Top 5 Things A Filipino Nurse Must Know About “Saudization”

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Just recently, the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia announced that there are job vacancies available  for female Filipino nurses trained in special areas. However, most applicants are hesitant to pursue their job applications because they are well-informed about the present employment crisis, termed as “Saudization”,  that has enveloped the rich Arab country since June 2011. Although this is a serious issue that we have to deal with as a country, there are a lot of misconceptions that we have to clear out about this “Saudization” phenomenon before anything else. And as a nurse with a sole intention to educate my fellow nurses, I want to share this five essential information that you must know about the “Saudization”:

1. Saudization is a strict law but it will not cause massive displacement of Filipino nurses.

Saudization or the Saudi Nationalization Scheme (Nitaqat system) is the recent law implemented in Saudi that compels institutions and enterprises to fill-up their labor force with Saudi nationals. This is an answer to the country’s growing number of unemployed citizens. According to www.nursing.ph, companies which fail to comply with the said policy will not be allowed to apply for new, replacement or seasonal visa for their foreign workers nor can they change their foreign workers’ profession. They cannot also file an application to open new enterprises or branches. This in turn will inhibit them to hire foreign employees thus decreasing job offers in our country. On the upside, enterprises which are able to fulfill the said requirement can hire more foreign employees. For this reason, it is clear that “Saudization” will not cause massive termination of Filipino nurses and OFWs; only those who are working for companies that failed to comply with the requirements of Saudization have the chance to lose their jobs.

2. Saudization has been implemented for regulation purposes only so annual recruitment of Filipino nurses is still allowed.

 The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) calmed the public by saying that the Saudization would not have an immediate impact on OFWs because it would be implemented in a gradual manner. Some areas are not yet affected of the law and several companies have successfully complied with the Saudization requirements so the demands for Filipino nurses and other skilled workers remain high.

3. Filipino nurses from non-compliant companies will be allowed to be rehired by other companies if they pass a certain standard.

Workers, who are employed on companies that are not compliant to the policy and yet have exceeded 6 years of stay in KSA, can still be hired by compliant companies without the permission of their employers. (www.nursing.ph)

4. The Philippine government, through the assistance of DOLE, is doing its best to save Filipino nurses and other OFWs from the wrath of Saudization.

The Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines(DOLE) has taken measures to provide immediate assistance to OFW’s affected by this phenomenon. It has created an online registration system to put up a database which consist accurate information of the workers affected by Saudization. Moreover, DOLE also made an on-site re-employment assistance which helps transfer affected workers to compliant companies, and reintegration assistance for returning OFW’s. (www.nursing.ph)

5. There is a possibility that Saudization might fail, at least according to predictions of some Arab nationals.

A news report published on www.filipinosabroad.com has revealed that after six months of implementation, labor officials in Saudi are saying that Saudization is so far a failure. As a matter of fact, 50% of private companies in Saudi are non-compliant with the scheme despite warnings that they would not be issued new work visas. This information appeared in an article in Emirates 24/7, a news site based in Dubai, UAE. In addition to that, other nationalities have failed to imitate the quality of care that Filipino nurses provide to their patients so it won’t be surprising at all if KSA will one day announce that Saudization is no longer in effect.

Sources:

http://www.filipinosabroad.com/ofw-news/saudi-companies-complying-saudization-policy.html

http://www.nursing.ph/how-saudization-affects-filipino-nurses.html

7 Deadly Sins That Nurses Should Avoid

There is more to Nursing than meets the eye. And if you think that being a nurse is all about getting monthly paychecks and other perks, you might be barking up the wrong tree. Of course there are a lot of challenges waiting along the way but choosing to be a nurse can give you the ultimate fulfillment in the long run. To be a competitive nurse, you don’t just upgrade your skills and knowledge; your own attitude can also be your key to success. So if you think you are the know-it-all type of nurse, you better check yourself again because you might be missing some other points. Here are the “7 deadly sins” that nurses should avoid in the whole span of their career:

1. Refusing to Admit Mistakes

Regardless if you’re a fledgling nurse just starting to build your reputation or the most senior of all senior nurses, honesty should still be your top priority. People do err sometimes and nurses are not the exception to the rule. Admitting mistakes can reach as far as saving your patient’s life so make sure you know the drill in the first place: more common sense, less mistakes. Though nursing mistakes, may it be minor or major, have no place in the nursing profession, it really do occur every once in a while. So the next time you commit an error, remember the rule: be honest and immediately report the incident.

2. Believing that All People Can Be a Nurse

The statement “I can be a nurse!” is easier said than done so before one can decide to be nurse, it’s very important to weigh all the available options. During the old times, Nursing path was considered as the “road less traveled” but when the demand for highly-paid nurses skyrocketed few years ago in the Philippines, many people, including those who already have stable white-collar jobs, grabbed the opportunity to be a full-fledged nurse. We all know what happened next so just remember one thing before getting yourself enrolled in a reputable nursing program: be a nurse if you’re really “called” to be a nurse.

3. Being Afraid To Take Chances

In Nursing, courage and confidence are the leading traits for a fruitful career. For you to succeed as a nurse, you must learn how to get out of your comfort zone every once in a while. You don’t have to be stagnant in a particular nursing area if you have all the chances to try and explore other nursing fields/areas within your hospital. It’s the same with finding a nursing job: if you think it will be more beneficial for you and your career if you work overseas, then go grab it. In addition to that, with the scarcity of nursing jobs in the Philippines, it is also highly recommended if you look outside the more traditional hospital nursing job and find something out there that will support you financially and fulfill your “calling” as a nurse at the same time.

4. Forgetting About Your “Inner Calling”

Setting aside your nursing career to find other jobs is one thing but completely forgetting about your “calling” because of frustration and exhaustion is  another. Well, that decision won’t harm if you were just forced to take up Nursing in the first place but what if you really wanted to be a nurse but has been stalled by an overwhelming series of setbacks and rejections? I guess it all boils down to your willingness to hear what your heart really wants you to do. At the end of the day, a nurse will always be a nurse no matter what.

5. Having More Work, Less Life

Work life can sometimes be too much for a nurse so make sure you still have your own version of “life-work balance” intact. Always keep in mind that Nursing is not a dead end but also a passageway which can open a lot of surprises for you. Feel free to explore your other passions aside from Nursing. You can go to beach, treat yourself to spa, watch your favorite movies, write your own book, date your girl friends, and do other things that can fill the gap between your stressful job and personal life at home.

6. Taking Your Own Health For Granted

Taking care of your patients won’t give you the excuse to take your own health for granted. Stress and fatigue can take their toll on you and the moment you reach the threshold of being burned-out, your own career and health may be in danger. Find time to relax and assess what are those things that really deserve your attention and those that are just adding up to your headaches. Don’t forget to exercise, take daily supplements, and enjoy life as it is.

7. Telling Yourself  That “You’re Just A Nurse”

Gone are the days that nurses are ridiculed and humiliated; nurses nowadays have gained their own sense of independence and identity in the healthcare industry. And with more opportunity to support your family financially and make a difference to the lives of many people, there’s no place for self-pity and telling yourself that “you’re just a nurse”. Act independently, speak up when necessary! Nursing is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world so why fret? Smile and just let your God-given skills to the job.

Top 5 Survival Tips for the Fledgling Nurse

Let’s start by not sugarcoating the fact that in the Philippines nowadays, Nursing is not the easiest ticket to financial success. Gone are the days when nurses flock nursing schools to get a diploma, work in local hospitals to gain few years of experience, and then get an overseas employment as easy as 1,2,3. Many things have changed over the years in the local nursing industry and unfortunately, international demands and restrictions for Filipino nurses have drastically changed as well. For this reason, it is not uncommon to hear these days stories voicing out the plight of our very own registered nurses. But what should we do when even lobbying for laws and policies in favor of our nurses is not enough to lift them up from their present situation? Do we always have to blame the government and our parents for this phenomenon that has gripped the nursing profession? If you are a real nurse, you should know how to apply first aid on your present predicament and follow these tip-top tips (N.U.R.S.E.) on how to survive Nursing during these trying times:

• Never give up.

 Having a resilient attitude is a must to survive this season of job-hunting. If you failed to get an RNHeals slot, a plantilla position, or even just a chance to work as a volunteer nurse, so be it. Give yourself enough time to recover and get ready for another series of job search. Submit your curriculum vitae to as many hospitals as possible and avoid trimming down your alternatives to a limited number of  ”preferred hospitals”. Remember, this is not the best time to be “choosy” or force yourself to specialize on a nursing field when you doesn’t even have a general ward experience yet. Don’t quit especially when you face a lot of setbacks. Who knows? Yours might be another nursing success story in the making. So cheer up! Besides, you’re not the only one struggling to get a job. If you really want to be a nurse and have the heart to survive it, then go for the gold. And do you know how to get your dream job? JUST DON’T GIVE UP.

• Use your contacts.

You’re done having that “student-nurse” and “board examinee” status so don’t bring your friends with you when  you apply for a nursing job as much as possible. Believe it or not, your independence in the profession starts as early as the job-hunting period. Build a lot of contacts by opening your lines of communication to a lot of nurses you meet each day. They can be a stranger you meet while you’re applying for your nursing license inside the PRC, a co-trainee during your IVT or BLS training, or just a simple nurse you happen to bump in while exploring the Facebook world. Don’t forget to exchange numbers and build friendships with them. They might be holding the key for a rare nursing opportunity so update each other every once in a while.

• Resume-building.

How can you have an edge and be above the other 300,000+ unemployed or underemployed nurses in the country? Simple: Polish your resume. But remember, you can’t build a solid foundation from nothing; a good nursing resume can be developed not by staying at home the whole day doing nothing but updating your nursing skills and knowledge through relevant trainings and seminars. No one is excuse for this requirement because Nursing is a profession that evolves continuously and develops modern advancements  you can only learn by signing-up to these “continuing professional education” programs. Some are budget-friendly and some are too expensive for those RNs with a tight budget. But remember, nursing is an intricate profession and you have to establish a very good investment for you to flourish in this life-long career.

• See other possible options and be open to them.

Let’s admit it. We have an overflowing number of nurses and the budget cuts made by the government for the health sector only intensifies our hospitals’ inability to accommodate all registered nurses in the country. But that is not something we have to fret about because nurses, as they say, are resourceful in and outside the hospital setting. If hospitals are temporarily closing its doors to nurses, one can try to utilize their geriatric and pediatric skills in home care institutions, participate in various medical/dental missions, or apply their nursing knowledge while working as review assistants or national reviewers in numerous nursing review centers. In addition to that, nurses can be entreprenurse and establish their own businesses or work as call center agents in BPO companies offering medical or health care accounts especially made to cater licensed nurses. Your career as a nurse can still be rewarding if you know how to think outside the box and not just limit yourself by just being a “hospital nurse”. You can also attend various job fairs or career fest to discover a world of unlimited opportunities like the annual PNOCE or Philippine Nursing Opportunities, Conference, Expo, and Job Fair (http://www.philnursingexpo.com/) held every last quarter of the year in different parts of the country. The government, with the cooperation of DOH and DOLE, also offers all nurses an alternative to gain relevant nursing experience through RNHeals, which will open again its doors for the third batch of applications early next year. Also, don’t forget to use the world wide web to find job opportunities here and abroad. You can use the following websites to find nursing-related  jobs and create a personalized online resume:

http://www.workabroad.ph/

http://www.jobopenings.ph/

http://www.jobstreet.com.ph/

This is not the best time to be closed-minded and pessimistic. It’s easy to find a job, all you need is an ounce of perseverance and the willingness to help yourself.

• Encourage one another.

Don’t be too consumed and affected by discouraging articles and news telling you that Nursing is not a rewarding profession anymore. It might not give you the power to buy a Porsche car during the early years of your career but remember, Nursing is not all about financial rewards in the first place. It might be helpful to update yourself with facts surrounding the nursing profession but not every thing you hear or see is worth your time. Filipino nurses should not just share news or stories about how bitter they are as a nurse but also encourage one another through inspirational stories and bravely sharing the reality that this too shall pass. People who hates and discriminates nurses are more than enough to bring our nurses’ spirits down, so why add more to the insult? Nurses are the only people who can understand the struggles and fulfillment of other nurses. We have our own little world thrived by nurses and fueled by our own subculture that only nurses can understand. Love one another. Help one another. Inspire one another. That is what we call the “nursing spirit”.

Outstanding Davaoeña Nurse Has Made Filipinos Proud in U.K.

Mylene Freires with Philippine ambassador to UK Enrique Manalo. Photo credit: ABS-CBN News

Filipino pride has been rekindled after Ms. Mylene Freires, a native of Panabo, Davao del Norte and a Siliman University alumna, became the very first Filipina to receive the 2010-2011 Mary Seacole Development Award. Ms. Freires is an advanced nurse practitioner for venous access at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London and her project on the development of nurse-led Port-a-Cath insertion service for patients with sickle cell disease was picked amongst the proposals from various candidates working under the NHS in the entire UK.

In a ceremony held at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) headquarters in London, she was recognized in the presence of Anne Milton, MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Public Health. The awards were created in honor of the nurse, Mary Seacole, who made a significant contribution to nursing in the 19th century, including nursing wounded British soldiers during the Crimean War. They are funded jointly by the UK Department of Health and NHS Employers who work in partnership with the RCN and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM)

“I felt honored that I was selected amongst many nurses and midwives in this country because the award is both for nurses and midwives and to be given that prestigious award, I feel that I actually done something to make us all Filipinos proud,”said Freires during her interview with Rose Eclarinal of ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Track Record of Excellence

Hers is just a simple story about the courage to embrace Nursing wholeheartedly and the essence of finding one’s niche to move forward. During one of her interviews, Ms. Freires admitted that she did not envision to be in the nursing profession but when prodded by her relatives to study nursing for her university degree, she almost immediately liked her chosen field. Her overseas work in the UK started in 1999 when her friend asked her to tag along and apply with her for a job in the UK. She did and never looked back.

“When I started doing it, I realized it was actually my personality and my character fit within the characteristics of what a good nurse should be. Since then, I always wanted to do my best in everything I do. I always give my 100%. If I start strong, I’d end strong,” she explained.

Freires is not new in receiving awards and recognition. She was a Cancer Research UK grant awardee in 2008 and received a 3-year funding for a master’s program in advanced practice. She was also awarded a grant worth £12,000 by Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Foundation Trust to develop an information DVD on Central Venous Access. It is now being used by the NHS.

“I guess in everything you do you have to aim high. It’s very difficult to work outside the country. Of course it is competitive in the Philippines but it is more competitive here because you are not just competing with Filipinos but you are competing with other races,” she explained.

Ms. Mylene Freires (left) with Rt. Hon. Anne Milton, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health (Photo credit: www. abs-cbnnews.com)

Making a Difference as a Filipina

Speaking to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau at Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospital, her colleagues, subordinates and former students only had accolades for her. They said they were inspired by Freires’ work ethos.

“I’m so proud of her, we are proud of her because she is the first Filipina to win this prestigious award. When we heard about it, we were just so happy for her,” said colleague Minni Salvador, a senior sister at Cancer Day Unit.

“Mylene is very hard working. Even if she is not well, she comes to work,” she added.

“Mylene has been a mentor throughout my central line insertion technique. She is very good. She is an amazing teacher,” said Elizabeth Crowther, a clinical nurse specialist.

Jane Hodson, a lead IV practitioner, said Freires is very passionate at what she does.

“I think it’s fantastic for the whole hospital that we have somebody like Mylene working here. She has personally mentored me, so I am very proud of her successes,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mylene Freires accepted the reward with humility and conviction, a cut above the rest. “I believe one of the reasons I was selected for the award was my work did not just make a difference for the patients in making their experiences better but I also challenged status quo and managed to bridge the gap between medical and nursing professions,” she said.

The Mary Seacole Leadership and Development Awards recognize nurses, midwives, and health visitors around the United Kingdom who make an outstanding contribution to patient care through development and leadership. The Development Award, worth £6,250, allows recipients to undertake a project that benefits the health needs of people from black and minority ethnic communities. The Leadership Award, worth £12,500, enable nurses, midwives, and health visitors in leadership positions to undertake a project to improve patient care. (www. worldclass-filipino.blogspot.com)

“The positive contribution of Filipino nurses and health care workers in the United Kingdom is highly appreciated by the British Government. Their care and compassion are sought after by patients. Our nurses are truly ambassadors of goodwill of the Philippines,” remarked Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo in his report to the DFA.

There are 60,000 Filipino health care workers in the UK, including 30,000 Filipino nurses.

The Filipino community in the UK is estimated at 250,000 and is organized into various professional, regional, and educational associations, including the Silliman University Alumni Association-United Kingdom Chapter of which Freires is an active member of its Board of Directors.

Sources:

http://worldclass-filipino.blogspot.com/2011/12/filipina-nurse-mylene-freires-receives.html

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/12/17/11/outstanding-pinay-inspires-fellow-nurses-uk

http://www.filipinosabroad.com/ofw-news/outstanding-pinay-inspires-fellow-nurses-uk.html

http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/18755-mylene-freires-mary-seacole-development-award.html?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Pinoy+OFW+Wall&utm_term&utm_content&utm_campaign=Social+Media

Pinoy Nurse Honored at The Big Apple

It seems nothing can stop Filipino nurses from bringing honor to the Philippines and to the nursing profession as a whole. Last December 12, 2011,  Michael Tagadaya, a Filipino nurse of mixed Tausog and Maguindanaon ancestry and also a Notre Dame University alumus, bagged  New York Times 2011 Tribute to Nurses Award for innovation and leadership at the New York Times headquarters in Manhattan. The “Tribute to Nurses Program” is New York Times’ way of bringing the attention to a broader level, the outstanding contribution of nurses in the healthcare field in the Tristate area.

However, the icing on the cake is the fact that his inspiring success story had its own fair share of hardships and resiliency. Tagadaya is son of the late Julhussien Tagadaya, a bemedalled police officer who also served as chief of the Cotabato City police in the late-1980s. And to pay for his educational needs, Tagadaya said he was shining shoes and working in a deli during his younger years. After becoming a registered nurse, Tagadaya came to the U.S. in 1991 to chase his American Dream.

But making it to the “land of milk and honey” didn’t push our very own Michael Tagadaya to just stay and be stuck in his own comfort zone. He has worked his way up to prove that Filipino nurses are the epitomy of unparalleled dedication and love to the nursing profession. As a nurse manager at the Ambulatory Surgery unit of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Tagadaya created paddle pagers to ease the family members’ concerns about their loved ones’ surgeries. He also created new staff positions to bridge the gaps between operating room and recovery room. Tagadaya’s superiors at the NYU hospital say, patient satisfaction soared, thanks to those innovations.

“It’s no surprise that a lot of our nurses are of Filipino background and we really have a lot of respect for them, and they’re wonderful colleagues and they really make our medical center special, It’s a pleasure to have them,” said Joseph Basco, Vice Chair of the Orthopedic section of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.

Tagadaya  was nominated in three different categories. With his unique contributions to the nursing field, the awards organizers say, they created a new award category for the Filipino nurse – the Innovaton and Leadership Award.Today he has a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

Michael Tagadaya is only one of the millions of Filipino nurses working day and night to make a difference to the lives of their patients and put the Filipino name and our country’s reputation on the pedestal. Filipino nurses who are struggling back home should take Tagadaya’s story as an inspiration and a driving force to make a difference to people’s lives anytime and anywhere. That’s what we call the true spirit of a FILIPINO NURSE.