Saturday, April 18, 2009

Nursing Times Articles...

It's been a while since i visited my blog and posted a new entry...so now, let me share to you the articles which are supposedly for the Nursing Times bulletin that we planned to release during our Motorcade last March 4, 2009. Unfortunately, because of the inevitable circumstances, we failed to beat our goal.

I made a total of 4 articles and I asked one article from Ms. Biag, one of the Top 5 of the November 2008 NLE...

Here are the title of the articles:

One news article: SPC Tops NLE Again
Three feature articles:
On Spotlight: SPC's Topnotchers
How to Top the Board Exam by Ms. Biag
Nurses: What would become of us now?
One poem: Tribute to SPC RNs of 2008
(I had already posted this before...u can see this poem on the 'Poems on Nursing' category...)








SPC Tops NLE Again

I made this news article..hmm I think last March 31 or April 1, 2009...again, this was supposedly for the news bulletin that we planned to release during our motorcade...but we failed....hehe...

Here it is...

San Pedro College is exulting as it gained yet again another set of topnotchers from the biannual Nursing Licensure Exam. Alongside with such pride and honor is the outstanding 92% over-all passing rate of SPC making it as the Top 6 among the 11 best performing schools of the November 2008 NLE along with Remedios T. Romualdez Medical Foundation.

803 new RNs of the 39, 455 board passers out of the 88, 649 who took the said exam, last November 29 and 30, 2008 are all products of San Pedro College. Three of which made it to the top, namely Irisa Kriya Turaja Biag, Top 5 (87.4%); Christopher Alvarez Irorita, Top 6 (87.2%) and Francis Gerwin Uy Jalipa, Top 10 (86.4%). No doubt, SPC proved again its name as being a nesting ground for board topnotchers and passers, as well as of being the finest school of nursing in the region and one of the best nursing schools nationwide.

Nonetheless, no matter how rigid the trainings were to the graduates of SPC, still majority of those who took the November 2008 NLE were so much vocal as to the complexity of the exam. “Nadepress dyud ko sa exam kay para kay Jon Erps basic ra daw kaayo pero sa akoa nagsunggo na dyud ko,” said Ms. Irisa Kriya Biag, Top 5 of the November 2008 NLE.

The whole SPC community, especially the Nursing department is one in celebrating the remarkable performance of the SPCians who took the recently concluded board exam. In line with this, the motorcade and thanksgiving celebration for all the board passers and topnotchers of the November 2008 NLE, as well as for all the board passers of the June 2008 NLE is scheduled on March 04, 2009. This day wouldn’t just be a conglomeration of the new nurses of SPC but more so, this would be a get-together of friends and classmates way back in college since it has also been a while when they had been with each other’s company. Hopefully, on that day all the heavens will be one in celebrating the victory of the new RNs of SPC.®

On Spotlight: SPCs Topnotchers

I made this article last March 3, 2009...

Who wouldn’t want to be on TOP? --- Well, in one way or another, we all did think about seeing ourselves unto that pedestal. But, of course not all of us will be hailed with such pride, because if so, then, where’s the prestige in it at all?!

For this year’s November 2008 NLE, SPC had been lucky enough to have three topnotchers among its 803 board passers. Let us not waste more seconds, it’s but the perfect timing for us to get to know a bit more of them.

Lights off. Silence and more deafening sound of silence…

Presenter goes out while the lights dramatically flourished and the music played symphonies of extravagance and flawless emphasis.
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(The following are texts written by the three topnotchers on the questions given to them)

Presenter: “Chinita” beauty, unquestionable intelligence, indestructible determination and solid faith in the Supreme Being. Soft yet moving voice like that of an angel speaking from the heavens; chaste and impeccably gifted---These words would not live their meaning, if not for Irisa Kriya Biag, RN, one of the 5th placer of the November 2008 NLE.

Kriya on spotlight…and talking on:

Board exam preparations: I attended review classes religiously (no absences), reviewed my notes for the day as soon as I get home, and read the text books that were left untouched during college days . I didn’t go to malls unless it's something really important.I also didn't have a night life! (never had one, really..haha) But I did have my much needed R&R every once in a while!
Any ritual during the review, days before and on the day of exam: I didn't really have a ritual like my other friends, but days before the board, I ate only home-cooked meals because I was afraid I would have diarrhea during the actual day of the board exam! But I had cough and colds instead! Tough luck!
Feelings after the board: After Day 1 of the NLE, I was really frustrated and worn out. It was nothing like I expected. I haven't reviewed some of the topics that came out and I wasn't sure of some of my answers so I actually doubted if I would be able to pass. After Day 2, I was just relieved that it was over.
Who told you about the result and what happened after? My friend, Rizza Rivera texted me the result. She told me we both made it! I was really happy that I passed and I wasn’t expecting something more, then my classmate Francis Jalipa texted me and told me that I was one of the 5th placers. I thought he was just joking, so I looked at the site Francis gave me, I saw my name and I just screamed! 
Changes after topping the board: Nothing really changed that much aside from the fact that I am now "officially unemployed"!!!
Frame of mind/inspirational thoughts during review: I really focused hard during review because my 4 years of college somewhat depended on this exam and I didn't want to screw it up. I didn’t really expect to top the board, but I hoped I would, just like everybody else... And during review, I came upon a quotation in one of my friend's notes. It really struck me and served as an encouragement. It said, "If you want it bad enough, then you're gonna give it all you've got..."
Future plans: I'm planning to apply for a job at a local hospital, preferably SPH, and take the other exams like NCLEX, IELTS, etc…
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Presenter: A conscientious Christian with great conviction and a character that is congruent to his credence. Commendable for his cheerfulness and calmness amidst cumbersome circumstances. He is clever and competent with a complacent and carefree nature. He is a chivalrous contemplative chap who serves as a catalyst of change to his companions.----That’s Christopher Alvarez Irorita, RN, one of the 6th placers of the November 2008 NLE. (Source: SPARK 2008)

Tope on spotlight…and talking on:

Board exam preparations: I enrolled in the SPC in-house review, which started on July 2008; however, I haven’t felt the urge to take the review seriously at that time (always late, sometimes absent, and sleeping during the review days). Ooops. It’s as if we don’t have an exam to undertake. I’ve started to read books and reviewers only about a month or two prior the exam date (as usual, even during college days my classmates consider me as one of the master crammer) ^_^. I have also tried answering practice exam questions, which are very helpful in honing one’s ability to eliminate wrong choices.

Any ritual during the review, days before and on the day of exam: I haven’t performed anything new or special prior the exam, I am already fond of listening to music with Christian lyrics and reading the Bible way back my college years. But I spent a day of prayer and meditation as my final preparation for the board exam.

Feelings after the board: I’m quite peaceful actually, no worries with regards to the outcome of the board exam. Although there were a lot of questions in the test that I know that “I do not know the answers,” I just laid down all my anxieties before God and allowed Him to take full control of the outcome.

Who told you about the result and what happened after? My friend called me on the phone and told me that I passed the board exam. I tried browsing the net to see if it was true but there seems to be a problem with the computer so I wasn’t able to see it for myself. It was about an hour later that another friend of mine told me that I was able to top the Licensure exam, which I doubt at first, but it was indeed confirmed when I searched the internet. And after that, my phone screen registered “No space for new messages.” ^_^

Changes after topping the board: Not much, I’m still the same Tope that my friends once knew. I guess the major change that really happened is the people’s reaction towards me for the first few weeks after the result of the NLE.

Frame of mind/inspirational thought during review: But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Mat 6:33). Put God first as your main priority in Life and everything will follow. ^_^

Future plans: I have a commitment before God that I’m going to serve Him in this place for about two years or so. After that, I still have no plans; it would depend where He will lead me.

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Presenter: One single glance and it’s as if nothing happened, yet this “Ordinary Joe” image that he represents hides a priceless treasure within: a human brain that you wouldn’t even imagine to be of mortals at all. Innately blessed with a humongous and brilliant mind that will leave your jaw dropping and your tongue drooling out of amazement…He might be small, yet he can be the biggest man on earth---Francis Gerwin Jalipa, RN, one of the 10th placers of the November 2008 NLE.

Weng on spotlight…and talking on:

Board exam preparations: Wla nagpuyat during review... studied for maximum of 2 hrs almost every nyt... natulog kng gkapoy na og nag unwind pud kng kailangan.

Any ritual during the review, days before and on the day of exam:
Before exam: nagpa pray over... always prayed everyday even before the review started... mga 2 days before the exam, gibisita ang testing area, nag laag og nagtan-aw cne og wla nagpuyat. hehe
During exam: Pray, nagkaon during breaks and gcheck ang seat, test papers, applic # para dli matechnical. hehe

Feelings after the board:
Very happy k2ng nahibal-an naq na pasa q pero dli makatuo na natop 10 pa q... mura gyud atik og binuang

Success story:
First, nagtawag ang merge na top 10 daw q tapos dli gyud q katuo, mura q gibinuangan. hehe. Den ngtxt mga ci's na nagcongratulate.. Doubtful gehapon q og nituo naq partially k2ng nakit-an naq sa net aqng name. hehe. Nakabalo aqng parents den relatives og happy kaau cla.

Frame of mind/inspirational thought during review: Equal ta tanan sa pagtake og board exam... It doesnt mean na kng honor student ka pagraduate, sure na pasado ka sa board and it also doesn’t mean na kung dli ka honor student, dili ka matopnotcher.

Future plans: Magproceed sa medicine krong June.

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So, there you have it ladies and gentlemen…
Our topnotchers of last November’s NLE…
For now, the pressure is on for the next batch of examinees…
We are hoping to see more board passers and topnotchers soon…
This has been your host, wishing you a pleasant day and sending praises to all of you…


Acknowledgments:

I would like to thank Irisa Kriya Biag, RN, Christopher Irorita, RN and Jerwin Jalipa, RN for taking time to answer the questions that I asked them via Friendster...hehehe...

This article wouldn't be possible without them...besides, this is all about them...hahaha...

Thank You again...and congratulations...;-)


How to Top the Board...

This article is written by Irisa Kriya Biag, RN...


I think that there’s really no sure way to top the board exam. I, myself, even doubted whether I would be able to pass it at all! As I like to say, we don’t expect that we would top the board exam, but we all hoped for it…

I really don’t know how to go about this topic, so instead, I will just share my thoughts…

In this competitive world, I believe that “sacrifice” is the name of the game. As someone once said, “In life, we don’t always get what we want or what we need, we get what we deserve.” We have to work hard for what we want and prove ourselves worthy of having that license. If it means missing a night out with friends for a project, spending extra time at the library to research or depriving yourself a couple of hours sleep just to finish a case study, then why not? These are just small sacrifices compared to what our parents had to go through just to provide us money for our tuition. All of these difficulties will just be an ant bite once you find your name on the passers’ list (more so if it’s in the list of topnotchers) and see the joy and pride in your parents’ faces.

As what our clinical instructor, Dr. Cherry Alalong, told us during our college years, preparation for the board exam doesn’t start during review season, nor does it start during our 4th year when NLE seems to be so close (more like an impending threat!)… Preparation for the NLE starts during the first day we set foot in our school to study Nursing… When I came to SPC, I really worked hard and did the best I could in every subject that we had because I didn’t want to have to look back knowing that I could have done a much better job. But still, human as I am, I still had few regrets… wishing I could have paid more attention to this lesson and taken the initiative to find out more about this particular topic… But my point really is that, we should all take each day as a chance to learn new things, discover whole new experiences, and gather invaluable lessons and virtues… Take as much as we can! All of which will help us become a better professional and a better nurse…

And aside from the 4 years of good nursing education in SPC, here are some random things on how I prepared for the Nurses’ Licensure Exam after graduation, and surprisingly became one of the 5th placers .

A couple of months before the review, I avoided eating junk food and munched on healthier treats, like fruits and vegetables to detoxify my body! I also listened to classical music to help me relax.

During review, I attended the classes religiously, not missing any session no matter how tired I was or how tedious it was to listen to a particular topic (sacrifice!). I also reviewed my notes once I got home (repetition aids retention!). But it was not “all work and no play”, because I also took my time to rest and relax (give your brain a break!) I ate only home-cooked meals because I was afraid I’d have diarrhea on the day of the board exam. And to make sure, I took antidiarrhea medications, just in case!

The night before the board exam, I prepared everything I needed: my uniform, the necessary documents, my pencils and sharpener, etc. so I wouldn’t forget anything the following morning.
And lastly, I prayed. I did not ask Heavenly Father to make me a topnotcher. I just asked Him to help me do my best in the board exam. I prayed that I will be able to think clearly. I prayed that I would be able to remember the things that I have learned. I prayed that I would be able to arrive at the testing center safely and I prayed for Heavenly Father comfort me and take away my jitters.

Nurses: What would become of us now?

I made this article last March 3, 2009...

I passed! I passed! --- You screamed!
Then, your inner voice went unto the scene and exclaimed, “And so?!”


Indeed, your conscience has the right to stress on that reality. Few days ago, 39, 455 new nurses were born. But looking forward, will this be 39,455 new unemployed Juan and Maria Dela Cruz? Which is which?

The answer??...Hmmm…Of course, lies on you dear nurses. Whether you are that aggressive and itchy enough for exposure or you prefer to stay dormant for sometime and just stay home watching over your baby sisters, herding the ducks or cutting orchids on your hacienda----it’s really your prerogative!

Well, just in case you are still confused like many other nurses out there as to where they will be heading now, I have here a short list with supporting details of some options that you can consider this crucial time of decision making.

It is indeed very crucial, because a moment delayed will certainly be a split second wasted, more so with this ever-becoming-complicated world and with the undeniable exponential growth of the population of nurses worldwide---The competition gets tougher as the clock ticks faster!

The following are just some of the many options you can go for, now that you are a nurse, but considering the scarcity of pages here, let me just present those which ring the bell louder (on random order).

1. Go for trainings and seminars

The trend of application in the hospitals isn’t new to us already, not unless you
were just born today. With the big number of nurses vying for a slot in the hospital, you are lucky enough if you have a backer, as they say. Well, we all know how things work these modern times. Moreover, I am not referring solely about hospital trainings here. You can also have Basic Life Support Training handled by Red Cross for a vey reasonable price of 800php . Also, you can volunteer at Davao’s 911 or avail of their training, as well.
Furthermore, PNA has been giving seminars lately and they still have schedules for future talks given, of course by credible speakers on this field. Just last February 28 they had seminar on Physical Assessment. The next will be on March 28, and it would be all about Diabetes Mellitus.

2. Private Duty Nurse

The fastest way to be under this field will be by virtue of common friends. If a friend of yours happens to have a relative who is in need of your nursing care, then, it’ll start there. But wait there’s more, you can also apply to be a PDN on the hospital, but I just doubt if the demand for it is enough with the ratio of the number of unemployed nurses and the number of patients who can afford to pay for it or is in need for a PDN.

3. NARS

NARS is a Training cum Employment Project, jointly implemented by the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Professional Regulation Commission, Board of Nursing (PRC-BON), designed to mobilize unemployed registered nurses to the 1,000 poorest municipalities of the country to improve the delivery of health care services. (Source: http://bonphilippines.org/)

The nurses will undergo a six-month training in public health services in the provinces where they will be able to do clinical practice under the supervision of participating hospitals and other medical facilities. Each of them will receive an allowance of P8,000. (Source: philstar.com)

However, Jackson Gan, vice-president of the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters said the government’s Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas (NARS) program might be laudable in giving Filipino nurses the job experience they need but hospitals abroad require nurses to have training in specialty areas that are only available in urban hospitals. (Source: gmanews.tv)

4. NCLEX/ IELTS/ CGFNS, etc

If you are that financially stable and supported, this option would really be a big
hit for you. I said so since taking these exams and reviewing for it, as well as processing the needed papers really cost a lot. A friend of mine, Ms. Aprilyn Sulit, RN paid around 35, 000 just for the faster processing of her papers for NCLEX, wherein after a month you can already have your Authorization to Test (ATT). Taking and passing these exams the earliest time possible can give you the benefit of not worrying about it later and gives you a faster chance to go and work abroad.

NCLEX (National Council Licensure EXamination) is an examination for the licensing of nurses developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in the United States.(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCLEX)

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. (Source: http://www.ielts.org/)

CGFNS International (formerly the Commission on Graduates of
Foreign Nursing Schools) is an internationally recognized authority
on credentials evaluation and verification pertaining to the education,
registration and licensure of nurses and health care professionals
worldwide. (Source: http://www.cgfns.org/)

5. Work for that additional title after your name: MAN, MN, etc

Taking post-graduate studies means that you will be here in the Philippines for
about two years working on your title. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that for two years or so, you will devote your time entirely on this matter. Post-graduate classes are usually scheduled on weekends so as not to intrude with the schedule of the students during weekdays. Of course, you can work, review for NCLEX and study for your Masters Degree all together. But, you can choose not to, unless you are really obliged and pressured to do so.

Holders of this degree have a higher monetary compensation compared to those who don’t, needless to say the pride which is present with the additional two or three letters after your name. Try to practice reading your name aloud with such title, and maybe…Just maybe, you’ll be motivated to enroll the soonest time possible.

6. Review Assistant (RA)

If you envision yourself as a reviewer one day, yet you are not that confident this
time, then, being a review assistant can be a stepping stone for your primary goal. However, it is not synonymous to saying that all RAs share the same aspiration which is becoming a reviewer in time. There are of course those who just love to be on this job. Why not? According to reliable sources, RAs are being compensated more compared to nurses working in the hospital as a regular employee.

But what are the tasks of RAs? Literally speaking, they are the assistants of the reviewers. They will be the ones who will fetch the review experts from their hotel towards the review center; they will find the place for them to eat (they can avail the free food, of course); they will serve as the tour guide of the reviewers, since most of them are from Luzon and they will be the ones who will check the attendance, prepare the papers for the exams, prepare the venue for the review, and all those similar things.

7. Review Experts

Do you want to earn at least 1200php/hour? Then, being a reviewer is the job for
you. But, the question is: Do you have what it takes to be one?

You had witnessed how these review experts do their thing; so for sure, you have even just the slightest idea as to how tough it is to be on their podium. Stock knowledge isn’t enough to qualify you for this job. You need enough preparation for it, but of course, that depends as to when you had started your preparation. Well, if you had started since first year college, then, go --- you are very much prepared already; and you know what I meant by that.

8. Clinical Instructors

Looking back to your college days, if you had dreamt of being a CI that time,
then, now is your chance to actualize that fantasy. School year 2009-2010 is fast approaching, so the demand of the school for new CIs are not that questionable already. Provided of course that you meet the requirements that they need and you’ll pass the exams and interviews along the way.

Days or months from now, you can be just a step away from being colleagues with your once upon a time clinical instructors. You will be in the classroom again, but this time not as a student. You can now experience being on the shoes of your CIs every time you came in late before, had overload or underload on your IVs, had a mistaken entry on your chartings, gave the wrong medication to your patient, went on with your case presentation unprepared, talked about your topic on your seminars with the least preparation, and all of those naughtiness and flaws of being a student. And if you’re lucky enough, you can say, “I’ve got 75, I’ve got scolded --- but see I’ve learned.”

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You can opt for one or more of these choices all at once, but what matters most is you don’t get stagnated and unproductive. The heart of the matter is productivity.

Time is of the essence…
So, let’s get started.