts/updates on the upcoming blogs*

Photo credit: http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-dad-kissing-mums-belly-monochrome-image1114332 

Beach; for fun and for health

            The beach has always been a place for relaxation for everyone, a haven where one could momentarily escape from the very busy life the world brings. It is a destination for any types of person, both young and old, men and women, the depressed or the ecstatic ones; these different types of persons could find their own solace where they would surely enjoy.

            The breath taking sunset as well as the majestic sunrise would surely captivate the eyes of anyone who would look at it, especially couples who are really in love and would find this scenic view as romantic. Walking along the seashore and holding hands is also a simple way of bringing out the sweetness of the ocean.

            Aside from that, it also serves as a destination for athletes or of those involved in exercise. Running along the seashore is seen as more effective than running on plain ground because of the higher pressure exerted when running on the sand. This pressure and tension also helps in keeping the bones strong. By simply walking, calories are burned up.

             The heat of the sun would not only serve as a natural tanning process but is also a source of Vitamin D which is an important factor in bone maintenance and which is rarely found in foods.

            For the outgoing types of personalities, they would surely enjoy the night life; the socialization, the drinking, the dancing, and the people they meet. But most of all, the beach serves as a perfect arena for family bonding.  There are lots to do when on the beach. The family could enjoy a sumptuous meal and then each can have their own private moments thereafter. Mom and Dad can enjoy each other’s company walking along the seashore while the kids are improving their teamwork by building sandcastles or by simply running around.

             The beach is also a perfect place keeps us close and one with nature. The exquisite views are simply breath taking. The fresh, warm, salty air drifts us away from our over booked life. It keeps us floated to this extraordinary refuge, a blissful sanctuary, a heavenly solace...the ocean.

Internet Addiction; the Good Side and the Bad Side

           Friendster, Twitter, My Space, Tumblr, Facebook; these are some of the most popular social networking sites, with facebook leading the pack with a total number of 750 million active users (as of July 2011); where individuals of any age, gender, race, or occupation addictively indulge into. Social networking has become a part of the daily lifestyle of most people worldwide due to the fact that these social medias are excellent in sharing photos, videos, and information and undeniably superior in connecting with friends and families all over the world. Aside from that, Facebook is a happy, wonderful, pleasant and beautiful world where one can post and share only the crème de la crème of their lives. However, researchers suggest that Facebook addiction is becoming a serious problem increasingly affecting large groups of people.

          People are able and are willing spend their maximum time on these social networking sites. A day would not be complete without updating their Facebook status or blogging a photo on Tumblr. On the other hand, a decrease in time spent of Facebook would leave the users curious and anxious maybe as what would be written on their walls or if someone had already commented on the photo they have posted. Each day, they crave for more satisfaction up to the point where they lose sleep because of being logged on in these networking sites and, upon waking up, logging on takes the number one spot on their to-do-list. Also, homeworks or jobs are neglected much to the point where one’s own health is at risk because of giving more importance to Facebook.

          Facebook has become a different world where people would “meet” virtually. Asking someone if they have a Facebook account has become customary when meeting new people. Then they would say, “add me”, or “see you on Facebook”. This virtual world is taking its toll on us already.

          We are in the digital age now where the internet unite with every activity of each individual. The internet affects persons in different ways. Some may find it conducive while some may already be under its destructive consequences. Internet addiction is already taking its toll, it is but important to remind ourselves of our acts to minimize this addiction. One should always see to it that there is balance between having a real social life from a “virtual social life”. Relationships are imperative. However, it becomes more precious when maintained in a reality where you get to feel and see other people and not merely by fabricating your own exciting and happy social virtual life.

Treating Arthritis the Easy Way

                Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease causing pain, stiffness, and decrease in functioning of joints leading to loss of movement of the affected area. It is an extensive dilemma affecting many parts of the world. The worst part of which, is that it may cause severe disability in affected individuals. There are more than a hundred types of arthritis but the most common of which are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

                Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune in nature causing the immune system to assault the joints, skin, blood vessels, as well as the heart and lung muscles. It affects women two to three times more than men. Symptoms are usually acute. The small joints of hands, wrists, and feet are primarily affected. Osteoarthritis on the other hand, is slow and progressive mostly affecting the weight bearing joints like the hips, knees, and spine. The elderly who are generally affected experience pain, muscle spasm, limited movement and stiffness of joints commonly experienced in the morning.

                Here are some tips on how to reduce arthritis disturbances. Heat application on the affected joint relaxes the muscle around it and alleviates pain. When swelling is lessened, mild exercises are best performed to avoid contracture and malformation of the joints. Walking as a form of exercise is an effective natural therapy for arthritis. This is started in moderation and increased gradually if tolerated.

                It has also been found that obesity raises the occurrence of arthritis; hence weight loss is deemed as a major approach. Exercising not only contributes to weight loss but is a significant alternative with multi beneficial after effects such as pain and disability improvement.

                In addition, maintenance of a proper diet is considered as an easy approach to the treatment and prevention of arthritis. Fatty, acidic foods and sugar causes inflammation. Food selection should include foods high in vitamins, protein, and iron such as green leafy vegetables. Include as many herbs and vegetables in every diet or in salad meals. Fish oils are also known for its anti-inflammatory effect. Fish species rich in this type of oil include fresh tuna, salmon, trout, catfish, sardines and many more.  High intake of water also has its natural cleansing and healing effect and is a very economical natural remedy for arthritis.

                Freedom from the nuisance of arthritis can also be found in backyards. Herbal plants are full of good nutrition and are equally effective alternative treatments to add up in the process of healing arthritis. Simply boil a chopped mango bark to produce a decoction. Use the decoction and apply as a hot compress. Using peppermint leaves to make natural treatment tea to improve arthritis is possible by boiling at least four tablespoons of dried leaves in two cups of water for 15 minutes. Then, drink ½ cup of the tea every 4 hours. Feverfew extracts, ginger, pineapple, and white willow bark extracts are also some of the helpful herbal alternative treatments for arthritis which possess anti-inflammatory properties. Celery, on the other hand is known for its joint property by removing waste products and excess fluid in affected joints.

                With these simple and cost-effective yet helpful remedies, unnecessary hospitalization and squander of money is prevented. It is also but important to assess the efficacy of this simple arthritis treatment for each individual since a useful treatment for one may not be appropriate for another.