purplecotton

I share your sentiments, janfrn..though we are just posting our observations (those of us who have studied and worked/are working here). Though the stories here have been scary and more on the negative side, it is not like this everywhere in the Philippines and one can still study and train well here. It is just a matter of knowing where to go (so please be careful and wise). Though it will not be up to par with US standards, one can still make the most of his or her time here learning. The difference (good vs. bad hospital) is as stark as using infusion pumps for critical meds. vs. not using them at all (!), using IV start kits vs. reusing needles if out of vein, carrying out patient care surveys before discharge vs. shouting at the patient for being noncompliant with orders/instructions, etc. Really, it is also up to the RN and what his or her motives are in becoming a nurse. It is obvious many of us want to live a better life and provide for our families but that reason alone will not compel a nurse to become a competent, caring, professional RN. The nurse has to want to be that for other reasons. For a service-oriented profession such as nursing where lives are literally in our hands, i also don't see how one can afford to be nonchalant about this issue. As a Filipino (kinda), i too would like to see my fellow Filipinos succeed and do well abroad. I admit it is shameful to have to relate to substandard nurses in countries where nurses almost DEMAND/EXPECT to be treated as professionals (rightly so but the nurse should meet the expectations of the job too). With that privilege there is also the responsibility and duty to perform. The person who chooses to be an RN here in the Philippines must just be careful in choosing schools, hospitals, programs, etc. and work to improve him or herself since we cannot change the system (too much dirt). We live in a "get rich quick" society where everyone wants instant results, shortcuts and the easy way to the gold. Ah, well...the temptation...

I'll just add a bit...about the CIs with no clinical experience..it is true. Sadly, many CIs WITH valuable experience are also leaving the country and so, who is left? Hmm.. unless schools and hospitals here have better, more attractive offers than what the US has to give, this deterioration in nursing ed. and sooner or later, RNs in hospitals will be affected as well. Also, students who are taking up nursing here shouldn't just see this opportunity as an easy ticket to leave the country because they have to come to terms with the reality that it is a whole new ball game when you get there (be it in the US) and you have to start working. And even here, once you start working, if you were a lazy student who just tried to get by with the minimum requirements, the hospital staff, docs., and patients will give you a difficult time and you won't stay in your job for long. It will only get you so far and you won't get away with the things you used to get away with when once a student. I have seen this happen to some people. You can't get away with bad habits here either unless you like go way "rural" or work in the province where nothing can stop you from doing "bad work".

Hi. When i was a nursing student (2005 grad.), we had good and not so good CIs (clinical instructors). Basically, we did assessments (typical v/s, inspect., ausc., palp., percussion...), IV regulation, certain procedures (basic ones such as IM, SC, skin tests, IVP for inj.; foley cath. and straight cath. insertions, CBG...under supervision, of course). Depending on where we were assigned (med/surg. ward, ER, OR, pedia., ICU, etc.) opportunities to do procedures and how often varied on the availability of pts., cases at the time, CIs, and nursing student's initiative to learn. That's why, in my opinion only, i feel that having some working experience here (choose your hospital wisely) is better than not having any at all simply because nothing beats working and learning when you are on your own. You are literally forced to learn when you are completely accountable for your actions- that is you have your license. Here, we just have to jump in and learn as we go along, on a case to case basis. In order for us to cope, we have to read as much as we can, not ever hesitate to ask questions esp. when in doubt, and watch how procedures are done by experienced (good) nurses. Since we don't have the resources for training as in the US, in most situations, the nurses have to "train" themselves. Since students here have limited skills and opportunities, when they become licensed, they should find work in a hospital that has a good training program (You can always ask what the orientation, clinical immersion consists of and for how long. Also, in that time you can see how good or not good the regular nurses are and that would give you an idea of what you'd eventually be, to an extent, as a result of their training.) Unfortunately, the RNs here are not "uniformly" trained. It really depends on the hospital and staff you work for. Some are really good in training and some are absolutely terrible. No way can one compare an RN with at least a years experience (or even half a year of experience) with a student nurse who just graduated, with no experience whatsoever. The learning curve is great once you start working, even here in the Philippines. You learn a lot once you start working and that is no joke. The stuff you do as a student here (in RLE exposure) is tiddliewinks compared to what a regular staff RN does on a daily basis. Yes, we do more "in-depth" assessments as working RNs. Some of the nurses do minor suturing as well. It all boils down to your choice of hospital, choosing to work and gain worthwhile experience after graduation, and initiative to learn (the right way of doing things).

What's new:rolleyes: ? No institution is perfect and you just have to find the right fit. Best you can do before applying is to do a thorough research on the place you desire to work and when it's time for the interview, ask questions. As long you are part of an organizational structure... hierarchy involved, and add more people to the mix, you will always encounter conflicts and politics about the same of the same. Still, even if you think you have found your "dream" job, there will always be a couple of imperfections. Best to raise your concerns to the appropriate people, departments (just don't expect miracles) and adjust your expectations. Good luck to you all and happy job hunting:)

Hi, stsinner. From your profile i see that you are all the way in Tacloban. That is pretty far from the hospitals that have been mentioned here on this thread. You have plans of moving to Manila? Where you will be staying (here in the future if that is what you want to do first) will help you narrow down your selection of hospitals. Assuming you have read the posts here, you can see the choices before you: private, with or w/o accreditation, government,... while some opt not to work here at all w/immediate plans of leaving for another country. What may be best for one may not be a good option for you so do some Googling on the internet and searching on this site so you can form your own plan. If you come out empty-handed for answers, you can always ask.

Yep. Maybe so in NY and states that have been exposed to Asians for quite a time...although SOME people with already existing, hidden prejudices may utilize this incident as a valid opportunity to act untowardly towards Asians. Changes may be very subtle...but then again, this only applies to people with narrow-minded views (Asians most certainly not excluded as we also fall into this trap of stereotyping people;)). Anyway, there will always be other issues attached to this crime (gun control, school safety, etc.) but those are OTHER ISSUES. Your observations and experiences there, jonRNMD, are reassuring though. The US government sure needs to get itself straightened out soon and hopefully nursing immigration will "POP up on their radars" so we can get moving (literally) .

Yes, but the US government DOES have to address this issue (so this takes precedence over the other issues) and so we may be affected indirectly. I just hope that people don't make generalizations about Asians (racial undertones in this event) and see this simply as an isolated incident. Afterall, the Columbine HS killers were white and not Asian. If they were Asian, then i think this would be a bigger problem. Only time will heal and tell.

*Chuckle* Yeah..that is based on experience. I was very idealistic once (when i first started out)...can't please everyone. Ah...the "diversity" in the workplace. Just prepare for the worst but hope for the best (and that applies to wherever you choose to work). Don't be antisocial or a supper "suck up" (the two extremes)! Goood luck.

Thanks a bunch tsheriff:) . That's more info. than i bargained for. I visit craigslist every now and then to check out 1bedroom apts. or even sharing rooms (is fine by me) and i was able to find some in the 890 to 1100 range (this is my budget for rent/mo.). Even if utilities are not included, i don't mind paying them myself as long as it doesn't exceed 1000 (for without utilities). I am not too saucy as long as it is safe to live in and accessible to other places. Availability of the spaces of course will change but so far it has been consistent in the no. available north of the Westwood area in LA (such as in Glendale or Burbank). I can't go too far (exceeding 50 mins.) from Moorpark as my "support system in case of emergencies" is around that area. My biggest concern really is how much time spent on traffic (of course gas would then be an issue too). But i will certainly look into Torrance, Carson, and Gardena upon your suggestion. Westwood area is not my only option though and it would be nice to know how long it would take to travel (experiences) from La Crescenta to Duarte... Thanks, again;)

Hello, Suzanne4. I am still in the Philippines, as are many others, waiting out the retrogression and getting general ideas as to how to make our transition to the US less confusing. I am trying to get a grasp of the long-term implications of staying there (hence, car travel)..considering probable places to stay and work. Nothing concrete yet really... just possibilities. Input such as tsheriff's has been sufficient and just getting people's experiences travelling in and around those places is a big help.:)

Okay. Whoa..that does seem bad. So, what would be a good suggestion for those working in and around the Westwood area (how close to work should you be.. living without compromising much on safety and comfort with a starting salary of $29/hr)? ...this is for the Westwood vicinity. Thanks, by the way. Anyone else familiar with the others?

Hello. For anyone familiar with the driving conditions in the fol. places: How's car travel from Northridge to Westwood and its neighboring areas in LA? Just how bad is the traffic (time spent on the road on good and bad days)? Or from Burbank or Glendale to Duarte? How much time would be spent on the road going from Moorpark to La Crescenta? Thanks!

Clarification on my part: Asian Hospital an affiliate of Bumrungrad Int'l=>working towards accreditation. They are now under long-term management of the facility. Back to the issue of choosing private or government hospital, everyone pretty much has given you their pros and cons for each so ultimately, it's up to you. Just don't dwell too much on it and do what suits you...

Usually, the major tertiary hospitals in the Philippines have their own websites so you can always Google them if you are curious and want to know more...

Asian Hospital and Medical Center is accredited by JCAHO. Everyone just talks about St. Lukes but if anyone is living around the Muntinlupa area (even Paranaque and Las Pinas, you can get there shortly), you can try AHMC. If i do recall, you just need to submit your resume and cover letter then they will call you if they are interested. You then will be interviewed before which you will undergo their basic competency training program. This consists of orientation and the didactic (lecutures, skills lab with demo, computerized test) and clinical immersion (160 hours) where you will be assigned to a floor and preceptor. Within this time, you should submit all your pre employment requirements. But if you already passed the NCLEX-RN, chances are they won't consider you because they train you in order to keep you (working for them). If you are a fresh graduate and don't intend to leave just yet, you can give them a try.