PNAA/PNA International Conference, January 7-9, 2009

The forthcoming PNAA/PNA International Conference will be held on January 7-9, 2009 at Cebu City.

The main organizers of this event will be the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Philippine Nurses Association, Association of Deans of the Philippine Colleges of Nursing, UP College of Nursing, St. Paul University.

ICN Quadrennial in Durban, South Africa

The nursing leaders across the globe will meet this month in Durban, South Africa. So this is something to be look forward among nurses near the conference site because the last time it was held near the Philippines was about four years ago in Taiwan.

Our national association will represented by Dr. Teresita I. Barcelo who is our current national president.

It is evident that they will discuss important global issues besetting various countries today such as the A(H1N1) influenza, nursing migration, global recession, AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, among others.

However, I would like to look at the positive side of this gathering as something of intensifying the professional collaboration among nurses. I and my wife are currently connected to the ICN networks (I for the ICN Telehealth/Nursing Network and ICN Rural and Remote Nursing Network, and she for the ICN Nursing Education Network) where their formal launching will happen as pre-conference events. Of course, the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society fo Nursing is also convening a number of satellite meetings.

We wish them well.

Dr. Ciabal in Gensan

This lady holds considerable record in the field of nursing education. Formerly affiliated with the College of Nursing, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila as its long-time dean, Dean Evelyn Ciabal has turned the College of Nursing, University of Makati as one of the country's prominent nursing schools in less than a decade.

The school's record attests to that achievement. In the last four national nursing examinations, several of her students landed in the top 20 and the general passing average of the school is at least 93%.

Last year, she led in the opening of an innovative distance learning mode for an MA Nursing program and hopefully, she will start opening a doctorate in nursing program next year.

Dean Ciabal is licensed to practice as a nurse and midwife. She has an MA in Nursing and Ed.D both from the Pamantansan ng Lungsod ng Manila. She authors a book on nursing ethics.

A New Ph.D in Nursing Program from St. Paul University

St. Paul University - Manila is now the 4th higher educational institution in the ocuntry that is offering a doctorate in nursing. The other schools are UP College of Nursing, Silliman University and St. Paul University - Tuguegarao.

What is so special in SPU Manila's program is its emphasis on nursing education. Its prolific faculty members include Dr. Annabelle Borromeo (PhD Nursing from Texas Women's University), Dr. Letty Kuan, Dr. Roberto Borromeo, among others.

Another special treat is its flexibility to deliver the program anywhere in the country if there are 15 enrolled participants as well as its distance learning mode. Instead of planning to enroll in Cebu, one can have it one closest location. It can also admit MN degree holders (meaning those without a master's thesis) to this program.

So this is, in fact, a good choice for now.

Interested parties may get in touch with Dr. Aldrin Darilag, SPU Manila Graduate School Director by visiting its website http://www.spumanila.edu.ph/

Call for Faculty Thoughts on the Nursing Problems and Challenges

Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society is working on a response to nursing problems and challenges in the Philippines and would like to interview faculty who are currently addressing these topics in their courses. We'd like to hear your thoughts on how nursing education can address these current events and help to guard against a recurrence of similar problems.

To share your point of view, please contact FJ Babate at secretariat@mail.betanudelta.com

Core Competencies of Filipino Nurses

The role our nurses play in the success of one's treatment, and in the entire healing process, can never be underestimated.

With my recent appointment as a board director of RO Diagan Cooperative Hospital, I took the initiative to improve the nursing service. We we recognize that the main part of the responsibility to create and maintain a safe and healing environment for patients falls on the nursing service personnel. Thus, we endeavor to improve them to be clinically proficient.

Using the core competencies of Filipino nurses that embed the 12 areas of competence, we gradually put these competencies in place:

Safe and quality nursing
Management of environment and resources
Health and education
Legal responsibility
Ethico-moral responsibility
Personal and professional development
Quality improvement
Research
Records management
Communication
Collaboration and teamwork
customer service

Our nursing services strategy is meant to develop these 12 core competencies. These competencies also serve as the:

practical tool for evaluation performance of nurses
basis for advanced practice and specialization
means to protect the public from incompetent practitioners
yardstick for unethical and unprofessional practice

The Metro Pacific Group's Entry to the Health Care Industry

Now that Metro Pacific Investments Corporation of Manny V. Pangilinan had jumped into the healthcare industry through a Share Purchase Agreements with several shareholders of Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario) Inc. (“DDH”) representing approximately 34% of the issued share capital of the corporation, industry observers welcomed this new entrant with hope and enthusiasm.

Just recently, the same Pangilinan group has taken over Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Personally, this is good for the nursing profession in general. We will soon see a big improvement in corporate hospital practices within the chain of MPIC hospitals which according to my grapevine would go for 5000 bed capacity hospital network.

Things like JCAHO and Magnet would soon be the things to be expected from these hospitals. So this would be to the advantage of the nurses. Positive environments will become the norm.

Watch out for MPIC string of acquisitions of hospitals in Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Lipa, among others.

Philippine's Top Hospitals Should Strive to Have A Magnet Designation

Why did a number of big US hospitals need Magnet recognition?

The answer is clear: These hospitals recognize that positive patient outcomes are a result of team effort, and Magnet is a way to recognize and maintain those efforts. Magnet honors the strong nursing and interdisciplinary team practice and each individual’s commitment to quality patient care.

What is Magnet?

The Magnet Recognition Program is administered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It was established in 1990 and provides a method of recognizing hospitals that create and maintain a professional practice environment that ensures quality patient outcomes.

Magnet is the highest national or international recognition for excellence in the delivery of nursing services that are provided in a professional practice environment, promote quality and evidence-based practice, and result in positive patient outcomes.

Characteristics of Magnet Hospitals

Research has identified the following characteristics that are present in Magnet organizations:

Nursing

Flatter organizational structure
Higher nurse-to-patient ratios
Collaborative relationships with physicians
Broad-based participation in decision-making related to clinical care
Limited use of agency personnel
Nursing research which enhances clinical practice
Flexible patient care delivery systems
Higher percentage of B.S.N.-prepared nurses
Influential nurse executives
Investments in education and expertise of nurses
Decreased turnover rates for registered nurses
Nurses perceive that they have adequate support services

Patient Outcomes

Shorter patient length of stay
Lower utilization of ICU days
Lower mortality rates for Medicare patients
Increased patient satisfaction


14 Forces of Magnetism

Quality of Nursing Leadership: Knowledgeable, strong nurse leaders willing to take risks, a strong sense of advocacy and support on behalf of nursing.
Organizational Structure: Nursing departments are decentralized, with unit-based decision-making and strong nurse representation in committees throughout the organization. The nursing leader serves at the executive level of the organization.
Management Style: Managers involve staff at all levels of the organization. The nurse leaders communicate with staff. Feedback is encouraged and valued.
Personnel Policies and Programs: Salaries and benefits are competitive. Creative and flexible staffing, with staff involvement. Opportunities for promotion, both in clinical and administrative areas.
Professional Models of Care: Nurses have responsibility, accountability and authority in the provision of patient care. Nurses are accountable for their own practice and are coordinators of patient care.
Quality of Care: Nurses believe that they are giving high-quality care to their patients and that their organization sees high-quality care as a priority.
Quality Improvement: Staff nurses participate in the quality improvement process—see it as educational—and believe that it helps improve patient care within the organization.
Consultation and Resources: Knowledgeable experts, particularly advanced practice nurses, are available and utilized. Peer support is available and utilized.
Autonomy: Nurses are allowed and expected to work autonomously, consistent with professional standards, as members of the multidisciplinary team.
Community and Hospital: Hospitals maintain a strong community presence that includes a variety of long-term outreach programs.
Nurses as Teachers: Nurses are permitted and expected to incorporate teaching in all aspects of practice. Nurses feel teaching gives a great deal of professional satisfaction.
Image of Nursing: Nurses are seen as essential to the hospital’s delivery of patient care by nursing and other members of the health care team.
Interdisciplinary Relationships: Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, therapists and other members of the health care disciplines treat each other with mutual respect and have positive relationships.
Professional Development: Organizations emphasize orientation, inservice education, continuing education, formal education and career development. Personal and professional growth and development are values.

Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in Asia

The University of Makati (UMAK) is contemplating of offering the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) Program. This will surely be Asia's first if it will be offered on 2010.

However, let us take a look at the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP or DrNP as the title is affixed). This is an advanced-level practice degree that focuses on the clinical aspects of nursing rather than academic research.

The curriculum for the DNP degree generally includes advanced practice, leadership, and application of clinical research related to nursing. This DNP is intended primarily to prepare registered nurses (RN) to become advance practice nurses. Advanced practice roles in nursing include the nurse practitioner (NP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse midwife (CNM), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

If you notice, many other professions require entry-level professional doctorates for practice. These include the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).

According the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), transitioning advance nursing practice programs from the graduate level to the doctoral level is a "...response to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs, additional knowledge or content areas have been identified by practicing nurses. Thus, the DNP is a good choice for UMAK.

With a dynamic leadership at UMAK under Dr. Evelyn Ciabal and her team of young educators, UMAK will certainly etch a name in the nursing arena not just in the Philippines but in Asia as well.

A Nurse's Position on Random Drug Testing at DEPED Schools

This month saw DEPED Secretary Jesli Lapus announcing that the random drug testing of high-school students will start between February and March this year.

At the same time, Lapus branded as unfounded fears that students tested for drug use would be the subject of ridicule, as well as the possibility that the process may lead to corrupt practices.

“Our intention is not to humiliate the students. We are very strict about confidentiality,” Lapus said.

Thanks goodness that confidentiality is assured however, there is more to this issue.

Of course, some issues of particular concern to the nurses and nursing profession considering implementing suspicionless and/or random drug testing are:

1. Who determines the need for testing?
2. How will chain of custody be enforced to allow for use in any legal actions that may arise?
   
3. Who does the testing?
4. How and where will the specimen be obtained and made available for testing? (Will the DEPED school nurse be involved?)
5. Who will provide training for staff performing the testing to assure that all legal requirements have been met? (What will be the role of the DEPED school nurse?)
6. Who obtains parental permission to release the results of the testing to the DEPED school district?
7. Where will permission be filed? (Will it be in the health file?)
8. Where will testing results be filed and who may see the results of the screening? (Will these be in the health file or in another location in or out of the building?)
9. What services will the school system provide or not provide in the event of a positive test?
10. What does drug testing tell or not tell about a student’s drug use?
11. What do national laws say about issues surrounding drug testing of minors?
12. What services should be in place for communities to deal effectively with students who test positive for drugs?

This is a complex issue going beyond simply performing suspicionless routine and random drug testing in schools.

May this article offers a widened understanding to the issue on random drug testing.

Prof. Faustino Jerome Babate

President

Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society Inc.

Email fjbabate@mail.betanudelta.com

Mobile 639265856435

More Nursing Related Events for 2009

Last year 2008 had some remarkable events for the nurses in the Philippines.

In early January 2008, the PNA-ADPCN-UPCN mounted an international nursing conference at Manila Hotel.

In September, UPCN and University of Hawaii at Manoa had a joint project called the 1st Asia Pacific Conference on Nursing Research.

The following month saw Mindanao hosting its 1st BIMP International Nursing Conference in Davao.

Finally last November, the 1st National Nursing Research Conference was held in General Santos City.

For 2009, ADPCN will have its 50th year celebration and Dr. Divinagracia promises it as a big celeb this October.

Hopefully, the Philippine Nursing Research Society Inc. will have a side-by-side international/national conference on nursing research on November in Cagayan de Oro City.

Of course, the PNA will have its national convention at the famed Boracay Island which will be hosted by PNA Region VI. The venue is a major attraction and nurses would absolutely put this event in their schedule.