3 months ago…. I was loaded with paper works, modules and homeworks…

For my second year, 1st semester, I took up Nursing Administration and Cardiovascular Nursing. Booooy! Those subjects made me think twice to pursue this degree or not.

I got busy in interpreting ECG strips that I interpret to be “just scribbles”… Got stiff neck and hand callus once again from sitting and answering long exam questions I don’t know where to get answers… I submitted homeworks, which are 1-2 inch thick or probably a 50-100 pages… Honestly, coffee was the source of EVERYTHING. Thank you CAFFEINE!

I thought I wouldn’t survive the first semester. Now is the start of getting things done “SERIOUSLY”. The past few semesters in UPOU were a happy-go-lucky one.

3 months ago… All my hard work got paid off… I GOT EMPLOYED. Finally, by the hospital I spent 1.5 years of serving… THANK YOU LORD! Thank you that they have seen my efforts and abilities to be called “STAFF NURSE”… Though my status is just “on-call”, it is okay compared to working for free.

3 months ago, I earned new friends from work, from school and got reunited with my old friends…

3 months ago, I have written several incident reports… for some reason that I am not really the “reason”…

3 months ago, I am not asking my mom for allowance… and THAT made me proud of myself…

3 months ago, I lost 3 pounds… after looking at the mirror, I saw my puffy and bulging eyebags and concluded that all the things I eat magically absorbed by my eyebags.

3 months ago, I was super busy adjusting to what was happening with my career and studies and love as well…

3 months after, here I am blogging and telling you all… I will still continue in what I do now… Let’s all hope for the best!

All the things inside me and the things I’ll tell and type about will be used against me, if not for now… maybe there will come a time… (I hate being careful and contained)

Anyway, my mum just offered to increase my weekly allowance because she saw the bitterness consuming my well-being… Who would decline with that right? But I did. My weekly allowance is enough for my daily expenses and other expenses besides that (you know what I mean…)

I will be 22 years old this July and still I can see no fulfilment in what I am doing… My mum said “Ano bang pinapagkaabalahan mo?…. Pagboboypren?” (Perhaps my mum will have read this post eventually…) I think besides “whatever-you-call-what-I-am-doing” yes, I am majoring in my “love” life. LOL!

And then after all this “thing” that consummate me… then I turned back to Facebook and Twitter… I saw this

Do I really just have to wait and see? Or am I being trying hard to appease people who doesn’t even notice?

I have read the sentiments of others who feel the same… I think all it takes to end this is guts to really tell how you feel…

Today… I am updating my resume… but who cares?

In UPOU-Master of Arts in Nursing major in adult health nursing, we are required in our major subject (N260- Adult Health Nursing) to attend a 3-day clinical practicum at Philippine General Hospital by the end of the semester.

Since February, I was getting bored with what I do at work in our institution… It was like “the-same-old-cases”… Same environment… In simple terms, everything was a ROUTINE— boring routine. Then came March that gave all the DIFFERENCE. My first ever clinical practicum at Philippine General Hospital saved the month. I was very excited because “being a nurse” in PGH is a one-of-a-kind experience, plus the fact that I was assigned to the BURN UNIT. It was s actually one of my motivations in continuing my studies at UPOU.

I don’t know what to expect but to just seize the moment to finally meet my classmates, professor and apply what we basically have studied for the semester.

We were tasked to accomplish a comprehensive nursing history and physical assessment (without looking at the chart) for the first day, make a nursing care plan and do implementation the second day and to do evaluation and follow-up on the third day.

My 3-day clinical practicum was not easy for I have been assigned to a patient who had 45% total body surface area burn. He was intubated, considering his other contraptions, bedridden and restless. It was a challenge for me but I think I was able to get through.

I experienced to do wound dressing to a burn patient, which is new for me. The staff of PGH was very hospitable and kind to share with us their experiences and teach us especially in dealing with these kinds of patients.

My clinical practicum at PGH is like a fuel that made my system/engine start and keep on going. It was indeed a “Something new” experience. It was what I needed after all. Thank you to Prof. Rita Ramos, PGH staff and most especially, my “virtual-classmates-came-to-life” LOL.

The highlight of the season!

P.S After the wonderful experience, the dreaded clinical portfolio is next. I was in my highest toxicity level in making a cqse study for my patient. Fortunately, I was able to submit and so finally I can say…

HELLO SUMMER!

Number 1- I am a SHE.
Number2- I have a VAGINA.
Number3- I just am A GIRL.

It’s true. Being a girl sucks and I think being in OB Ward is a redundancy in life already.
I am a novice nurse and I SOOOO want to learn something different other than the female reproductive system.

NO. This blogpost is not against anyone or anything. I actually have learned a lot with the 8 months that I have been assigned there. I have nothing against the people or the institution etc…

At this time, I just want to explore my options and hope that OPPORTUNITIES will be opened for a volunteer like me. Uhmm… perhaps a rotation or an employment opportunity? YES! :]

Check if they are nurses… if they are. This post might give answer to your query.

The “BLACK-OUT” is in support for AYNLA’s (Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders & Advocates International Inc.), a national registered organization of nurse leaders & advocates in the Philippines—- Nurses Black-out campaign 2011.

This is for every nurses’ endeavour, cause or advocacy…

They came up with the advocacy particularly to utilize social media as a tool for nurses’ rights awareness building, initiate social & mass mobilizations in relation to the protection of nurses’ rights and to garner support from individuals, organizations and communities to end all forms of discrimination and abuse to nurses in the workplaces and communities.

Increasing number of nurses has always been a problem (or shall I say, is becoming a crisis) but why just now? According to PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) our country already produced 200,000 unemployed and underemployed RN’s in the year 2010.

It is ironic that the Philippines is one of the top exporter of their own skilled, professional nurses but the country, itself is lacking of many nurses to take care of the communities and the society.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities acknowledge their shortage of nurses but fails to hire more because of proclaimed budget constraints. This leaves dozens of nurses flooding in workplaces other than in the field of nursing like call centers.

Many new nurses, wanting to gain hospital/clinical experience as a presumed key to international employment, offer their professional nursing services to the hospitals without getting paid. [Please insert my name here...] —Yes, we are called “Volunteer Nurses” “OJT Nurses” “Nurse Trainees”… And yes to the fact that we pay for a “3-month” or “6-month” hospital experience.

This campaign period is from January 01 – 11, 2011. I know it’s a bit hard to change your profile picture to BLACK but it is for a good cause so why not join the cause?

VOLUNTEER NURSE AKO KAYA BLACK ANG PROFILE PICTURE KO… XD

Let me give you an overview as to where this post is coming from…

April 2009 marked the start of my unemployment.
June 2009 marked the start of my “Registered Nurse” status
January 2010 marked the start of me being a “Nurse Trainee”
April 2010 marked the start of me being a “Volunteer Nurse”
July 2010 marked the start of me being entitled as a “Junior Staff Nurse” (Please don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I am promoted, It’s just a EUPHEMISM of the above…)

Since then… NOTHING has changed.

December 2010 marked the last day of my hospital duty for the year.

What did I get?

Well… I did learn a lot, made me gain confidence and some “strategies” in making my work as “SWABE” as possible. To be honest there were times that I just wanna ditch my duties because of “same-old” cases but I am still THANKFUL because EVERY DAY is a LEARNING DAY.

I ask myself, why is a decent nursing job so aloof or distant –shall I say? Am I not ready or am I just not looking closely?

Looking back at my monthly tweets with hashtag of #wish one thing in common is “EMPLOYMENT” and now that the year is coming to its end… I wish for 2011 to be…

EMPLOYMENT

Oh look…

Dear Facebook Apps, Thank you sooooo much! YOU GAVE ME HOPE

*Pardon for my EMO post *

Anyway, I must continue and finally set my mind to start reading and reading and reading and reading… Did I just typed “reading” 4x or 5? LOL.

My subjects for the second semester are Adult Health Nursing (N260) and Public Mental Health (IH 220). I was planning to take one subject but I changed my mind because I want to be on time and take all the subjects I can while I am just a volunteer nurse.

The class opened last November 6, 2010 and since then, I printed for I think a REAM of short bond paper for the reading materials. Good thing our printer is on continuous ink (which means I don’t have to worry on printing fees) and my mom has a “ream” of scratch paper to print on. Sadly, after a day of printing, our dear old printer bid its goodbye after serving its purpose for almost 2 years.

My mini-white board and corkboard is active again with writings and pins for schedules and things to read on. Sadly, I must let go the novel I was reading (House Rules by Jodi Picoult) and turn (and tear, yes tear or may I say RIP!) the pages of my modules again.

As with the proposed reading schedule, I must say, I am working really hard to keep on track because I don’t want to cram (like last semester) and overwhelm myself with numerous modules to read near deadline.

It is good to see familiar faces in both subjects I am taking as I read forums posts and I am very positive that I will finish this semester with pride.

So help me God. :]]

Philippine Nursing Opportunities Conference and Expo presents:

The very 1st NURSE’S FUN RUN 2010 PARA SA KINABUKASAN on December 5, 2010 at the CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Manila.
This is not only for Licensed Nurses but also for nursing student or nursing graduate.

The event aims to promote camaraderie among nurses and those in the nursing career, health and wellness through a fun activity and most especially, raise the awareness on the “challenges” faced by nurses in our country…

The registration fee for the FunRun is 600 pesos per pair— which means that the event is a “buddy” system Fun Run where pairs compete for a 3.5 km. run. The pair should start and finish the race together.

Here are the steps for those who are interested to join:

1. You may pre-register online, pay the registration fee at any Metrobank branches (Metrobank Savings Account No: 3-168-08523-1; Account Name: Elite Consultancy / Emma San Juan

OR

Participants can also register and pay the Registration Fee at any of the Rachell Allen branches:
Rachell Allen Taft branch
3rd Flr. E, 1428 Joshua Center Bldg., Taft Ave. Manila (in front of PGH) (look for Muz, Tel No: 527-3168)
Rachell Allen Ortigas branch
2604 Raffles Corporate Center, F. Ortigas, Ortigas Center, Pasig City (look for LA, Tel No: 914-1379)
Rachell Allen Sucat branch
2nd Flr, 8133-8135 Leo’s Bldg., Dr. A. Santos Ave., Sucat, Parañaque City (look for Jen, Tel No: 487-6974)

2. Claim the Fun Run kit at any Rachell Allen branches or during the actual event. Just present the pre-registration form and deposit slip.
3. Text your full name with the code NRSFUNRUN and the date / Metrobank branch where you made the deposit, to 0921-3792810 for confirmation.

Take note that participants should be at least 16 yrs. Old and one member of the team must be either a nursing student, nurse graduate or licensed nurse; just present a nursing student ID or PRC license during registration

This is a great event if you don’t have something to do or you might want to come with your friends for bonding or your special someone.

For more information about the event please click here.

See you at the finish line nurses! :]]

Im soooo sorry for that, my dear blog.

Anyways, I would like to Congratulate my new colleagues for making it out alive Welcome to the world of Registered Nurses where BUMs, Underemployment, Unemployment, Non-stop training, Job/Hospital Hunting and VOLUNTEERISM starts.

Pardon me for sounding a LITTLE Sarcastic but yes, that’s the sad reality. Nevertheless, enjoy the feeling till it last! ? Say hello to your names at the broadsheet and tarpaulins for some :]

CONGRATULATIONS, GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS :]]

*Will not post the list of passers, top-performing schools etc anymore. LAZY. Sorry. LOL ?*

Ok so I haven’t updated my blog since …… and I effin’ missed it. I have been [BUSY?] — Well.. I am still thinking of the right term to use… Hmmm.. OCCUPIED I guess? :] Ok, I have been occupied with reading and writing stuff. I am chasing my timetable and really, I WISH I HAVE PHOTOCOPIER’S ABILITY OR THE SCANNER’S so I could read fast in an instant and store the copy on my cranium. I even made a Google Calendar, printed it and posted it on my table but its not WORKING! T_T.  Its not that I don’t have time to go online, in fact I do because I am currently on Online schooling, if you have read my previous posts. It’s just that, I am updating Twitter and Facebook more often (I am so sorry Blog).

I am really fond of reading… well… reading NOVELS—not reading modules. I guess I am a MODULE CONVERT now. Gotta love my modules. I bring it every where I go so pardon my big bag :]

For the first few weeks, I developed a new habit— To tear my modules into pieces. And I think I am already good at it. No damaged pages. On checking our online classroom (Moodle), I don’t know if I will be delighted that I am not alone because of my classmates’ same sentiments or I will be intoxicated because of their our professor’s announcements of activities and my classmates’ posts about passing their homework and as to what module they are now in.

It got me thinking, AM I COPING or AM I NOT??? Well, I sure hope I am.
So HELP me GOD. Seriously need DIVINE INTERVENTION.

P.S
So sorry for my BLOG RANT. :] ‘Til my next post (Hopefully, its about adaptation already… :])