HYPOCRISY AND IGNORANCE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED!
By Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
April 25, 2010
Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender (GLBT) have been in the Philippine society perhaps since the human became human. Since those words were even invented. Why question their involvement in politics? Aren’t they human, too? Don’t they deserve representation just like many other sectors of our society? It’s time to stop the ignorance. GLBTs are productive, too, more productive than most.
I understand that the church has the moral obligation to teach what is right, but teaching to act right should start within their communities. And what is their definition of “right” anyway? They call GLBTs “abnormal”. What about the GLBTs working within the church? What do they do with them? What do they do to clergies found to have been sexually abusing women and children? Is moving them to another congregation or another country the “right” way to address it? Are they even considering sexual abuse of women and children “abnormal”?
“Help the needy.” If you become pregnant while in a Roman Catholic nursing school, you’ll be expelled. Why is that? She needs more help now than before she became pregnant. Expulsion will only increase her burden and lessen the chance of better future for her and her baby. Is this how they support the needy? This should be the time that more support is provided and the school should figure out a way to work on how to finish her schooling. More support, not expulsion. That’s how you help the needy.
There will always be hypocrisy and ignorance within our society, but people are now becoming more educated and can better understand how our acts have been. There is nothing wrong with having certain religious beliefs, but we cannot become fanatics. You don’t have to discriminate just because your pastors and priests said so. They’re all are human, too. They’re not God. They make mistakes, and the way they interpret the religious teachings in the books they read to you are subject to the same interpretation mistakes all human make. I believe their interpretation that GLBTs are “abnormal” is a BIG mistake.
“Do unto others what others…..” Great quote and it’s still great to teach...and practice...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
English Is Our Second Language!
English Is Our Second Language!
By: Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
April 7, 2010
I don’t want to create animosity, I don’t want to chastise or be chastised, and I will never say I am best in written or spoken English. I can’t say my command of the English language is perfect because I know it’s not, but I think it is very important that Filipino nurses discuss the importance of knowing, speaking, and writing (in) the English language. Katulad ng karamihan, sa mahal kong Pilipinas din ako ipinanganak at lumaki. Mahal ko ang aking sinilangang bansa at mananatili akong marunong magmahal sa ating wika. I’m not saying that all of us are using English primarily at work. Of course it depends on what country you are residing, but English is still the preferred way of communicating, even here on Facebook.
How can we promote ourselves to be the best nurses around the world if we can’t correctly express ourselves in English? How can Filipino nurses convey a message if constructing simple English sentences is considered a challenge by some? I admire those who are continuously posting Facebook messages in English, but I think we all need to be cognizant of how we construct our statements. You can get angry at me, but I’m just trying to be constructive.
Why talk about it? All of us knew that wherever we go, even in countries where English is not used, we tend to speak to locals in English until we realize that they don’t understand the language as well. In nursing school, we use American books, or English language books, as the most common method of learning (and teaching). We had English courses since grade school and half (or more) of our college courses are also in English. We, Filipino nurses should set higher expectations for ourselves. If we were able get through nursing school, we should at least be able to know if the way we are using the English language is right or wrong, verbally or in writing.
There are many ways to improve command of the English language. Read, read, and read. Watch English talk shows. Use Microsoft Word when writing, even for short sentences in Facebook (just copy and paste it). It will tell you if you’ve done something wrong. Use the Thesaurus option to check your choice of words. Practice, practice, and practice, again and again and again. Accept criticisms.
I won’t blame anyone for getting angry at me for saying these things, but I want to again reiterate that I didn’t write this piece to promote myself or to say my command of English is better than all of you. The fact is, Filipinos are still better than most non-English speaking countries as far as command of the English language is concerned. North Americans, Australians, and Europeans respect us for having this asset. Let’s keep that respect coming. Thank you!
By: Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
April 7, 2010
I don’t want to create animosity, I don’t want to chastise or be chastised, and I will never say I am best in written or spoken English. I can’t say my command of the English language is perfect because I know it’s not, but I think it is very important that Filipino nurses discuss the importance of knowing, speaking, and writing (in) the English language. Katulad ng karamihan, sa mahal kong Pilipinas din ako ipinanganak at lumaki. Mahal ko ang aking sinilangang bansa at mananatili akong marunong magmahal sa ating wika. I’m not saying that all of us are using English primarily at work. Of course it depends on what country you are residing, but English is still the preferred way of communicating, even here on Facebook.
How can we promote ourselves to be the best nurses around the world if we can’t correctly express ourselves in English? How can Filipino nurses convey a message if constructing simple English sentences is considered a challenge by some? I admire those who are continuously posting Facebook messages in English, but I think we all need to be cognizant of how we construct our statements. You can get angry at me, but I’m just trying to be constructive.
Why talk about it? All of us knew that wherever we go, even in countries where English is not used, we tend to speak to locals in English until we realize that they don’t understand the language as well. In nursing school, we use American books, or English language books, as the most common method of learning (and teaching). We had English courses since grade school and half (or more) of our college courses are also in English. We, Filipino nurses should set higher expectations for ourselves. If we were able get through nursing school, we should at least be able to know if the way we are using the English language is right or wrong, verbally or in writing.
There are many ways to improve command of the English language. Read, read, and read. Watch English talk shows. Use Microsoft Word when writing, even for short sentences in Facebook (just copy and paste it). It will tell you if you’ve done something wrong. Use the Thesaurus option to check your choice of words. Practice, practice, and practice, again and again and again. Accept criticisms.
I won’t blame anyone for getting angry at me for saying these things, but I want to again reiterate that I didn’t write this piece to promote myself or to say my command of English is better than all of you. The fact is, Filipinos are still better than most non-English speaking countries as far as command of the English language is concerned. North Americans, Australians, and Europeans respect us for having this asset. Let’s keep that respect coming. Thank you!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
NURSING: Learn it, Live it, Love it!
Nursing: Learn It, Live It, Love it!
By: Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
March 30, 2010
Four years in nursing school (two years to some, it took me seven). You learn the normal, the not so normal, diseases, cures for the curable, and options for the incurables. You did clinical rotations, you learn best clinical practices, you read books (lots), and prepared case presentations. You thought you have it all to be a successful nurse, but….
First year at work (if you find one) and volunteering at a government hospital was exciting. It’s really cool because now you’re working side by side with a nurse who used to be your clinical instructor. Now you’re colleagues, not teacher-student. It’s pretty awesome, too because now you can call yourself a professional. Are you sure?
You encountered a patient in the unit who is now becoming more anxious because of an impending invasive procedure. He called you and rudely said, “Hey, Bruce Lee, you look so young. Do you really know what you’re doing?” You reacted and said, “Shut your f…ing mouth!” In the Philippines, you may be able to get away with it, but not without reprimand. In the U.S., you’re lucky if you don’t get fired (I can’t speak about same cases in other countries). You became reactive. It is such a huge mistake that most nurses do. It is very much unacceptable. Completely ignoring how the patient is feeling at that moment.
Now you’re working with another nurse, a “ten year veteran.” You feel supported, but a bit threatened, and at the same time, you feel like this nurse is making you do all the work. You’re not able to speak up because you’re afraid of negative repercussions. You decided to tell the supervisor who didn’t do anything about it, then you found out the supervisor and the nurse you are complaining about are classmates in nursing school and have been friends since high school. Now you know that they’re talking about you. What do you do?
Every nurse will encounter many more surprising scenarios and many unpleasant workplace experiences. Nursing is not only about treating a patient’s known disease, but also knowing what other “hidden” needs they have. It is a game of anticipation, a game of utmost preparation. A sport that is almost impossible to win. Nurses must become skilled on how to be conscious of every word they utter and wary of every body language and gestures they make. It is not to say that nurses should let patients become abusive, but who should be defending the patient? Aren’t nurses the patients’ advocates?
Every nurse will also come across “problem coworkers”. Actual or perceived, these are expected and must be handled in a professional manner. Avoiding to address a problem with a colleague will not only result in a dreadful workplace, but also creates a negative atmosphere within a certain unit, thus creating a non-therapeutic environment which encourages poor quality of care. Let’s face it. Let’s work it. Talk about it and build a stronger work community. Be open, don’t be confrontational. BE PROFESSIONAL!
By: Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
March 30, 2010
Four years in nursing school (two years to some, it took me seven). You learn the normal, the not so normal, diseases, cures for the curable, and options for the incurables. You did clinical rotations, you learn best clinical practices, you read books (lots), and prepared case presentations. You thought you have it all to be a successful nurse, but….
First year at work (if you find one) and volunteering at a government hospital was exciting. It’s really cool because now you’re working side by side with a nurse who used to be your clinical instructor. Now you’re colleagues, not teacher-student. It’s pretty awesome, too because now you can call yourself a professional. Are you sure?
You encountered a patient in the unit who is now becoming more anxious because of an impending invasive procedure. He called you and rudely said, “Hey, Bruce Lee, you look so young. Do you really know what you’re doing?” You reacted and said, “Shut your f…ing mouth!” In the Philippines, you may be able to get away with it, but not without reprimand. In the U.S., you’re lucky if you don’t get fired (I can’t speak about same cases in other countries). You became reactive. It is such a huge mistake that most nurses do. It is very much unacceptable. Completely ignoring how the patient is feeling at that moment.
Now you’re working with another nurse, a “ten year veteran.” You feel supported, but a bit threatened, and at the same time, you feel like this nurse is making you do all the work. You’re not able to speak up because you’re afraid of negative repercussions. You decided to tell the supervisor who didn’t do anything about it, then you found out the supervisor and the nurse you are complaining about are classmates in nursing school and have been friends since high school. Now you know that they’re talking about you. What do you do?
Every nurse will encounter many more surprising scenarios and many unpleasant workplace experiences. Nursing is not only about treating a patient’s known disease, but also knowing what other “hidden” needs they have. It is a game of anticipation, a game of utmost preparation. A sport that is almost impossible to win. Nurses must become skilled on how to be conscious of every word they utter and wary of every body language and gestures they make. It is not to say that nurses should let patients become abusive, but who should be defending the patient? Aren’t nurses the patients’ advocates?
Every nurse will also come across “problem coworkers”. Actual or perceived, these are expected and must be handled in a professional manner. Avoiding to address a problem with a colleague will not only result in a dreadful workplace, but also creates a negative atmosphere within a certain unit, thus creating a non-therapeutic environment which encourages poor quality of care. Let’s face it. Let’s work it. Talk about it and build a stronger work community. Be open, don’t be confrontational. BE PROFESSIONAL!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
IS YOUR NURSE A “REAL NURSE”?
IS YOUR NURSE A “REAL NURSE”?
By: Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
March 25, 2010
American Heritage Dictionary described a nurse as “a person educated and trained to care for the sick and the disabled”. So who deserves to be called a nurse? Is it appropriate to introduce one’s self as a nurse even if he or she is not licensed at the place where this introduction happened? Can someone say that he or she is a nurse just because she “takes care of people”? After all, once a nurse, always a nurse, right?
A few years ago I met this guy in Dallas and he said he’s also from Northern California. We’ve been talking about people we knew and I mentioned that I used to work as a registered nurse in this clinic. He said that he once dated a girl named Julie (not her real name) when she was working at the same place where I used to work. He also said that Julie told him that she is a “nurse”. I remember Julie as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
On my way back to the Philippines last year, while waiting to board a plane in San Francisco, I met a Filipina lady named “Lucila”. She introduced herself as a “nurse” working in a dialysis facility in the San Francisco bay area. A friend of mine who currently works with Lucila in the dialysis facility told me that Lucila is not a Registered Nurse (RN), but a Medical Assistant (MA).
“A nurse is a nurse”. “Once a nurse, always a nurse”. These sayings will stay forever, but there are an increasing number of non-nurse disciplines using the term “nurse” to introduce themselves. This has got to stop. There are clear differences in training, education, and licensures. RN, LVN, Graduate Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, RPN, etc. You don't have to pretend. Just say it straight up.
By: Noel D. De Ocampo, MSN/ED, RN
http://thefilipinonurseforum.blogspot.com/
March 25, 2010
American Heritage Dictionary described a nurse as “a person educated and trained to care for the sick and the disabled”. So who deserves to be called a nurse? Is it appropriate to introduce one’s self as a nurse even if he or she is not licensed at the place where this introduction happened? Can someone say that he or she is a nurse just because she “takes care of people”? After all, once a nurse, always a nurse, right?
A few years ago I met this guy in Dallas and he said he’s also from Northern California. We’ve been talking about people we knew and I mentioned that I used to work as a registered nurse in this clinic. He said that he once dated a girl named Julie (not her real name) when she was working at the same place where I used to work. He also said that Julie told him that she is a “nurse”. I remember Julie as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
On my way back to the Philippines last year, while waiting to board a plane in San Francisco, I met a Filipina lady named “Lucila”. She introduced herself as a “nurse” working in a dialysis facility in the San Francisco bay area. A friend of mine who currently works with Lucila in the dialysis facility told me that Lucila is not a Registered Nurse (RN), but a Medical Assistant (MA).
“A nurse is a nurse”. “Once a nurse, always a nurse”. These sayings will stay forever, but there are an increasing number of non-nurse disciplines using the term “nurse” to introduce themselves. This has got to stop. There are clear differences in training, education, and licensures. RN, LVN, Graduate Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, RPN, etc. You don't have to pretend. Just say it straight up.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Nursing in the Philippines: Moving Forward
Nursing in the Philippines: Moving Forward
By: NOEL D. DE OCAMPO MSN/ED, RN
Week 1-Thursday, March 11, 2010
In the past ten years, the quality of nursing education in the Philippines is in the decline. This is evidenced by the continuous downward trend in passing percentages in the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE), as well as the US National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This decline may be attributed to the proliferation of many nursing schools offering substandard curriculums and unqualified teaching personnel. This issue is now a subject of debate among many of the Philippines' nursing scholars and stakeholders, as this decline may adversely affect the quality of care being provided to patients that all Filipino nurses serve. This decline may also contribute to the negative image of Filipino nurses in the international health care community, thereby affecting their marketability with employers in such places as the United States, Middle East, and Europe. It is imperative that stakeholders continue discussions of this issue and address the problems promptly.
The industry of providing nursing review programs is growing and this growth is expected to continue in the next ten to twenty years. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed in the next six years (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007). Many health care institutions in the US remain in short supply of nurses. Many schools of nursing in the US are continuing to turn away prospective students due to budget shortfall, as well as shortage in teaching faculties. Although efforts are being made by the United States federal government to alleviate this problem, and programs to increase the nursing workforce are implemented in many states, the problem of nursing shortage remains and is expected to persist for a very long time. According to Dr. Peter Buerhaus, "the average age of Registered Nurse in the US will increase and the size of the workforce will plateau as many RNs retire. Because demand for RNs is expected to increase during this time, a large and prolonged shortage of nurses is expected to hit the US soon" (JAMA, 2008).
Although the number of nursing graduates in the Philippines is currently trending downward, the demand for high quality nursing review programs remain high. Studies have shown that demand for nurses around the world is increasing and is likely to continue its upward trend in the next twenty to thirty years. Due to this, nursing enrollment in the Philippines is projected to reverse its course and begin its upward trend in the next two years. Concurrently, there will also be an increase in nursing review providers, but the level of competition will become greater due to the anticipated government crackdown on fly-by-night nursing schools and nursing review centers.
Many nursing graduates have seen the proliferation of Nursing Review Centers in the Philippines. Many of these review centers are claiming to have the highest quality nursing review program in the nation and charge hefty fees for aspiring nurses to attend their programs. Many of these review centers are also offering NCLEX review programs and are claiming to have faculty members licensed in the United States. They also provide false NCLEX passing rates and statistics to entice future nurses in using their programs. It is crucial that before making decisions in choosing what nursing review programs to utilize, aspiring nurses must ensure the credibility of a review center's faculty members. Nurses planning to take the NCLEX can make use of web-based, electronic license verification systems to ensure that a review center's faculty member claiming to have US Registered Nurse licensure is in fact, licensed. These licensure verification systems are operated by most nursing state boards for quick verification of licensures. Many review centers resort to false advertising techniques to lure unsuspecting nurses, therefore it is imperative that nurses always check and consider not only the faculty members' length of clinical and teaching experience, but also licensures in other countries that they are claiming to have.
All nursing schools offering nursing licensure review programs and all nursing review centers have the responsibility to assist future nurses take the guesswork out of any licensure examinations to help alleviate anxiety over those examinations, as well as to guide aspring nurses in their course of study. Nursing review centers employing quick marketing schemes and resorting to false advertising maneuvers should stop using those tactics and instead focus on the real reason why a nursing review center is operating. Every nursing review center should be motivated not by the revenue it will generate, but by the notion that nurses are to be developed into becoming what they are trained to become; professional, knowledgeable, skillful, competent, and truly caring individuals.
By: NOEL D. DE OCAMPO MSN/ED, RN
Week 1-Thursday, March 11, 2010
In the past ten years, the quality of nursing education in the Philippines is in the decline. This is evidenced by the continuous downward trend in passing percentages in the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE), as well as the US National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This decline may be attributed to the proliferation of many nursing schools offering substandard curriculums and unqualified teaching personnel. This issue is now a subject of debate among many of the Philippines' nursing scholars and stakeholders, as this decline may adversely affect the quality of care being provided to patients that all Filipino nurses serve. This decline may also contribute to the negative image of Filipino nurses in the international health care community, thereby affecting their marketability with employers in such places as the United States, Middle East, and Europe. It is imperative that stakeholders continue discussions of this issue and address the problems promptly.
The industry of providing nursing review programs is growing and this growth is expected to continue in the next ten to twenty years. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed in the next six years (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007). Many health care institutions in the US remain in short supply of nurses. Many schools of nursing in the US are continuing to turn away prospective students due to budget shortfall, as well as shortage in teaching faculties. Although efforts are being made by the United States federal government to alleviate this problem, and programs to increase the nursing workforce are implemented in many states, the problem of nursing shortage remains and is expected to persist for a very long time. According to Dr. Peter Buerhaus, "the average age of Registered Nurse in the US will increase and the size of the workforce will plateau as many RNs retire. Because demand for RNs is expected to increase during this time, a large and prolonged shortage of nurses is expected to hit the US soon" (JAMA, 2008).
Although the number of nursing graduates in the Philippines is currently trending downward, the demand for high quality nursing review programs remain high. Studies have shown that demand for nurses around the world is increasing and is likely to continue its upward trend in the next twenty to thirty years. Due to this, nursing enrollment in the Philippines is projected to reverse its course and begin its upward trend in the next two years. Concurrently, there will also be an increase in nursing review providers, but the level of competition will become greater due to the anticipated government crackdown on fly-by-night nursing schools and nursing review centers.
Many nursing graduates have seen the proliferation of Nursing Review Centers in the Philippines. Many of these review centers are claiming to have the highest quality nursing review program in the nation and charge hefty fees for aspiring nurses to attend their programs. Many of these review centers are also offering NCLEX review programs and are claiming to have faculty members licensed in the United States. They also provide false NCLEX passing rates and statistics to entice future nurses in using their programs. It is crucial that before making decisions in choosing what nursing review programs to utilize, aspiring nurses must ensure the credibility of a review center's faculty members. Nurses planning to take the NCLEX can make use of web-based, electronic license verification systems to ensure that a review center's faculty member claiming to have US Registered Nurse licensure is in fact, licensed. These licensure verification systems are operated by most nursing state boards for quick verification of licensures. Many review centers resort to false advertising techniques to lure unsuspecting nurses, therefore it is imperative that nurses always check and consider not only the faculty members' length of clinical and teaching experience, but also licensures in other countries that they are claiming to have.
All nursing schools offering nursing licensure review programs and all nursing review centers have the responsibility to assist future nurses take the guesswork out of any licensure examinations to help alleviate anxiety over those examinations, as well as to guide aspring nurses in their course of study. Nursing review centers employing quick marketing schemes and resorting to false advertising maneuvers should stop using those tactics and instead focus on the real reason why a nursing review center is operating. Every nursing review center should be motivated not by the revenue it will generate, but by the notion that nurses are to be developed into becoming what they are trained to become; professional, knowledgeable, skillful, competent, and truly caring individuals.
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