Sick and Tired Angels

Nurses are considered to be the angels in a hospital. Without them no one will look after our sick friend, love one or colleagues and name a few. Their roles can vary depending on the needs of the patient. They can be an advocate, teacher, friend, caregiver or a confidant. Indeed, their immense role is beyond compare.

Some of them voluntarily (only in the Philippines) render their time and effort to take care of the sick without job security or a meager allowance from a health institution or the government. It is unfortunate that nurses in our country are lowly paid. Some few lucky nurses have dizzying benefits which majority wishes to have. Hence, more nurses are fleeing the country to look for better opportunities abroad.

It is sad to note that others cannot appreciate our profession. They thought that we are just busy writing and chatting but they did not know that we are compelled to do that because we don't have a paperless system. All the care, orders, request must be written. All the lab results (abnormal, of course) must be relayed to the attending physicians or resident doctors. In addition, we also attend and look after to the demands of the patient's family which is sometimes more demanding than their patient. And if things go wrong all the fingers are pointing towards us.

On the other hand, we sometimes being berated by the physicians because of failures to do their request or some just wanted to yell to nurses (especially those who occupies higher position).We all embrace the blame, criticism, and the likes as if its part of our job. But it is utterly unfair.

We can not denunciate others to flee or to migrate to other countries because of the ineffective system. There is no change to hope because it is becoming cyclical. No one dare to change. And it makes the angels in the hospital sick and tired. We all need to be look after. We need security. We need better pay and benefits. We need to be cared for us to stay fit in our beleaguered healthcare system.

The (dys)functional healthcare system: needs DNR(DO NOT RESUSCITATE) OR REVIVAL?

Even though our economy expanded and showing robust growth for years yet our healthcare system continuously slipping into coma state. Health is always taken a back seat amongst the government priorities. In fact, our health budget is way below from the WHO recommendation(ideally a country should spend at least 5 percent of its GDP to health). As our government is bracing for financial constraints, the need to revive or resuscitate our crippling healthcare system is in limbo.

The enormous problem in our healthcare system seems to file up years after years and solutions seem to be futile or if not impossible to address. A classic example is the insufficient healthcare workforce which up until now is not being filled up although nurses are abound nowadays but not in the case of other healthcare professionals such as doctors, medical technologists, respiratory therapist, physical therapists , dietitians, and to name a few. Another example is the lacking of much needed facilities or supplies in our public hospitals where medicines, beds, syringes, needles, cottons are scarce. Even X-ray, ultrasound and other machines are in beyond repair state or necessitates replacement . And also the hospital building/s that needs renovation and expansion to cater the increasing clients.

On the other hand, the government gives little or no importance to medical or scientific researches that can be of great help in helping curb the morbidity and mortality rates in our country. It may sound too pessimistic but that is reality. Even if we are abound with so many talented doctors and other healthcare professionals unfortunately we are losing them as they are busy looking for greener pasture. The inadequate support of government to these professionals force them desperately and they are easily lured to go abroad where their expertise are highly valued ( financially and professionally).

Our healthcare system is also plagued with the century-old corruption problem. The corruption that lingers the bureaucracy is a double whammy to an already deprived healthcare system. Instead of looking for the welfare of the whole, these corrupt and selfish government officials are diverting the health money for their personal and political gains.The poor are the ones being explicitly exploited as they line in queues to beg for help. Some greedy and unjust politicians are requiring them of "signed endorsement" from their local political leaders in order to get a monetary assistance. Without the endorsement expect for no help. The system is in constant abused.

Furthermore, it is interesting to note and to hope that our government is pursuing a universal healthcare program that will surely benefit the poor and under serving Filipinos. It may be a costly and ambitious plan by the government but indeed it is laudable. But we need not only coverage but a more responsive and updated healthcare benefits not merely for those in sick but also for all citizenry. The government should pursue a preventive approach not just curative or rehabilitative.

The government should be serious enough to address and arrest the impending death of our healthcare system. Enough for a short term and band-aid solutions, we need a long -term and doable solutions to rescue our dying healthcare system.

Life in a crooked (career) path

My sky-high enthusiasm and optimism three years ago pales in comparison for what I feel for today. Although it didn't die down but it eventually nose dive to near depression and frustration. However, I am still profoundly thankful. I tremendously learned the lessons that life offers. I thought of a free sailing life but I was wrong. I was devastated for a number of reasons. I caught in a wave of disarray, mismanagement, and the likes that able to strike and shake the very fragile ship. But I was able to withstand.

Sometimes you end up dead tired planning for your career because you are bombarded with so many frustrations and failures. No matter how you persevere and patiently wait for the good things to come but still it end up in nothing. I still fervently hope and continue to believe that one day my dormant career will be able to wake up from its deep slumber.

Life offers a never ending opportunities and I am still in the quest to get my share. Patience and resilience are my arsenals and I know one day I can savor the prize that is due for me. I regret about wasting my precious time for nothing but I never regret the time when I decided to embrace my present profession.

Being a nurse may not be as financially rewarding compared to other profession. It may be one of the most stressful and demanding jobs in the world but indeed it is one of the noblest. We may share a crooked and cramped path for now looking for our keys but certainly one day we can all open the floodgates of success!

Nurses: not made to be knocked out!

Nursing boom is coming to an end. A few years ago, nursing schools are sprouting like mushrooms and thousands of student are reeling to enrolled in nursing which was selling like hotcakes then. But eventually it burst that left hundred thousands of nurses unemployed. A grim scenario that was predicted to happen.

It is unfortunate to note that nurses has no other way but to undergoes training after training or doing voluntary job (even meals are not free) just for the experience sake. It is painstakingly hard to understand that nurses are required to pay (from 1,000 pesos to as high as 15,000 or more)for their voluntary work or training where in fact they are a big help for the institution they are serving.

Nurses are even willing to accept a pay that can not commensurate for their hard work and some benefits are not even provided. Indeed, it is pitiful but nurses are resilient because they needed the experience for them to find greener pasture in the other side of the world. A big blow to the nursing profession in our country.

I would like to think that nurses are "jewel" exports to countries whose healthcare system demands huge manpower on which Filipino nurses can fill in. It is unfortunate that our own country degrade itself to be the training ground for nurses who will soon left out the country. Soon highly experienced nurses will be scarce and our country will be left out with new, inexperienced nurses. Another blow to our crippling healthcare system.

There are no solutions available because the government is inutile to prevent the massive brain drain. The attempt of the government to provide employment or programs is unsustainable considering the fiscal problem that grips our country. Again, another blow to the already burn out,distraught employed/unemployed nurses in the country.

Despite the bleak and uncertain future of nurses in our country, they remain to be patient amidst the wounds that they did not even bother to mind. Even if it is being punch a hundred times and continues to bleed, nurses are not made to be knocked out.

Continue to dream on!