[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by kat15

I am just worried that because of these many negative, destructive posts of my fellow new Filipino nurses who are as anxious as I am right now, the once positive, hardworking and the best-in-the-world image of the Filipino nurse will be jeopardized. I realise that this is a website, everybody from all over the world can read it... then I'm afraid that we Filipino nurses will be stereotyped. Please don't. There are a lot of Filipino nursing students like me who are doing their best in their studies... please dont forget that we are not only concerned about the 'high salary' that awaits us there in the US, but, as we continue to study nursing, we realize how much we value our role in the society and how much passion we have for this profession.

Not to down play this but the reputation of the excellent nurses from your country was from before you were born. That best-in-the-world image has not existed for sometime. The training in your country is no longer the same as it once was when the BSN was actually a five year program as well.

I commend you for being hard-working but do not rely on the stereotypes of what you are expecting, they do not exist any longer. Nurses are judged on how well that they perform and the fact that the practice of nursing is different in your country from many others now, so it is hard to even judge a nurse until they are actually working in that role. Not all are going to meet standards anywhere, and that is a well known fact.

And the hard-working is not necessarily the case either. Things have changed considerably from that time, and I have worked with nurses from that time and there is a considerable change in the type of training.

Many of your hard-working nurses do not wish to work in your country, nor get experience there even when there is a five year wait for a chance at a visa. Passing the NCLEX exam no longer guarantees that one will ever get the coveted green card. And do not wish to even get a local license so that they can truly practice what they wanted to become and not use it just to go to the US. Nursing is nursing.

[pinoyNP]

Originally Posted by kat15

I am just worried that because of these many negative, destructive posts of my fellow new Filipino nurses who are as anxious as I am right now, the once positive, hardworking and the best-in-the-world image of the Filipino nurse will be jeopardized. I realise that this is a website, everybody from all over the world can read it... then I'm afraid that we Filipino nurses will be stereotyped. Please don't. There are a lot of Filipino nursing students like me who are doing their best in their studies... please dont forget that we are not only concerned about the 'high salary' that awaits us there in the US, but, as we continue to study nursing, we realize how much we value our role in the society and how much passion we have for this profession.

Personally, I think that the "best-in-the-world" image was conjured up by the Philippine government as a scapegoat for the many unemployed Filipino nurses who can't find jobs in the Philippines and must look overseas for employment. Unfortunately, this failed legacy continued on against a backdrop of substandard schools that crept up on us without any government oversight.

Being Filipino myself, I know how hard-working we are especially our overseas workers and this is largely motivated by our desire to escape poverty and misery. But let's get real. People are people no matter where they're from. Individuals should be judged on their own merit. Nursing is universal and the color or race of the person practicing the profession does not determine how good of a nurse that person will be.

Perhaps it will be better for Filipino nurses over there to quit posting messages containing schemes on the fastest way to get a nursing degree in the Philippines and how to beat the system by getting to the US even though there is retrogression currently in place. I think that will prevent non-Filipinos from forming unpleasant stereoptypes of us.

[suzanne4]

And then the most important question that truly needs to be asked of your government: If they think that they are producing the best nurses in the world, why in the world are they signing agreements with other countries to send the four year BSN trained RN to work as a care-giver or essentially a maid for someone in their home?

Sorry, but two and two do not make four here.

[clarklopez23]

The primary issue here is that why is there an oversupply of nurses in the Philippines. It's not about being the best nurse in the world or being a maid in another country. There is an oversupply of nurses because most Filipinos would want to escape poverty. And the only ticket that we know is taking up nursing to emigrate and leave Philippines. Before landing a job in the US or any other country, we have to pass several screening examinations (NCLEX, CGFNS, VISASCREEN, IELTS, TOEFL, TSE) not to mention series of interviews from prospective employers. We don't go on to your country by chance. It is because of our qualifications that we get hired. We get to have the job offer because we've passed the minimum requirement to get the job. We cannot force anyone to hire us. It is your government and your people who has the "say" on our immigration papers. It is "YOU" who will have to decide in the end. Our government would sign inter-governmental pacts to assist us in securing a stable and high earning job abroad. If we just have the means, we would not want to leave but we just have to because much would be relying on our remittances. The Filipino nurse, versatile and resilient would never enjoy being a second class citizen. Because for all we know there and there are still PEOPLE who will discriminate you in a foreign land. There will still be people who will QUESTION your integrity and qualification as a nurse. I think our government imbibe in us that belief that we are the ONE of the best nurses in the world because of our LONG TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AND CARE not only to our patients but to the people we leave behind. Filipino nurses are everywhere. Adjusting to a different culture is already a big factor.We endure living away from our country, from the people we love, from our relatives because we had a choice. And we don't blame others for making that choice.

[high hopes]

Originally Posted by clarklopez23

The primary issue here is that why is there an oversupply of nurses in the Philippines. It's not about being the best nurse in the world or being a maid in another country. There is an oversupply of nurses because most Filipinos would want to escape poverty. And the only ticket that we know is taking up nursing to emigrate and leave Philippines. Before landing a job in the US or any other country, we have to pass several screening examinations (NCLEX, CGFNS, VISASCREEN, IELTS, TOEFL, TSE) not to mention series of interviews from prospective employers. We don't go on to your country by chance. It is because of our qualifications that we get hired. We get to have the job offer because we've passed the minimum requirement to get the job. We cannot force anyone to hire us. It is your government and your people who has the "say" on our immigration papers. It is "YOU" who will have to decide in the end. Our government would sign inter-governmental pacts to assist us in securing a stable and high earning job abroad. If we just have the means, we would not want to leave but we just have to because much would be relying on our remittances. The Filipino nurse, versatile and resilient would never enjoy being a second class citizen. Because for all we know there and there are still PEOPLE who will discriminate you in a foreign land. There will still be people who will QUESTION your integrity and qualification as a nurse. I think our government imbibe in us that belief that we are the ONE of the best nurses in the world because of our LONG TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AND CARE not only to our patients but to the people we leave behind. Filipino nurses are everywhere. Adjusting to a different culture is already a big factor.We endure living away from our country, from the people we love, from our relatives because we had a choice. And we don't blame others for making that choice.

I partly agree with you but we should also take into consideration about what the others said. Our government is part of the blame. why? because they failed to regulate the nursing schools in our country. They failed to close down poorly performing schools and prevented small new schools from opening a nursing program. True, Others discriminate us. why?because of the things we do. It's true that SOME filipino nurses are good. They provide excellent care to patients but we can't ignore the fact that there are also SOME who are only there for money and don't even have enough TLC to care for the patient. As the saying goes: One bad apple spoils the whole bunch and that's what's happening right now. The fault/defect of one will jeopardized the whole even if you're good, you will be labeled with the bad. Do you get what I mean? and That's the sad part.

[clarklopez23]

Originally Posted by high hopes

I partly agree with you but we should also take into consideration about what the others said. Our government is part of the blame. why? because they failed to regulate the nursing schools in our country. They failed to close down poorly performing schools and prevented small new schools from opening a nursing program. True, Others discriminate us. why?because of the things we do. It's true that SOME filipino nurses are good. They provide excellent care to patients but we can't ignore the fact that there are also SOME who are only there for money and don't even have enough TLC to care for the patient. As the saying goes: One bad apple spoils the whole bunch and that's what's happening right now. The fault/defect of one will jeopardized the whole even if you're good, you will be labeled with the bad. Do you get what I mean? and That's the sad part.

The government is really to be blamed about school regulation. But you a nurse is responsible with you own action. If you really studied well and did your part during your education then you will reap you success. You will have no difficulty getting jobs or even passing required examinations. Those who did not take nursing seriously will suffer the consequences and be left rotten and jobless.
Thinking only for the money in nursing will never succeed. Even if you did well in your education. You will have problems with your patient, your co-workers, your employers and eventually will commit an error and loose your license. So who is to be blame? Blame yourself the most. IF you want to become a nurse so be it but it's up to you to take the risk.

[2b_usrn]

well if u, as an incoming college student and already aware of the over supply and still took nursing..dont blame yourself. just do it if u wana be a nurse, then go!

but if ur already an RN now and u cant find a job anywhere in the PI (which is impossible to happen) blame the gov't! they should be the one imposting nursing jobs,the fact that alot of sick people in the hospital are in need of nurses, where have all the over supply RNs gone???? duh?!

also, america is not just the only country where u can get a good nursing career! why push urself to them? infact alot of countries out there doesnt need lots of requirement just to be hired unlike in the u.s.

but for the record, i wana work in the u.s. because my sweetheart is there. hehe

[caringnursenj]

No one. People have their free will and make their own choices as responsible adults and no one can force you to do stuff that you really don’t want to do. Whether you took up Nursing because you wanted to go abroad, just broaden your knowledge, or simply because you were just bored, I believe that you are free to do that. I am a US RN but believe that although it is not the “responsibility” of first world countries to give Filipino Nurses a job, they still have the option to work abroad if they are determined to be qualified. It is now 2008, and “globalization” is no longer a new word to us all I believe. If RNs in these first-world countries are being threatened by qualified Nurses from third-world countries that is why some are so fuming mad because they feel that their jobs are being taken away from them, then I believe that this thing should promote hard-work, professionalism, and dedication even more on their part. It is not the fault of the Filipino RNs if they want to seek a better life for themselves and their families---it is just a basic need, it is human nature indeed. But don't you ever wonder why and isn’t it interesting that these first world countries actually have policies for migration that opens doors to qualified nurses from other countries?

[Alexk49]

No one is mad. As an American I believe Americans come first. Yes, we are a land of opportunity, but my father came in and worked hard to be an American. He embraced the culture and became a citizen. He was very civic minded.

Last time we had a nursing shortage, it was because working conditions were so bad no one wanted to work as a nurse. Fortunately nursing conditions improved. We have lots of second career nurses US ready willing and able to work.

I feel very bad that the Phillipine nurses are getting poor advice. I also feel it is unfair US has states allow the Phillipine nurses to take the NCLEX without issueing a license. One should have a SSN before taking the NCLEX, that would not raise the hopes of all the new Phillipine Graduates. All these states are gaining is the money you send them.

The world is a big place, I would focus on countries where there is a need.

When retrogression is over, remember there are many qualified nurses from Europe and India, so don't think graduating from the Phillipines means you will get first preference.

[milaeslehc]

Blame the greedy, sub-standard nursing schools and our rotten government. Because of what is happening around here in PI, we cannot blame our fellow nurses from other countries to comment such heart-stabbing words we read in this forum.

Just gone thru reading all the posts in one of the threads about Filipino nurses going to Canada as caregivers. Personally speaking, we should even thank them (members in this forum who give comments about nursing in PI) because they are frank enough to tell us the truth. Unlike our government in here who have done nothing at all and yet, keep on adding gold bars in their pockets, and not minding what would be the consequences of their actions in our health sector for producing low quality nursing schools and nursing graduates in PI. Imagine, 950,000 nursing students enrolled? Where the heck would you want to place these people? Let's put a hypothetical scenario.. Let us say 500,000 of those will pass the NLE. Then what's next? Get hospital experience? As what? Volunteer nurses? Take note: Volunteer experience is not even counted as part of your hospital experience.

As a Filipino nurse, I am still hoping that one day our nurses here in PI will make a great CHANGE.. Change in EVERYTHING.. Including our never-ending mass production of substandard nursing schools and our chaotic government. To all the members who commented our nursing here in PI, thank you for waking us up from a deep sleep of lies and promises of our government.

"I LOVE NURSING BECAUSE CARING OF MY PATIENT IS MY PASSION... I AM NOT IN A HURRY TO GO ABROAD ALTHOUGH ALL THINGS ARE ALREADY SET IN. FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN A HURRY TO FLY, TAKE IT EASY AND LIFT UP TO THE LORD THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. HE HAS AN ULTIMATE PURPOSE IN EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES.. INCLUDING THE RETROGRESSION." GOD BLESS US ALL.