[suzanne4]

Why don't those of you that are not working as an RN now create your own job? Why can't you set up teaching venues for patient education on some of the smaller islands, or even a clinit to provide care on the provinces that do not have any medical or nursing care available while you are waiting?

You get to keep your skills up to date as well as help others and that is what you went to school for. There is so much that you can do with your license, you just need to be willing to take a chance and go for it.

And you may even like it? Back in the olden days as some of you may call it, nurses that trained in your coutnry actually were required to put in six months in outlying areas providing care, this is something that you could start up again now. And then maybe your government will start to fix things if you take an initiative to help others first.

Correct?

[yoo jin]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

Why don't those of you that are not working as an RN now create your own job? Why can't you set up teaching venues for patient education on some of the smaller islands, or even a clinit to provide care on the provinces that do not have any medical or nursing care available while you are waiting?

You get to keep your skills up to date as well as help others and that is what you went to school for. There is so much that you can do with your license, you just need to be willing to take a chance and go for it.

And you may even like it? Back in the olden days as some of you may call it, nurses that trained in your coutnry actually were required to put in six months in outlying areas providing care, this is something that you could start up again now. And then maybe your government will start to fix things if you take an initiative to help others first.

Correct?

With the condition our country 's economy is facing right now, I don't think that will be a feasible option at present or even for the years to come.

Price hikes, for one, greatly affects family income. Setting up teaching venues or organizing a sort of community health center coming from our own pockets is impossible . Im pretty sure the recently passed RNs made their way through college by their parents selling of their own farmland or "carabao" which of course a symbol of their livelihood resources, whatever that maybe, clinging to a certain hope that their sons or daughters would eventually bring back thosea lost resource, and if not more, is expected from them.

However, turning to the government for funding or for some other kind of support is a lot more impossible. Taking a good look at our present government health facilities, which barely caters to the needs of the people, would give us a pretty good picture why this option is never going to work out.

Bad news indeed, but this is a reality we all need to face.

[suzanne4]

Again, you are looking at things from the top and not starting at the bottom with figuring out things.

How much does it cost for you to print up some pamphlets and hold something in an existing community center? A few pesos, and that is it.

Did you not do a community outreach part of your nursing program? It can be done with no money at all, but it does take time.

And as far as a clinic, there are so many provinces that would be greatful for you to be there that they would provide a room for you. But people need to take the initiative.

Most of you are having problems finding jobs, so make something work for you and this way you improve your chances of getting out of your country as well as helping others.

But without making any attempt and believing that you are doomed to fail, one never accomplishes anything.

[yoo jin]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

Again, you are looking at things from the top and not starting at the bottom with figuring out things.

How much does it cost for you to print up some pamphlets and hold something in an existing community center? A few pesos, and that is it.

Did you not do a community outreach part of your nursing program? It can be done with no money at all, but it does take time.

And as far as a clinic, there are so many provinces that would be greatful for you to be there that they would provide a room for you. But people need to take the initiative.

Most of you are having problems finding jobs, so make something work for you and this way you improve your chances of getting out of your country as well as helping others.

But without making any attempt and believing that you are doomed to fail, one never accomplishes anything.

I figured that others are having a hard time understanding the real deal, especially If one doesn't actually experience it.

Gone are the days when people chose nursing as a career because of the "fulfilling vocation" or to "care for people".(I am not generalizing to all nurses of the new batch in the Philippines).

The main reason why there is an oversupply of nurses is because of the hope of greener pastures. I'm not saying parents are to be blamed for sending their kids to nursing schools, or new nurses choosing BSN as their course, because this is the obvious step to take. At least, based on the demand statistics that were presented around three to four years ago. At present, with retrogression in place, things have changed. I referred to retrogression because working in US is a popular Filipino RN career plan.

Citing the impossibility of starting up a community health programs in towns is not looking at the problem from the top, it is a simple reality check. As I have said previously, families practically gave up their means of resources clinging in hope that their sons and daughters would eventually bring back what was provided for for their education, and for the basic needs of their family as well. Funding for these outreach program, I think, is a lightweight compared to providing food on the table.

While tying up with community centres sounds like a doable idea for the middle class and well to do nurses (which makes up a relatively few percent of the new nurses), for the rest, well, that's a different story. No monetary compensation= no food on the table as well.

I keep referring to the nurses coming from the lower class, because they make up the large percent of the batch. They don't even have the means of checking the actual scenario on the net, or, of course on this website, where much of this is talked about. If they did, they wont even be thinking of enroling at a nursing school., which brings me to my first point, there won't be an oversupply of nurses. Relying on the false information the media, recruiters, and the government is channeling to the public, is the only news that they hear, and unfortunately, believe in. Therefore the nurse mill won't stop anytime soon. (Though I salute the PNA for presenting the reality of the situation just last week, I hope nurses are all ears when they aired it on TV.)

Being a successful nurse really takes a lot of time, but not all can wait for that. Food comes first. Basic needs come first. Opting for a paying job is a reflex. May it be at a call center, or wherever there's a job vacancy. It doesnt matter it they wont even practice nursing ever again. It is a survival issue for them after all.

This post is not turning to a different issue from the topic "What are your plans as an RN", this is to simply voice out the lower class' caught in the middle situation, and how plans of providing healthcare in the community won't work out for them at all.

If to ask them, what are their plans as an RN? There are no plans. Just one inevitable path to take for them to survive.

[sally22]

Thanks suzanne4,

this is to the point and it is refreshing to know some people are doing something for the community when all seems hopeless.

A number of nurses are involved in community activities, normally through the church, and it would be nice to see more community activities.

Perhaps the others out there can suggest possibilities for simple medications, bandages and other simple essentials that can make a difference. And yes perhaps we can start a community education program run by nurses with time and waiting for overseas placements or work opportunities. This may be possible if we consider promoting it throught he Universities and colleges.

This could also be a way for recent graduates to gain some experience, although not hospital, in treating the poorer members of the commnity.

Sometimes it is as simple as just talking to them to educate on alternatives and family.

I was reading the Australian Govt takes an approach with the nurses in their country and the Aboriginals are given nursing based on a family structure and education as well as medication and treatment.

Wouldn't it be extraordinarily nice if we could somehow get a program similar to this off and running here in the Philippines

[2BANURZSXPENSIV]

I thought after Graduation, it would be easier because finally I can call myself a nurse already, then I realized I not yet complete I need a regulating body to really authorize me to work as a nurse, then i took the BOARD EXAM then I passed... Wow, I can now apply jobs abroad, then I saw the requirements needed.... At least 2 years experience???

I made application letters, resumes and prepared all my requirements to apply for a job.. then suddenly it struck me... I am not alone... theres a lot of us there every end of semester we are multiplying...The growing number of applications and resume being passed but yield no fortunate results. Then Now... Im frustrated Im unemployed, how will I gain that experience,???? Yes I have a job at the moment but that job is not related to nursing, and my money is not enough for a growing 2 year old daughter I have with me. It's realy hard. I guess with my quest of being a nurse this is the hardest part.. getting ajob...There's alot of competition. I cant afford to go on an experience for free? I have to at least be paid for my service. I have a daughter.

So now, I have to accept that fact and wait for a blessing to come, and that opportunity that I will be able to gain a paid experience somehow. ..

My greatest dream...

Well to be A NURSEABROAD.. Ive always wanted to live abroad. Not because of money, though that is also interesting, but its a dream come true for a child like me, many years ago. Until now...

But its a painful reality because TO BE A NURSE IS EXPENSIVE...

Well, here's my plan....

I WILL BE ANURSE IN AUSTRALIA.
Maybe Queensland or Victoria
I will have to continue to apply online even with no experience at all.
Then I will wait until I will gain experience..
After 1 1/2 years of experience I will take my IELTS exam.
I prefer to review on my own. To review is expensive. No money for that. I will make my documents be certified by CHED. Then apply for registration in Australia.... Gotta have to money to do that.. ITs 145 AUSD and I have to ask for sponors to help me with that. So help me GOD. Then I will pursue career as a nurse here in the Philippines as I am waiting for the result of the assessment. Then If I passed thr assessment ,... I will enroll for bridging course in australia. Hopefully I pass. Then get my husband, look for a job for him, my daughter have her in a school there. Then work hard to pay back all my debts. Then work hard and THANK GOD for a DREAM come true... This is just a short paragraph but it's along way to go, like a person walking with eyes closed.

[leader]

I"m a second courser and passed the NLE last June 2007. The results came out August 26, 2007 and I decided then that while waiting for the results why not try to apply in hospitals, so I submitted resume to 3 hospitals and they asked the same requirement - license. I even asked them if they could accommodate me as a trainee or volunteer while waiting for my license, but they declined. I ended up working in a call center but not for long, as soon as my license was issued, I also resigned because I want to stay focus with my plans. I immediately tooked and passed IELTS and now I'm preparing for my NCLEX on october. And after that I will apply to the agency that was referred to me. Then while waiting for my document to be processed, I will apply in a tertiary hospital to earn experience and confidence. I know that many of my friends are giving up with the indefinite status of issuance of visa for aspiring nurses to be employed in the USA. In my opinion, why lose hope, I've given up my career (high pay) for nursing then after earning a license, now there's over supply . But come to think of it don't stop at the middle of the bridge I will be able to cross this, just have to do everything I can first. Stay focus, and stick with the plan. And hope by then there will be some favorable changes.

[leader]

I strongly agree!

[caycay]

"I WILL BE ANURSE IN AUSTRALIA.
Maybe Queensland or Victoria
I will have to continue to apply online even with no experience at all.
Then I will wait until I will gain experience..
After 1 1/2 years of experience I will take my IELTS exam.
I prefer to review on my own. To review is expensive. No money for that. I will make my documents be certified by CHED. Then apply for registration in Australia.... Gotta have to money to do that.. ITs 145 AUSD and I have to ask for sponors to help me with that. So help me GOD. Then I will pursue career as a nurse here in the Philippines as I am waiting for the result of the assessment. Then If I passed thr assessment ,... I will enroll for bridging course in australia. Hopefully I pass. Then get my husband, look for a job for him, my daughter have her in a school there. Then work hard to pay back all my debts. Then work hard and THANK GOD for a DREAM come true... This is just a short paragraph but it's along way to go, like a person walking with eyes closed."


Congratulations!!! I know you will be able to make it. You have the goal and the positive attitude. For my fellow Filipino nurses, I think the best thing you can do is take the IELTS and achieve the band score of 7. NCLEX or CGFNS? I dont think that will be the priority. With passing the IELTS, you could apply to different countries like Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada, Ireland. USA is not the only place you can live a good life. Lets face it, the economy here in America is not as good as the other 1st world countries right now. Its not an American Dream anymore!!! One thing is the retrogression. You can't do anything about it even if you pass NCLEX or CGFNS. And let us not be deceive whenever we see pictures of Filipino nurses abroad having expensive cars or big houses. These are all mortgages and loans!!! We have to work, work, and work. My friend and I had a chat one time and reminisced our good times back home in the Phils. We have a very simple life. After work, we just go to the mall, watch movie, eat together, stroll at the park. Eventhough we dont have enough money, we dont worry paying anything,. Seriously, I miss it.... I miss my family too.

[sally22]

Just to let everyone know community centers in the Provinces are being used exaclty for this and with all that we still have 100's of 1000's of nurses without work.

But remember this is not just common to nurses it is common to all professions. An unbelievable percentage of the population is unemployed. The big question is what does the population do to change this. Take lower pay?? Accept their position?? Work for nothing?? Look for opportunities overseas where there is a shortage of labor??

It is easy to comment and suggest to give hope but it must be for the purpose of betterment of the families position and enable the person to FEED the family. Free labor, even though altruistic, does not feed families and the money spent can devastate families.