How About Us?

cyberfanatic · Sep 29, 2008

Hey! I was just wondering if the provincial hospitals can be an alternative to volunteering.

actually, before I volunteered, i worked as a casual public health nurse in a rural health unit in our municipality (in a far far away province =D) so I think griffon, the answer to your "wonder" is yes. Definitely, however, get into your mind that provincial and district hospitals are under the government. And you know the system in the government, either you sell your entire clan's name to the politician if it is worth something, or get someone working inside it to get you into it. But mind you, entering these hospitals are really really matters of politics.

Ok, comparing the experience you'll be getting in a hospital, those that can be obtained from the community setting are less complicated. Most of the time, the patients are children with fever, or those with scheduled vaccinations, or those bitten by dogs, with high fever, asthma attack, and sometimes, just merely requesting a blood pressure check. The compensation is, well, "insignificant" (actually, I never got my pay for 4 months, due to some delays until now @_@) but at least you're getting some experience that can get credited should you try to apply in hospitals.

and to caringnursej, I actually said in my post that volunteering in the hospitals should be stopped and not to be advocated anymore...well, these might open up opportunities to get hired if, only if, my colleagues will see its long term effect and abandon their posts as volunteers. Because, I am 1000% certain, the employees will absolutely not going to endure all those pressures ALONE and the employers will then, hire more nurses in rescue!

Now, as suzanne has pointed out, well, expressing out disappointments and disapproval of the system won't make the situation a bit better in any sense. However, I also understand that what she suggests as doing something or creating things, organizing health related programs, or doing some charity care in the community with regards to health care without getting paid, even though fulfilling, won't help a starving stomach either (considering that most took up nursing for a stable job). Those in your stickies really apply to either those who belong to a developed country (US, UK, Japan, CANADA, etc.), or simply to those who don't need that much money anymore or who has a lot of money at all.

Just to give people some idea on how it is to belong in a country as poor as the Philippines, the parents of unfortunate children (those who belong to the average IQ level who can't get into scholarship programs) will do ALL means possible for their eldest child to finish college in belief that the child will help them entirely in lifting the entire family from poverty. By all means, that includes selling or pawn the house, the lot, everything that has money value, selling the carabao, the farm, everything. If it isn't enough, they will get a loan with an interest that grows as fast as a mold, and things like that. So, after finishing college, passing the board and everything, the family is left with literally nothing...as in nothing, with a negative sign even cause of the loan....just to find out that there is nothing to be done cause there is no job!

now, if you're family is dying of hunger, being legally summoned for unpaid debts, getting lots of pressure from financial crisis (yes, BLAME the oil price hike!) would you, still, at all means possible, be amenable for that charitable work? well.........i guess, some won't just understand.

and That is the problem...I don't know what else to do aside from, well, venting out.

P.S. don't get too emotionally attached, I am not the abovementioned individual (fortunately) or else, I won't even afford to pay my internet bills @_@! :chuckle

lien17m · Oct 2, 2008

I totally agree.. some hospitals I know... , abused their volunteers...for tons of workload .... rather than helping them out to excercise and hone their competence as an RN ..Treating them like a helping aid...but on the other hand, we become more willing victims due to the lack of demand and increase supply of nurses in this country.... we take it ....hoping we get absorb as a regular... just to take is an experience for the latter job we wish for.... Im sorry to ask....What are our Nursing Associations(Nursing learders here) doing with this present state were suffering...? (im also asking myself this..) How can we move to stop This abuse....or control atleast the over supply of nurses here.... i remmember a friend once told me..." nobody's up there... is doing anything ..do know most of the leaders..we have are now benefiting from nursing schools,hospital-school affliation programs or Review Centers they run,," i hope thats not totally true!!!!! ......

cyberfanatic · Oct 3, 2008

to all whose really into going abroad, why not try applying for Canada as LPN. I am currently processing my application there. For more information about it, just read other threads in the international forum or better yet, search google for the official website of the college of LPN of the territory you're planning to apply to (example, College of Licensed Practical Nurse in British Columbia or CLPNBC).

As to all whose wondering about what an LPN is:

The LPN and RN scope of practice in most acute care facilities is very similar. Both grades of nurses admit/discharge, assess, do wound care, medication administration, IV starts, care and meds. The main difference is the spiking of the TPN and blood bags. Currently care of central lines and their dressings are within the RN scope but I've heard by year's end it will be within the LPN scope of practice.
LPNs work in all areas of the hospital except NICU.
There is nothing wrong or shameful in being an LPN. It is just a different nursing education, a more hands on method of training. Many LPNs have degrees in other fields or have been RNs in their country of origin and their education is not recognized in Canada and they simply can't afford to go back to university for up to four years to meet Canadian standards.
Don't look down on a level on nurses that you have no experience or understanding of.

Canada is very open for us with arms wide open. But this opportunity won't last a lifetime.

Ranting and telling misfortunes over the past practices won't do us any good at all. If there's no job in the country, it is for us to find out something else as Suzanne suggested. The world is just too big for it not to have something for all of us. Life is just too short to rot in our own houses.

Better try than doing nothing at all.

and remember, Stay happy you all! :)

dhel28 · Oct 4, 2008

hi alex, i'll just respond here inline with your comments
i hope i don't come off arguementative. i just hope to bring a few couterpoints, not because yours are not valid or wrong. it is likely impossible, to describe how impossible it is for many highly educated, resourceful people to do everything right (work hard, go to school, be law abiding, etc) and yet get nothing in return for it. low/ no pay jobs, descrimination for not being someone's nephew, dark skin color, etc, chosing food over health for your family, etc.
i am not a filipino, but i see what they go through, day after day.
i am all for making opportunities for yourself, and that is going to be the only way that your average "juan de la cruz" will ever get ahead (or to "even") without help from an aunty in new york, white tinted skin, being over 5'8", a politician or landowner.

i'm just wondering , you said your not filipino, did you live or currently living in the philippines? it just seems that you know "more" than the average juan dela cruz? just a liitle bit cynical and over generalizing. i understand that your just venting, but pls. be conscientious and avoid phrases and generaliztion, like "most of filipino does not pay taxes" etc. just a suggestion, also not being argumentative.

gianphilippines, LPN, LVN · Oct 4, 2008

geez, i can relate to all of you and i agree, that is indeed what is happening in our beloved Philippines, i even have 7 active licenses now, local license, new mexico license, iv license by the ANSAP, certified renal nurse, Red Cross BCLS and AED and even American Heart Association BCLS license but it's still hard for me to find a job and every time I send resume to hospitals, I don't indicated that I'm an NCLEX and CGFNS passer because they will surely ignore you... i dont know when can i get a hospital experience...

woknblues · Oct 4, 2008

I'm just wondering , you said your not Filipino, did you live or currently living in the Philippines? It just seems that you know "more" than the average Juan Dela Cruz? Just a liitle bit cynical and over generalizing. I understand that your just venting, but pls. be conscientious and avoid phrases and generaliztion, like "most of filipino does not pay taxes" etc. Just a suggestion, also not being argumentative.

First, I wouldn't get caught up in figuring out national origins, residence or qualifications from anyone posting anything on the internet. We are all PhDs, millionairres and rock stars.

Please state where I am being cynical against Filipinos. And as far as generalizations, it is commonly known that far fewer people are employed officially (not a fault on their part as I have stated, but simple economic conditions and are either self employed, or otherwise), therefore they do not pay taxes. Why should I avoid saying the truth about taxation? Please don't read my statements to imply that I favor or "respect" tax paying Filipinos any more than others. When the government allows hospitals to pay their "volunteers" nothing, or very little, they are not taxed (or under taxed as they are underpaid) through the BIR. When the governement favors "entitled Filipinos" from wealthy and prominent families and business people over the masses in terms of opportunity and employment, I do not side with the tax paying light skinned bourgois from Makati, but the jeepney driver putting his children into the best schools he can afford, "gambling" everything he has to give them a mathematical chance at a life, better than his.

I suspect you may not have got the "gist" of my post, and may have interpreted it in the wrong way. Here is a suggestion for you. Get used to people speaking frankly about things that are not right. That is a sign of progress, something needed desperately in the Philippines.

Hoping that you get my point. Actually, I am not really venting. It's not happening to me, I am just seeing it, and writing it for others to see, who may not have a perspective on the matter. I made some counterpoints to someone who was under the impression that all Filipinos need to do is "work a bit harder and smarter" (extreme paraphrasing on my part here). My point was that in spite of their best and noble efforts, they have not been allowed to become sucessful due to the many obstacles carried over from corruption, antiquated thinking, inferiority complexes, and simple prejudices. Also, that there was a lot more to the matter than finding "opportunities" in the health marketplace of the Philippines.

Respect and regards.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

I think it is important to know was background you are writing from. Are you a nurse? A student nurse? You state you are not Phillipine,if that is so how can you speak for them?

For example, a student nurse in the USA views nursing very differently than a seasoned nurse.

A tourist views a country very differently then a citizen living in the country.

You have mentioned that companies do not use occupational heath nurses, since the only hire young and healthy people. Even young and healthy people are not immune to communicable diseases or miiss work days to alcohol or drug use. Every employee can be injured at work.

Other thing I am having a hard concept understanding. If the Phillpines is a third world country how can the nurses be educated to current 21st century nursing standards? Even if the learning lab had 21st equipment nursing student need real world experience.

Daly City RN · Oct 4, 2008

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have extensive experience here in the U.S. as an RN who have done scientific and thorough nursing audits. Reading the posts here gives me the chills, how could Philippine-based nurses have 30-50 patients? I bet you, if I will do the same audits that we do here, the majority of the Philippine hospitals will not pass the safety audits that we do here in the U.S.A.

This should serve as a warning to many potential overseas Filipinos who are planning to retire in the Philiipines. They should consider the health care delivery system in the Philippines when they plan their retirement. I have written this warning before in this forum, and I am doing this again today.

I don't blamme the front line nurses for this. They are the ones who work hard day in and day out to give the best care they could give to their Filipino patients.

The blame should be directed to the Philippine government officials and hospital administrators who allow this very unsafe practices to exist and to continue unabated. They are responsible for the very dangerous conditions that are allowed to be practiced in the entire Philippine health care system. Human lives are being endangered. Something must be done.

I am calling on the responsible nursing leaders in the Philippines to stand up, organize and tell the Filipino people of what must be done to correct this dangerous conditions in Philippine hospitals.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

dhel28 · Oct 4, 2008

First, I wouldn't get caught up in figuring out national origins, residence or qualifications from anyone posting anything on the internet. We are all PhDs, millionairres and rock stars.
Please state where I am being cynical against Filipinos. And as far as generalizations, it is commonly known that far fewer people are employed officially (not a fault on their part as I have stated, but simple economic conditions and are either self employed, or otherwise), therefore they do not pay taxes. Why should I avoid saying the truth about taxation? Please don't read my statements to imply that I favor or "respect" tax paying Filipinos any more than others. When the government allows hospitals to pay their "volunteers" nothing, or very little, they are not taxed (or under taxed as they are underpaid) through the BIR. When the governement favors "entitled Filipinos" from wealthy and prominent families and business people over the masses in terms of opportunity and employment, I do not side with the tax paying light skinned bourgois from Makati, but the jeepney driver putting his children into the best schools he can afford, "gambling" everything he has to give them a mathematical chance at a life, better than his.
I suspect you may not have got the "gist" of my post, and may have interpreted it in the wrong way. Here is a suggestion for you. Get used to people speaking frankly about things that are not right. That is a sign of progress, something needed desperately in the Philippines.
Hoping that you get my point. Actually, I am not really venting. It's not happening to me, I am just seeing it, and writing it for others to see, who may not have a perspective on the matter. I made some counterpoints to someone who was under the impression that all Filipinos need to do is "work a bit harder and smarter" (extreme paraphrasing on my part here). My point was that in spite of their best and noble efforts, they have not been allowed to become sucessful due to the many obstacles carried over from corruption, antiquated thinking, inferiority complexes, and simple prejudices. Also, that there was a lot more to the matter than finding "opportunities" in the health marketplace of the Philippines.
Respect and regards.

No need for rebuttal, you have highlighted and have supported my point.

But I trully respect your opinion, I may not agree with it, but I respect it.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 5, 2008

My comment is for Dale City RN, I see the paid nurses in the system are overwhelmed.

Does the fact they have volunteer nurses and student nurses lessen the nurse:patient ratio?

With hundreds of thousand nursing students, why can't they be used to help? I hear the student to patio ratio is up to ten students to one patient.

swsh10 · Nov 28, 2008

Understand the frustration. I graduated from nursing school in 1989 (from the Phil); it took me 2 yrs 6 mos from that time to pass the PI boards, pass the CGFNS and get a US working visa and leave for the US. This was around the time when the first Persian Gulf war was ongoing. It seemed like forever back then. Tried to work as an unpaid grad nurse at the hosp where I graduated from, but found the menial tasks that my so called preceptor had me do did not contribute much to my supposed "training". After 3 mos I called it quits and decided to go to grad school and started my MA in nursing @ UST. It kept me busy while waiting for the CG results and kept me focused on my goal. My heart goes out to all those who want this so bad and have worked so hard for it (got an idea what it entails). Try to find something to do meanwhile that may be related to nursing; work in being the best in whatever you decide to do; be safe, educate yourself ; and pray, pray, pray - if the Lord decides it's for you, He will make it happen. Good Luck.

spongebob6286, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

when they are much supplies of RNs applying for volunteer, hospitals will take advantage of it. why would they hire & pay when they can accept tons of applications for volunteers & its for free. worst if RN would have to pay for it.