RNHeals Batch 2: So Unfair

It’s been almost a month now since I decided to step out of the call center arena but I’m still battling with the depressing effects of unemployment. I’m still on that stage wherein I keep on telling myself that I’ve made the right decision as far as professional growth is concerned. I don’t know if it’s denial but there are a lot of times within this ‘unemployment period’ that I feel  I’m just waiting in vain and  the risk I took will not work at all. For this reason, I was elated when I heard the news that RNHeals (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) Batch 2 is now opening its doors for thousands of unemployed registered nurses wanting to have a paid clinical experience of one year . Well, it’s good news at first but if you’re going to delve into the changes made for the second batch, a registered nurse, especially a newbie like me, will be a bit disappointed. I don’t have the full information yet  regarding the program because I only got the news from nursing websites and didn’t get the details straight from the DOH office. But so far, here are the changes I’ve found from the 2nd batch of application:

1. Compared to the previous batch, there will be no more online applications for the program. You have to exert miles of effort to do walk-in applications on certain DOH Hospitals included on their list. I heard some news from the first batch that the so-called “backer system”  took effect even if DOLE kept on reiterating that the application was on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. Well, just imagine what will happen now that the online application has been taken aside. That equates to more chances of acceptance for registered nurses with relatives or friends within these DOH hospitals and fewer chances for nurses alone in their battle for employment. It’s back to basics, after all. And for someone like me who had struggled to kept myself awake and kept my internet connection open for the hope that I would have a higher chance in the online application, this is quite one of the most frustrating discoveries I’ve found regarding the program.

2. The DOH hospitals listed under the program are only limited to the Manila area and some parts of the country. That means it’s not yet clear if all the hospitals previously included in the program will reap the benefits of RNHeals. In Bulacan area (where I presently reside), for instance, none of the hospitals I know are included. I don’t even know if nurses from CCT areas outside Metro Manila can apply at some specialty hospitals like NKTI and PHC.  This is the reason why I’m planning to do my own research and walk-in applications tomorrow to get things clear for me. I’m regretting that I didn’t make an effort to inquire at DOH office a couple of weeks ago. I just learned from someone that DOH called her up for an orientation after submitting her application three weeks ago. Regrets aside, it’s really about time for me to try my luck tomorrow. I will surely write my updates thereafter.

3. “Previous volunteers” of the DOH hospitals under the program will be prioritized. At least, that’s what I found from the advertisement. A blog author indicated that newly registered nurses do have a ‘chance’ but knowing that hundreds  of nurses became volunteers of these hospitals in the past, the chances for some will be slimmer.

4. On a positive note, the second batch of RNHeals will get one year of straight hospital experience, which is the goal of every nurses who wants to be deployed overseas. According to a friend from the first batch (who are going to finish their one-year contract by mid-Feb next year), they were assigned in the community area during the first six months and will be rotated to different hospital areas (one area per month) during the second half.

For those of you who want to know about the details for the second batch of RNHeals, here are the links:

http://nurseslabs.com/news/rnheals-2-how-to-apply/

http://nurseslabs.com/nursing-jobs/important-guidelines-for-rnheals-2-applicants/

http://nurseslabs.com/news/rnheals-batch-2-application-is-now-open/

I’m a risk-taker by nature that’s why I’m trying to be positive fkor this program. I just printed all of my application letters and CV for my journey tomorrow. After all, I will not lose anything if I try. I mean, this is one of the rare chances that a registered nurse like me to get a paid hospital experience for one year. This is my PLAN A and if it will not work as I want, there are PLAN B and PLAN C for me. Who knows? I hope and pray that I won’t need any back-up plans anymore. I will try my hardest but if it’s not for me, so be it. I’m just a hard-working nurse waiting to be discovered by a good-paying hospital. RNHeals…here I come:>