Golez, Steffi Gabrielle R.

November 11, 2019

4NUR-2 Ma’am Thelma Abelardo

Reflection

The nursing profession faces a huge dilemma. Despite the great need for nurses in the
Philippines, there’s widespread unemployment, and many have no other choice but to
go abroad. The phrase “overworked and underpaid” has become synonymous to the
nursing profession. The nurse-patient ratio in hospitals remains high at 1:50 up to 1:80.
Nurses are exposed to verbal and physical abuse in addition to disease.

“Hangga't hindi nabibigay ang disenteng sahod, talagang mapupuwersa na lumabas ng

bansa ang ating mga nurses,” says Eleanor Nolasco from Filipino Nurses United (FNU),
also noting that contractualization is a pressing issue in the healthcare industry. Nurses
have been known to have little pay or salary and no benefits, but despite these issues,
some of them still chose to stay. Just like my experience in one of our affiliation
hospitals in Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC), it is a public hospital
in Manila. This hospital caters many patients. The ward we were assigned was in
Female Surgery Ward which has only two staff nurses with more than 60 (sixty)
patients. Despite having so much patients which violates the nurse-patient ratio, they
were still able to give the care they were supposed to give. I am amazed of the nurses
in this hospital because it is okay for them to do all the things even though they lack in
staff nurses. They were not hesitating to help each patient and assist them in needs.
These nurses in the public hospitals don’t think of the work load thy will face. They still
think of the patient’s health despite the issues. I remembered I asked one of their
nurses asking, “As a nurse here in JRRMC, what can you say in this hospital?” She
answered, “I can say that being able to work with this company is one of the most
memorable for me. Even on a very tiring day, I can still feel that I have accomplished a
lot, that I am productive. I can give care for patients who at the end of the day showed
their appreciation even in the smallest things they can give. And that's how I am
satisfied.” And I guess after asking that question I started being amazed with their
nurses and I can say that they still practice the standard and ideal nursing practice what
it should be.

My second experience was in East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC). This hospital is
known government-owned tertiary general hospital in Quezon City. We were assigned
in Obstetrics ward. In their situation, 2-3 patient shares in one bed. There were only 3
staff nurses on duty with 120+ patients. Some of their nurses doesn’t give hundred
percent of what should the patients must receive. Some of their nurses are in bad mood
or short tempered which is not right. For me, nurses should be more understanding and
must be more patient with the patients. They should not bring the problems in their
work, if they have problem with the hospital don’t include the patients in their problems.
They should set aside their problems in their work area so that patient would not be in
danger. Because if they continue this kind of attitude, patient’s health may put at risk by
not giving the best care. They still must do their job and duties to these patients and
give hundred percent care.

In conclusion, nurses must practice the standard nursing practice despite every
struggles and problems they are facing. Because in the end, the patients they are
handling will suffer if they don’t do the right thing. Nurses must continue the right
standard nursing practice. Respect the patient’s right and everything for better outcome
and quality of life. And in solving the main problem of nurses going abroad, government
must do what they promised. The government itself has violated a law that it passed.
Worst situation is expected in private hospitals, which some have offered nurses salary
way below the minimum wage. And nurses patiently and passively allowed this as
"beggars can’t be choosers." They patiently succumb to what is actually a degrading
offer but is better than not finding one. This reality brings many nurses elsewhere - from
spas to skin clinics and even call centers. Some end up shifting to other careers like
teaching, sales, or business. Poor nurses who could have fulfilled their noble profession
but are pushed into becoming somebody else.