It's all about the money

This is a shout out to nurses who up to now do not see that many of us in the profession are becoming easy prey for those sharks wanting to take advantage of the many ambitions we have and of our ultimate aspiration of finding greener pastures in another country. These sharks, yes, they are quite plenty out there, have only one pursuit that is draining us and our significant others, our hard earned monies! From the very beginning that we have decided to enroll in nursing schools up to graduation, up until the preparations for the local board exam and not to forget the varried examinations one has to pass to go abroad, we see a lot of institutions and entity offering a lot of packages, gimmicks, and promises that come with a hefty cost. Most often than not, we easily fall for these things. Then we become registered nurses with a believe that our qualifications can land us a job only realizing that our expectations have fallen short. Hospitals adopt a policy that every new nurse recruit must do volunteer job for a specified period of time. Volunteer... meaning not even a single centavo is given to the nurse for the rendered service. After the volunteer period the new recruit passes scrutiny by the management of the hospital and if they don't find the nurse apt they can just easily let him/her go with just a certification of training given to him/her that server as a some sort of pay for the voluntary services. These hospital saves a big chunk in the cost of wages for employees as they can avail of free nursing services by the neophyte nurses. Where's the dignity in nursing profession then? Rendering voluntary services is not the sole injutice in the nursing profession, there are the many trainings and workshops the nurse has to undergo, as the nursing profession is ever evolving. These advancement of course comes with a fee. The new nurse who has just did volunteer work avails of these opportunities with much exictement again believing that such opportunities are investments. Bottom line: No matter how qualified and competent the nurse become, he/she only end up doing volunteer job in hospitals.

That thing called LOVE...

Who can define what really love is? Is it just a mere emotion? Or is it a thought process? This is one difficult term to define. I always remember how this topic on love was discussed in our philosophy class. The term phenomenology is always attached to it. Yes, accordingly love is a phenomenon. It is an occurence which follows certain pattern. Yet like the chicken-chick preceedence argument, the phenomenology of love also has unfatomable issues. It is said that love came to exist with out a beginning nor can it come to an end. There is a complexity in the parties that are involved in the pheomenon. There is the lover on one side and the beloved on the other. The lover initiates the phenomenon when he expresses verbally and willfuly his love to the beloved. The beloved or the recepient acknowledges the expression or act done by the lover. This phase is said to be the onset of love yet it cannot be considered as the beginning of love since love itself is already present or felt either by the lover or the beloved long before the said initiation. Now, as I have presented the parties early on, we can probably destinguish the kinesthetic roles of both the parties in the phenomenon. We can say that the lover assumes the active role in the phenomenon as he initiates the process while the beloved has the passive role since he acknowledges the act by the lover and carries on with the phenomenon. But this puzzles me most, once this "initial stage" has already taken its course, there seems to be an interchange in the roles and parties of the phenomenon. The lover now becomes the beloved as the beloved reciprocates the act done by the lover to him causing the effect of transforming the lover into the beloved. Talking about complexities...Love is one difficult experience to comprehend. The contextual presentation of love as a phenomenon I believe is considerably inapt to provide a clear picture of what love really is. Then the discussion continues on by giving emphasis on the importance of the lover loving the beloved. Between the two parties, it is said that the lover has the greatest role compared to the beloved. It is partialy true since the lover takes on the active role in the phenomenon. He is the initiator. The beloved is given less importance since he only get to recieve what is given him implicitly saying that whithout the insinuation of the lover the phenomenon may not come to be... But I wonder how come loving can not come to cease when in fact it's a phenomenon, a process so to speak. The initial phase was already identified, I guess that a culmination phase is supposed to exist at some point. They say that the lover must continue on loving the beloved even it hurts. This is the instrinsic nature of the lover, that he loves even it hurts and is supposed to love more till it numbs the pain away...Then again I am refuting all of these assumptions. All along this time, this contextual presentation is bias in favor of the beloved. It seems to present the ideology that the lover plays the most significant role yet his is the most sacrificial. The beloved has the passive less signifant role yet his is most beneficial. Using the rule of logic, man can only comprehend to a certain extent...It is normal for him to cry foul when he is in pain. After all man is a rational being, he is endowed with the gift of judgment. It is up to him to use it. Blessed are they who are patient, kind and forgiving to their erring beloved for a monument shall be built in their honor! MABUHAY ANG MGA MARTYR!

Exodus

Mom and a couple of her cousins would be leaving the beloved PHILIPPINES very soon. All for the promise of a more powerful purchasing capacity with the monies that they will be earning soon. This is the best consolation I guess they have in their minds considering the many trade offs they are willing to give up. Not withstanding the fact that my mom and folks are already at the prime of their life, they have accapted the offer to live and work in a not so foreign country. Mom and the folks will soon become Japayukis! No, they won't be entertainers. Instead they will work in factories and fill in the scarce resource of labor. My mom is already a veteran public school teacher. She already produced professionals of many sorts. Yet, she can not deny that her noble vocation does not commensurate the many sacrifices she's making. Mom is about to retire in a few more years. She has been teaching for more than half of her life and yet economy wise, her productive years in government service did not provide for more than what was just basic. Mom's and the folk's leaving are not a welcome development for us their loved ones. All our lives, this is the first instance that we will be separated from our mom. It's not that we can not be without her, it's just not the same anymore without her around. She will be away for quite a time. This is the inconvenience every family faces having a member who is an overseas worker. The absenteeism creates many a void in the relationship. If only the government can provide more than what is basic to it's employees and the citizens as well, who would want to sacrifice the ordeal of getting estranged to a family just to be able to provide for them by working in a foriegn land? Economic conveniences can provide a lot of good but it can also result to a lot of drawbacks...But still, going abroad is being patriotic....If you are given the opportunity to leave the country, would you?

She...

It was a gloomy Monday morning. The sky was all gray. Drops of rain pour down from the sky as if sympathizing over the loss of one matriarch. There were people arround, taking cover from the rain, chanting prayers of some sort. We just reached the place from a not so distant origin. Still lacking from sleep, we brushed aside this need and tried to find for our selves seats under the made roofing and amongst people chanting. Then we saw familiar faces. Gestures were made to acknowledge our presence. They too were absorbed with the chanting. After the prayers and chanting the stone-cold matriarch is now ready to be brought to the chappel for the funeral mass and rites. She was the lead in her march. People behind her was a picture of grief and exhaustion.From a hill there was the chappel. She was a very meek structure. She patiently awaits her guest, wanting also to pay her final respect to the matriarch. The procession haulted as the matriarch entered the hallowed ground first and was allowed to position on the isle infront of the altar. The people from behind took their seats on the pews and patiently waited for the priest to arrive and minister over the rites. Then the rain pour heavily as if again signifying grief and anguish. Drenched in rain, finally the priest arrived. He quickly changed to his ministerial garment and went on to preside over the rites. Once again, prayers, songs and chantings were heard coupled with weepings and wailings. It must have been too painful to say goodbye to the matriarch. The end of the rituals is already coming to its near yet the rain never ceased. I was deep in my thoughts on how are we suppose to bring the matriarch to her final resting place with this condition. Coming from the pews, a familiar face came upfront with the request made by the priest to allow her to speak her concerns regarding the passing away of the matriarch. She was addressing the folks of the momeries she has had with the matriarch and she relayed one instance where she and the matriarch had a candid conversation. She continued on saying that she was a young girl then with an ever so curious mind. She proceeded asking the matriarch "WHAT IS A MOTHER?" A very difficult question indeed. Yet, the matriarch instantaneously responded, " I AM YOUR MOTHER WHILE YOU STILL NEED ME FOR YOUR BASIC NECESSITIES. I CEASE TO BE YOUR MOTHER WHEN YOU GROW AND BECOME LEARNETH, INSTEAD I BECOME YOUR MENTOR. I NOW GUIDE AND TEACH YOU ABOUT LIFE AND IT'S REALITIES. THEN I BECOME YOUR BESTFRIEND WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY ALL GROWN UP. I NO LONGER AM A MENTOR BECAUSE YOU ALREADY HAD YOUR FORMATIVE YEARS. I AM NOW YOUR BESTFRIEND BECAUSE I WANT TO CARRY ON THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE TRIED TO LIVE UP ALL MY LIFE WITH YOU.ALL OF THESE BECAUSE I LOVE YOU." Then out of no where I have felt something in my heart. As I look around I saw people in tears, some are even holding it in, but still moved by what we just have heard...The matriarch after the ceremonies was laid to her final resting place amidst heavy pouring. People had gone to the extent of allowing themselves to get drenched in the rain and get cold...The matriarch is not at all from a well off family. She was a mother and a plain home maker. Her husband is a simple famer who toils the land just to support his and the matriarchs offsprings, 13 all in all...Life can summon the most difficult of trials but these are always surmountable...not because of our individual strategies nor that of anybody elses' but for the innapparent yet contstant LOVE given to us from the persons whom we call our MOTHER.

A nagging pain in the ASS!

Have you ever experienced straining so much just to release the burdens from your behind? Drops of sweat come out on your temple as you endure this gruesome challenge. How much you would have wanted this to pass so quickly. How much less bearable the pain can become. How much you have regreted not succumbing the advise given you just to prevent CONSTIPATION. As you rest your butt on the most consoling seat of the house, you continue on wishing, praying, and even hoping that the next experience would not come close to what you just had...Finally, with forceful push you have eliminated what needs to be discarded. Oh! but the pain still lingers...You get out from the area exhausted and consumed...Some people can really be like hard rock, impacted feces that comes out from our behind. They cause us alot of miseries and pain, yet you can not forego and even avoid these people. Much as like defecation, no matter the difficulty and the pain, their existence is inavoidable. No matter all the interventions that you have applied, no amount of fluids and fiber can soften their consistency. Every so often you feel the pain as you see them. They remind you of the harsh realities of life.You end up straining, pushing, even bleeding ... Every time you push down the lever of the water tank, how much you wish these people too end up in the sewer of grime and filth! a worthy place for shitty people!

Moro moro act?

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Reality Check for Nurses wannabes...

Here's an article concerning the status of Registered Nurses in the beloved PHILIPPINES. I got it from the Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/nursingmatters/view.php?db=1&article=20080729-151442). This is to substantiate my article- Nursing services for free, anyone?

Oversupply or shortage of nurses? DOLE wants to know

July 29, 2008 19:42:00

Margaux Ortiz

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are set to meet with hospital owners to find out if there is an oversupply or shortage of nursing graduates in the country.

DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque said that while there have been reports of oversupply of nurses, hospital owners have been complaining about the lack of applicants for nursing jobs. Nurses could be more interested in getting overseas jobs due to much higher pay.

“We will be holding dialogues with hospital administrators to find out about these supposed vacancies,” Roque said in a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.

He said the government agency would likewise be conducting an inventory of nursing graduates. “Last year, the hospital owners had voiced out their complaints about the lack of nurses in the Philippines,” Roque said.

“The demand for nurses abroad is actually increasing,” Roque said, adding that Canada and Southern Australia have been coordinating with the DOLE to hire nursing graduates to work for them.

He added that Libya and Saudi Arabia have likewise been actively hiring Filipino nurses. “The situation is not that bad,” Roque said.

University of the Philippines College of Nursing Dean Dr. Josefina Tuazon and Philippine Nurses Association National President Leah Paquiz earlier disclosed the oversupply of nurses.

Tuazon said that because of the numerous nursing graduates this year, the country's 67,728 hospitals had to get volunteer nurses to accommodate the fresh graduates.

She pointed out that the high number of graduates of Practical Nursing, a two-year course that focuses on the basics of nursing, aggravated the unemployment problem.

In a statement to the media, Paquiz said: “There is no local demand or positions for practical nurses within the Philippine Health Care Delivery system particularly in the light of the oversupply of nurses and subsequent unemployment of fresh nursing graduates.”

The lucky ones!

Today I had gone through my quest again of pursuing a real job. The university I am from held a mid year alumni home coming with a job fair as one of its highlights. I have prepared my self for the said affair days prior. I have listed out the possible jobs that I think I have more chances of being hired. I end up preparing 4 sets of resume and cover letter. My hopes were on high. This time around I shoved aside my desire to practice my profession as a registered nurse. Instead, I have placed in documentation the qualifications I also gained through my other degree. I was not at all alone in this type of strategy. Some few co-RN's also did such a maneuver, they also have another degree besides nursing. You see, one can never be too complacent nowadays, its detering to think that a single degree can already land someone a job. Its always wise to also earn another degree. There's always a fall back just in case. Happy are we with dual degrees for we can always reroute our scheme in finding jobs!Hehehehe. It's a jungle out there. The labor market is one of the toughest place on earth. The toughest wins...the most qualified gets the job. Going back to my paticipation in the job fair, of the 4 sets of documents I have prepared only 2 sets got into the hands of the participating agency (hiring companies). The remaining 2 were not handed over for reasons I personally don't know. Although I am already used to going through these events, I just could not get over the feeling when the HR manager or the representative calls out for your name cause your already due for the initial interview, one always feel cold, heart pounding fast, thristy and at times even wanting to answer old natures call! It's worst even to recall what has transpired during the interview when your turn is done! Often, I would laugh at my self for coming up with such a reason and stories...I guess I am not the only one with these experiences. The most absurd situation in an interview of all is when the interviewer assumes the "all knowing" role. I just don't get the idea why do they (interviewer) want to relay the notion that they know it all and it does not come close to reality at all. They at times even can not avoid making comments and facial expressions on things said by the applicant which in the first place not at all revolting. Don't they know that its unethical to do such things? Is the table dividing the interviewer and interviewee all that significant and empowering? What's with the damn table? Rationale please...

Nursing services for free, anyone?

How are you these days? How's your stint in job hunting? What's new with you?-candid questions asked of me by people I knOw...with a less happy grinn I would reply back to them, "I am ok...still out of luck. No chances of being hired in an institution who is supposed to pay me for the services I render." I continue on by saying, " I've earned two degrees now in order just to become a professional bum!" Sarcastic I may sound but it's the truth here in my country- the beloved PHILIPPINES! I am a registered nurse, duly licensed by the proper government agency. I have earned my degrees in a university that has tuition fees considered substantial in our setting. All believing that once a produce of a known university, I would have the edge in my job hunting.Much to my surprise up until now, majority of my co-alumni care providers have to voluntarily render services to institutions who make big chunks of profit. It's a sad truth for us professional care providers that our situation is a case of exploitation. I just could not reconcile with the idea that a neophyte nurse in order for him to be employed in a private hospital, he has to render voluntary services for no less than 3 months! This is unfair. This is a clear, right on the face INJUSTICE! With much disgust, I'd rather choose to become a bum for the moment than to be used and exploited by these institution who in the first place must give to him what is due his. The time is now for us individuals and as a group of professional care providers to initiate steps in order to curb this unacceptable business practice. Our professional organization has already made a stand on this issue, let us make it sure that it comes to the attention of the agencies concerned. Let us once more try to re-instill the dignity stolen from us so that we can proudly say to all- I AM A REGISTERED NURSE!