A Dad's Perspective; My Filipino Nursing Students!

pharm_studentnurse · Jun 13, 2007

Hello Mr. Hoss... I read ur post, and I can say that I can relate to ur sharing, one way or another...

I'm a second courser, currently on my 4th and final year in nursing... and I can say, that so far, the hurdles that I took wasn't easy... having classes from Mon-Sun, and even going on straight night shifts really was challenging...

ryt now, I'm having lectures mon-tues, WTHF im on duty, and sat-sun, were having our general review...

I think that all of these shall come to pass... and that there's a rainbow at the end of the road...

thanks for ur insights...

nrswnabee · Jun 13, 2007

I posted this originally in the "Introduction" section but felt it appropriate to post here in the Philippines Forum as well!
After reading your wonderful forum, I have decided to join as I have a very special interest in the future of Nursing...a current family of 4 student Nurses; My 4O sumpthin wife, my 22yr old step daughter, 18yr old son and 23 yr old son-in-law. All are 2nd year BSN candidates at the Univ. of the Cordilleras here in Baguio City, Philippines.
I am now retired (63) and and chose the Philippines to seek an affordable life on fixed retirement income and to raise my step children and grandson in hopes they will find their paths to respectful and humble lives. My wife started out as my "caregiver" as I was in cardiac rehab as a result of two mighty M.I's over an 18 month period that ended my working life abruptly at the tender age of 58. Her Filipino approach to nursing old Grumpy Hoss back to a stable and manageable condition gave me an insight to how these wonderful people are so natural in the Nursing environment. In addition, with the 2 of us both divorced 20 years or so, it became a natural migration from patient to loving husband in less than 2 years. Her "package" included 2 incredibly bright and caring children that offered me the opportunity I never had as an adult male, to be a FATHER!! My children have taught me to recognize the beauty of giving unconditionally the love and support a human being craves. I unabashedly hug my kids, TALK to my kids and my wonderful wife, and DREAM their dreams along with them on a daily basis.
I am also a combat veteran (Sergeant of Marines, Vietnam) and with the VA locating a Outpatient Clinic in Manila, I am able to manage my health and obtain the meds I require without a lot of roadblocks from being in a foreign country. In addition, I am superbly impressed with the skill level of the primary Cardiologist I see routinely, and the level of medical equipment and services that are available here in Manila and Cebu such as Cardiac Cath Labs (Digital), MRI, CT and Laser type medical equipment.
However, the one most striking thing that I have observed is the rigorous training that Nurses undergo to get their BSN degrees here. The first year my family undertook classroom hours that lasted from 8 am to 6pm EVERY DAY ...including Saturday and Sunday!! This year it is a repeat of last year, with 5 am rise and shine to get to class for 7am starts, and finish at 6pm Monday through Saturday. At least Sunday is a free day now. Their course of study in the sciences is almost brutal...from Algebra (OH HOW MY WIFE HATED THAT LOL!!) to Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, ENGLISH!!...with very competent professors and a demanding pace of examinations and quizes on a weekly basis.
Why would a mother and caregiver plunge back into a world of academic pursuit in a very difficult discipline in her 4th decade of life? BECAUSE SHE TRULY LOVES NURSING!! Her influence on the children is astounding to see as she sets a pace of B's in Anatomy and Nat. Science, English, History, etc...(Algebra was a C+ and the HARDEST thing she has done in 20 years!)
The two oldest kids are deans list students, with the youngest hot on their heels! Their hard work and study habits amaze me as I see them up at 3am to hit the books for the early morning classes and exams. I never, I'm ashamed to admit, studied any where near as hard as my wonderful students have. (Now, I'll NEVER admit THAT to them !! )
So my task is to continue to support, encourage and seek opportunities for them to be world wide contributors to the health of their fellow man. Discussions are now ongoing about possible moves to Seattle in a few years as they are starting to formulate their futures in pursuit of Masters degrees and Military Nurse Corps (most likely US Navy) upon getting their citizenship. But I have coached them in their dreams to think of the WORLD as an opportunity as they are Filipinos, one of the most respected and loved care giver cultures on this planet!
Thank you for the warm welcome, and I will check this great forum on a daily basis to learn of your experiences, listen to your advise and ask for your prayers on behalf of my family of Student Nurses!!
God Bless all!
Old Hoss in Baguio City

hello, mr. hoss. i'm deeply touched by your story. i'm feeling your sincerity jump right off your post. anyhow, i think you're not giving credit to yourself for how your wife and children are doing now. i believe they wouldn't have as much motivation to work hard without your love and acceptance. more power to your "nursing" family!!!

thanks for sharing.

Hoss · Jun 14, 2007

I am honored by your kind remarks, but let me insist that credit must be given where due; and that credit MUST go to the woman who raised 2 children on her own for 17 years after being abandon by a wandering husband! This woman carried a young boy and walked her young daughter through the ash clouds of Mt. Pinatubo in a 2 day march to safety with little food and water to sustain them. This same woman worked in factories in Taiwan and sent all of her money back home to feed, clothe, educate and nurture her children. That woman chose care giving as her life long career and now she is learning the science, after practicing the art of caring for sick people. That woman is my wife!

I came along much later in the picture, AFTER that incredible woman raised these kids through the tough years. I am now enjoying the fruits of her labor and get to see them as mature young adults, emulating their own mother in their pursuit of the Art and the Science of a nursing education.

There is NOTHING so exhilarating as to have all 4 rush home at night and start in immediately about their learning experience of the day! Their successes, failures and questions about their classroom efforts have me sitting on the couch with my mouth open in awe at the enthusiasm, the frustration and DETERMINATION to be the best students in their class!!

Am I LUCKY or What?

daniemom · Jun 14, 2007

I found your story highly inspiring Mr. Hoss... I also come from a family of health practioners--some successful in the field while others deviated from it. My dad is also a Retired Marine and we are fully enjoying the fruits of his labor :) My sister and I are on Chapter 35 benefits while my brother stopped and enlisted in the army last year, but he pursued Nursing prior to that.I graduated BS Physical Therapy, but unfortunately, US boards have stopped the release of licensure exam so I decided to take up a nursing as a second course.

I also have a family now, with a baby girl. And I know that someday my husband will be as proud of me as you are of your wife. I know the rigors of studying, especially after stopping for some time. And family support helps a lot. My dad has supported me this far and promises to continue supporting me in the future, so you kinda remind me of him. He also has dreams of me entering the service and he's leaning on the air force. I hope I can make it.

I just want to say that I am in awe of you and your family. And you should take credit for your support because I'm sure you serve as an inspiration for them. Your wife is a remarkable person and she and your children will achieve the success they deserve and worked so hard for. Kudos!