Nursing research in the Philippines is growing very slow.
While there are now 49 schools offering graduate (MAN, MSN, MN) and post-graduate (Ph.D and DNS) degrees in the country. The ability of this sector to sustain its little gains remains doubtful.
I am saying this remark because there is no such opportunities available in the country in the last ten years (between 1998 and 2007) in terms of nursing research conference, nursing research publications and nursing research society.
The natural inclination of our nurse researchers after obtaining their graduate or post graduate degrees has been to stand still and wait for opportunities to come.
I thought that our nursing education (and consequently, our nursing research) is the best in this part of the globe. However, the reality is simply opposite. Our research capability is already been lagging behind our neighbors such as Taiwan, Hongkong, Korea, Japan and even, Thailand. Evidence: browse the international peer-reviewed nursing journals.
Our latest international nursing conferences in the Philippines were dominated by Filipinos as plenary speakers, oral and poster presentors. So, practically we have not seen the best of the outside because each one of us is flaunting his or her work. In other words, outperforming one another at the expense of another Filipino nurse. Sad reality.
I have been a nurse for 15 years and had never attended a PNA National Convention because of negative statements and experiences shared by colleagues that such event was fraught with verbal tussles and overriding insults. I was told that this incident still happened during the last national convention. Instead of providing avenues to present "simple" research works, either orally and poster, the PNA bigwigs have kept on hurling invectives. This is really bad.
When will this scenario stops...
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Nursing Education in the Philippines
I was surprised to learn from Dr. Carmelita Divinagracia that the country has 674 schools offering BSN programs, 49 for masteral level (MAN, MSN, MN) and 3 for doctorate (University of the Philippines College of Nursing, St. Paul University Tuguegarao and Silliman University).
Indeed, this is pretty amazing statistics.
I am tempted to calculate that this industry now has a population of close to half a million nursing students; about 9,000 clinical instructors; more than 65,000 graduates per year.
In fact, I was also told that these figures may even go up if not for the intervention of ADPCN since locally-owned universities and colleges are planning to set up nursing schools.
Imagine the trend if this scenario will continue.
Will it be safe to say that our country is still producing globally competitive nurses judging from the past three NLEX results where even the prominent nursing schools have been performing poorly?
What kind of nursing education does our student get when the so-called clinical instructors have no sound background on clinical practice?
What are we to think of the open-admission policy of many nursing schools? Are they attracting the lousy individuals for the BSN programme?
What about the masteral programme now proliferating in various provinces offering non-thesis option? Is the MN title already enough to justify a professional competency?
Now that the US is temporarily closing its doors to Filipino nurses, where are our nurses going?
Indeed, this is pretty amazing statistics.
I am tempted to calculate that this industry now has a population of close to half a million nursing students; about 9,000 clinical instructors; more than 65,000 graduates per year.
In fact, I was also told that these figures may even go up if not for the intervention of ADPCN since locally-owned universities and colleges are planning to set up nursing schools.
Imagine the trend if this scenario will continue.
Will it be safe to say that our country is still producing globally competitive nurses judging from the past three NLEX results where even the prominent nursing schools have been performing poorly?
What kind of nursing education does our student get when the so-called clinical instructors have no sound background on clinical practice?
What are we to think of the open-admission policy of many nursing schools? Are they attracting the lousy individuals for the BSN programme?
What about the masteral programme now proliferating in various provinces offering non-thesis option? Is the MN title already enough to justify a professional competency?
Now that the US is temporarily closing its doors to Filipino nurses, where are our nurses going?
Positive Outcomes for 2009 in the Nursing Profession
If there are negative things to be expected in 2009 for the nursing profession, there are also positive things to look forward to.
I would like to view these positive things as opportunities for the nurses.
First on the list is the burgeoning nurse population needing continuing professional education (CPE) - While it is not a requirement imposed by the Board of Nursing, a nurse is responsible to update himself or herself with the new trends in the profession. Presently, there are a lot of industry players whose services are catered only to licensure reviews, NCLEX exams, CGFNS. So whoever will offer the best CPE services in nursing management and administration, infection control, maternal-child, are surely a big hit.
Those with MAN degrees can organize themselves into a for-profit organization and start offering their services to hospitals, and schools. They can, in fact, contract these traditional services.
Schools offering MAN and Ph.D programs in nursing may consider going to different places. Bring their products to where the population really needs it. For instance, Mindanao has no doctorate in nursing program, maybe an enterprising university will consider having a base in Davao City.
Nurses with no jobs may in fact explore possibilities of opening community-based spa and wellness centers. Areas such as Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Batangas are potential areas for this kind of business.
Some nurses who have a knack for writing may join the blogging world. I know of a few nurses who made monies from this venture.
I strongly believe that there really a lot of opportunities around.
I would like to view these positive things as opportunities for the nurses.
First on the list is the burgeoning nurse population needing continuing professional education (CPE) - While it is not a requirement imposed by the Board of Nursing, a nurse is responsible to update himself or herself with the new trends in the profession. Presently, there are a lot of industry players whose services are catered only to licensure reviews, NCLEX exams, CGFNS. So whoever will offer the best CPE services in nursing management and administration, infection control, maternal-child, are surely a big hit.
Those with MAN degrees can organize themselves into a for-profit organization and start offering their services to hospitals, and schools. They can, in fact, contract these traditional services.
Schools offering MAN and Ph.D programs in nursing may consider going to different places. Bring their products to where the population really needs it. For instance, Mindanao has no doctorate in nursing program, maybe an enterprising university will consider having a base in Davao City.
Nurses with no jobs may in fact explore possibilities of opening community-based spa and wellness centers. Areas such as Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Batangas are potential areas for this kind of business.
Some nurses who have a knack for writing may join the blogging world. I know of a few nurses who made monies from this venture.
I strongly believe that there really a lot of opportunities around.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Top 5 Likely Scenarios for Philippine Nursing in 2009
As the year 2008 literally ends in less than 10 days, expect several individuals from feng shui experts to shaman to futurists to just anybody who has the penchant to see the future will rattle off possible scenarios in the coming year. Most of them would just be safe to predict positive outlook.
My nursing colleagues from Manila just texted me about the likely scenarios that would happen in 2009. Knowing that I got special information from the best nursing people in the country, thus they asked something from me. Well, modesty aside, some of my affirmation before particularly in Philippine nursing did happen. Like, 8 out of 10 possibilities.
So what are in store for in the Philippine nursing profession.
1. Pay offs in the tenured teaching posts
Some prominent nursing schools have tenured positions for nurses are now grappling with the situation of separation and severance obligations. They have been hired and offered permanent jobs at the height of the nursing fever in the early 2000s.
2. More RNs are getting jobs in non-nursing but health-related jobs
Adding the bad case of almost 120,000 jobless RNs, the easiest jobs for them are working for spas, wellness centers, stand alone medical units across the country. A number of them would even go to hospitality industry like hotels, restaurants, among others.
3. Sharp reduction in the BSN enrollment
A number of practically-minded parents are now realizing that a nursing job is not a guarantee for fortune and may decide to have their children enroll in non-nursing course. I am seeing an across the industry reduction of 22% or more.
4. New employment opportunities abroad
Not in the United States or United Kingdom but in some Middle East countries are looking for Filipino nurses. Potential areas are Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Ten thousand nursing personnel are likely to be hired.
5. Some deans will be axed
As some school owners now find the extravagant pay for deans at Php 50,000 or more per month so impractical, I expect that they will go for a reorganization and fire the deans at will.
Sigma Theta Tau in the Philippines
This year 2008, the prestigious nursing organization in the world is making headway in the Philippines. Thanks in part to the collective efforts of Lourdes Salandanan, Dr. Rusty Francisco, Dr. Caster Palaganas and Prof. FJ Babate.
I remember it took us four years to get ourselves organized and we waited for Lourdes to become a president-elect of the Iota Sigma chapter (Azusa Pacific University).
So it was in the middle of this year when Lourdes finally arranged a meeting with some of the nursing leaders of the country and introduced the Society. There was an overwhelming interest from these leaders.
Also in October of this year, through the combined efforts of Dr. Palaganas and Prof. Babate, the hosting of 1st National Nursing Research Conference came into fruition. Of course, this was made possible by a modest financial grant from Iota Sigma chapter.
Hopefully, with the Sigma Theta Tau International giving the go signal to proceed with the establishment of a Philippine chapter, we can rightfully say that we are now part of the growing international nursing community called the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
I remember it took us four years to get ourselves organized and we waited for Lourdes to become a president-elect of the Iota Sigma chapter (Azusa Pacific University).
So it was in the middle of this year when Lourdes finally arranged a meeting with some of the nursing leaders of the country and introduced the Society. There was an overwhelming interest from these leaders.
Also in October of this year, through the combined efforts of Dr. Palaganas and Prof. Babate, the hosting of 1st National Nursing Research Conference came into fruition. Of course, this was made possible by a modest financial grant from Iota Sigma chapter.
Hopefully, with the Sigma Theta Tau International giving the go signal to proceed with the establishment of a Philippine chapter, we can rightfully say that we are now part of the growing international nursing community called the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Christmas Greetings from Nursing Leaders
The year 2008 is a grace filled year with new friends and colleagues that have been established from the nursing profession. I count on them as real persons. May God bless their professional efforts.
I abridged a number of their messages:
One of the many blessings for the year 2008 is the chance to meet you both along with the nice people from GenSan. Thanks for the great opportunity in knowing you more during the conference and may the true spirit of this holiday season be with you all. God bless and keep the spirit high in underpinning the true advocacy for Filipino nurses.
Dr. Rusty Francisco
CEO, NCCLEX
I abridged a number of their messages:
One of the many blessings for the year 2008 is the chance to meet you both along with the nice people from GenSan. Thanks for the great opportunity in knowing you more during the conference and may the true spirit of this holiday season be with you all. God bless and keep the spirit high in underpinning the true advocacy for Filipino nurses.
Dr. Rusty Francisco
CEO, NCCLEX
This is when we reflect on the gift of life that God has given us and how we should live thatgift here on earth so that we will bring HIM joy. This Christams I wish that all my friends will love their wives andchildren for they are th pillars we can cling to in moments of joy and pain.
Prof. Deogracia Valderrama, RN, MAN, MHA
Dean, School of Health Sciences, Mapua Institute of Technology
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