Suspension of Hospital Duty Among Nursing Students During Disasters

[heaven23]

I am a new nursing student here in the Philippines and I am quite confused with the policies and guidelines on the suspension of hospital duty among nursing students in times of typhoon, and other environmental disasters, because whenever our school declares suspension of classes in all levels, including the tertiary levels, nursing students are still asked to go on with their scheduled hospital duty.

Are there any memorandum issued by the Commission on Higher Education or the Philippine Board of Nursing or any nursing organizations stating that nursing students are excluded from suspension of classes during typhoons and other calamities?

I am raising this because my parents are just concerned with my safety especially when I am traveling from the hospital to my apartment.

Please help...

[wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN]

I think for colleges, if the typhoon is Signal#3, colleges are suspended...therefore no duty. But I'd rather be safe, get my CI's and classmates' cell phone numbers, or your college dean's number, and when in doubt, start texting/calling. Sometimes, even when it's Signal#2, it may not be raining but winds are really bad, so it's dangerous to go out. Better to be on the safe side...the weather can be tricky!

[heaven23]

Thanks wishiwereanurse. I am still in dilemma because even if we're goin' to ask our Dean, the dean would usually say duty as usual regardless if the typhoon signal is number #3. Do you of any memorandum coming from CHED or from the NDCC or from the Philippine BON stating that student nurses are excluded from class suspension in times of typhoons or other disasters?

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

That is a big difference between US and Philippine nursing programs, and students are not counted as staff and students do not have to come in during a declared weather disaster.

[wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN]

I think CHED announces suspension of classes as early as before the 11pm nightly news.. for duty I am not sure because you are required to complete your clinical hours, so if you miss duty that's like considered as an absence at work and you would need to pay (again) for the make-up duty hours that you've missed.

It's really vague, like with us, my school once told us that if we are regular staff nurses, bad weather won't be an excuse to not do your duty..so we just called our CI and let her know that we'd be coming in late..Thank goodness she's understanding. Some CIs, when we hear on the news that it's Signal#3, we start texting, and they'd be like, "yeah let's not go, the weather is really bad" and make us do remedial work (case studies, articles, ect).

Sometimes CHED is so stupid, they'd just decide to call off classes when you're already on campus..its arrggghhh!!!

[wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN]

just to keep you on the safe side, when it's stormy, stay away from places with lots of power lines or trees, they might get knocked down by the wind..and also stay away from open fields 'cuz lightning might just hit you. The second you feel an earthquake, if you can get out of the building...get out! But don't panic. otherwise look for someplace to duck in..

[gemini_star, BSN, RN]

There was an instance when my school announced that there is no hospital duty since it was suspended due to the strong signal of the storm. But the hospital facility insisted us to come due to lack of staff. We didn't as I was aware that the school policy will not be responsible of the students. I told the nursing supervisor through text that we will not go on duty because of the weather conditions. The next day, she made a big deal out of it and lectured regarding being a nurse on call any time. Yes, it's true that nurses should be flexible but we are still student nurses. Will they cover us on whatever happens along the way going to the hospital amidst the bad weather? I doubt that.

[lenjoy03, RN]

Mostly, CHED announces the suspension of classes. Suspension of classes means suspension of clinical duties. The school usually orients students regarding suspension of classes. Sometimes the Dean announces suspension of classes. Like for example, I used to study in Makati, and if there's an attack like the peninsula whatever... due to the threat in life, classes should be suspended. But this is not applicable to RN I tell you.. But there are consideration of course...

Hope this helps...

[pinkroyalty18, LPN, LVN]

There was an instance when my school announced that there is no hospital duty since it was suspended due to the strong signal of the storm. But the hospital facility insisted us to come due to lack of staff. .

It is no longer the responsibility of the student nurses to fill in the places of staff nurses if they are lacking... She should have hired more staff and not just rely on student nurses to fill in those slots.