Aspiring nurses urged to explore other fields

A former official of the University of the Philippines-Manila yesterday advised those eyeing nursing courses next school year to earn dollars have to step back and explore other possible careers.

“If they want to take up nursing because they think they have the aptitude and inclination to become a nurse, irrespective of going abroad, irrespective of earning dollars, then go. We need nurses like that. In other words – take nursing for the right reason,” Dr. Josefina Tuazon, former dean of UP-Manila College of Nursing, said during an interview.

Tuazon, now a member of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Technical Committee on Nursing Education, noted that one should go to nursing school not because he wants to work in other countries.

According to Tuazon, there are still limited employment opportunities in many healthcare facilities abroad primarily due to the financial crunch. 

The United States, she cited for instance, had slowed down in the processing of nurses’ visas due to retrogression.

“If you are using nursing as a stepping stone to go abroad, then don’t take up nursing because this is not the right time. Employments are not going to be readily available and more importantly, in this profession, we don’t need people doing that,” she explained.

The past decade had witnessed the mushrooming of nursing schools – mostly substandard – in the Philippines, thus, saturating the industry. It is estimated that there are now close to 300,000 registered nurses who are either unemployed or underemployed.

Tuazon pointed out that this development had “compromised the quality of nursing care” in the country.

“What made nursing different – the reason the reputation was good – prior to this trend? Before, only those who had the inclination took up nursing. But now, there are students who were even forced to take up nursing to help in the family. That is not exactly the right characteristic, the right attitude, the right mindset for nurses to give (the) nursing (profession) a good name abroad or anywhere else,” she maintained.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday called on licensed nurses, nursing graduates and other job seekers with healthcare backgrounds to “go out-of-the-box” and look for other healthcare-related job opportunities.

In a statement, Baldoz gave assurance that there is an “array of non-clinical, yet, medical-related job opportunities as alternate careers in the healthcare industry” for them.

“With the fast-growing and innovative trends and advancements in the healthcare industry, I encourage you to go out-of-the-box, beyond the traditional clinical jobs, and explore other emerging medical and health-related careers that are needed by our labor market today,” she said.

Citing a report of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), Baldoz claimed that the healthcare information outsourcing sector of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is now one of the “fast-growing sectors” that offer over 100,000 medical-related jobs to nursing graduates.

“With the growth trend in the healthcare information management outsourcing industry, healthcare careers now expand into various disciplines which open huge career opportunities for nursing graduates and allied medical professionals,” she explained.

 Nursing graduates can also consider working as clinical research associates who monitor and administer health and safety protocols and related study training to assigned work sites.

 “If they are into clinical review and decision making, they may consider a career as a Clinical Appeals Specialist who abstracts clinically relevant facts documented in the patient’s medical record, reviews clinical cases and responds to written medical appeals of patients and clients,” Baldoz added.
Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/aspiring-nurses-urged-explore-other-fields-160000685.html

When Sadness Takes It's Toll

     There comes a time when suddenly the things/events/people that make you happy could no longer spark a flame of joy in you. This day was one of those. But this day is one of a kind. This was the first time I woke up and instantly my brain tells me "You are not happy anymore". At that very moment I realized that indeed, I am no longer happy.

     I never thought that I would ever be in this situation because most of the times, I am responsible for convincing myself that I am sad by thinking of reasons and excuses that I am definitely sad. But early this morning was a different situation.It was like my brain also gave up on me, now convinced that I have the right to be sad. I guess I'm just tired. Tired of being alone, tired of waiting, tired of being patient, tired of thinking too much, tired of impressing  other people, tired of being on my own, tired of keeping things to myself, tired of crying myself at night, tired of convincing myself that I am happy. Simply put, tired of life. It becomes difficult for me to find happiness in simple things which used to make me smile. I guessed I've grown numb with all the things I've been through. What can I do, I believed and trusted too much. I envy those who have friends to turn on to in times of depression. They have someone to cry on to and share the pain with. They could go anywhere with friends and spend the time chatting and laughing, forgetting about the sad things brought by life.  I try to go on a walk to reflect on things but it still makes me sad knowing that walking alone with watery eyes makes me look stupid.

It took me an hour of crying and hushing myself before having the strength to write this note. But this is life, it has to go on. It has to.  I guess I cant go back to the old me, I could maybe, but it would take time. The pain, the sadness, the loneliness, they have taken their toll and pushed mo the point I never thought I would be in. Being numb..Being oblivious. Its hard for me as well, but its where my tired, weary emotions took me. I feel defeated, useless. I have the right to be numb, the right to do nothing, the right to not to think of how bad I hurt anyone. Give me this time, and I hope I could mend myself somewhere between those times. I cant be me anymore. I just can't.
The only genuine happiness I see is in the eyes and smile of my little cousins. Their smiles and laughter make me smile even just for a while. How I wish I was like them, young and care free, happy with small little things, do not think too much about the world, innocent and care-free.

"I feel that I should be in a place somewhere that would make me happy. But the sad part is, this is the reality. I am here putting myself together pretending to be strong just to get through this day."

Well Hello March!

     Two months have already passed by for the year 2012, but here I am still suck up in an unlikely situation. It's like nothing has changed since last year. But still, I thank God for giving me as job an article writer. The pay is not that good. I spend sleepless nights to write numerous articles, because if I do not, I would expect a lesser salary. As the old saying goes, "No work, no pay." 

     I have been always asking God to lead me to the right path, and I wonder if I'm currently doing what He wants me too. I've been asking Him for things that I really wish for such as being employed in the field of nursing.  Competition is really tough due to the fact that hundreds of thousands of unemployed nurses are also asking God for the same job I'm asking from Him. But, two days ago, I received a message from a reliable person that I am qualified for the nursing position I applied to. I have been waiting for days for that message to pop up on my phone but up to now, no good news yet. This leaves me waiting more anxiously with every passing day knowing that work should/ would have started this month of March. I'm still bothered whether I would be working as a nurse in the near future. On the other hand, lots of writing job opportunities with good salary proposals made their way through my Yahoo Inbox. But... I turned them all down with the idea that i would soon be working back at home this month. Now, I wonder if I turning them all down was a good move.

     Then, my second request, he granted it AGAIN! BUT... If in case I get the job, I might not be able to execute my second wish. But still I'm hoping for the very best... To be able to be a good nurse and a beauty queen as well. haha ;) (There goes the second request). SO up to now, I'm still hanging on the cliff of doubt, waiting for what the next days would offer me. 

      How I wish I was spending my time now and the next years sitting on a rocking chair, listening to great music, munching on chips, and chocolates while being mesmerized by the scenic beach and mountain view on my mansion's patio. Uhhh that feels great :)