Filipino Nurses: Carers of the World

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WHAT MAKES US FILIPINOS (aka PINOY) DIFFERENT from the rest of the lovely people around the world? Well, the quick answer is that – every Pinoy has a relative who is working as a NURSE, either in the Philippines or abroad. Whether a sister or a brother, maybe a cousin, nephew and niece, or an aunt and uncle, even a neighbour – we have it all. It runs in our big and extended families!

DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PINOY NURSES WORKING ABROAD? Thanks to google search engine and I was able to find it for you.  According to a news article published in PhilStar.Com that  between 12,000 and 15,000 nurses and other medical professionals leave the Philippines annually for better-paying jobs abroad. Majority of them end up in the US, UK, and the Middle East. Despite the drop in Sterling pound and US dollars, it is still lucrative to work abroad. It is estimated that  nurses can work 12 hours a day, three days a week, earning between $45,000 and $50,000 annually – 10 to 15 times they will receive back in the Philippines.

The FilipinoNursesNews.com ALSO REPORTED THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PINOY NURSES to work abroad are getting slimmer every year. The decline is due to the changes in “policy in destination countries, the oversupply and quality problems on our nurses.” For example, UK is one now limiting Filipino nurses by passing strict immigration policy, allowing local new graduates as priority pool than recruiting from overseas. This is a reality check for our aspiring graduates to get a job abroad after passing the licensure examination. Consequently, it will affect the nursing and health/medical education in the Philippines, and future graduates do not get an assurance to work overseas.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THOSE NURSES WHO ARE NOW WORKING AND LIVING HAPPILY ABROAD are fortunate enough to harvest their hardwork and generosity. One of them is my younger sister who did her best to get a job in Dubai. Im very proud of her after so many years of encouragement, even hiring her as my office secretary for the time being that she was looking for a proper position in a hospital/clinic back in Manila. It took 10 years for her dream to become a reality. I remembered that she took this job in Makati paying here soooo low, just to complete her Dialysis training program in Ortigas for a year as part of the employer requirements abroad. At the end, she managed to get a long-term contract in Dubai since 2006.

FEW MONTHS AGO, SHE ASKED ME IF I COULD WRITE A POEM to be entered in a local competition. Guided by the theme, “what nursing means to me”, I was able to write this poetic piece, thinking about my sister’s dedication to be one of our “carers of the world”.  Having said that, I will take this opportunity to share and dedicate this poem to all the Filipino nurses around the globe, my simple way of saluting them for being the “ambassadors” of the Philippines.

FINALLY, to my shy but generous and trusted sister BHEA, thank you and advance happy birthday!

What nursing means to me…

N- othing really inspired me to pursue this career

but I played with dolls and needles as a little girl

not to become a scary-bitchy witch, to bring magic spells

just having a fun and pretending to keep them well.

U- ntil I realised what a great life it might be

not only wearing a white cap, but all the way

confident enough to bring an addictive smile

all wary- weary hearts, making all them worthwhile.

R- em’bring my beautiful cousin’s dream of a lifetime

with  Uncle Sam’s  promise , that everything will turn fine

not a surprise, “land of the free” gives her freedom to stay

she’s working so hard as a devoted nurse to be!

S- o now Im following her footsteps to help my kin

i’m away from home, helping others Im not too keen

and as the years go by, Im confident and strong

embracing the essence of nursing as I go along.

E- motionally draining, coupled with fear and panic

but it’s hardwork, patience and being sympathetic

able to care, regardless of colors and beliefs

vocation that keeps me inspired in what I believe!

Click here to vote for my blog (#25)

NOTE:  This post is part of my entry and support to the 2009 PINOY EXPATS/OFW BLOG AWARDS. If you are a Filipino or by any affinity to a Pinoy, living or working abroad, then you are qualify to join and share your blogs to the Filipino communities around the world. Indeed, you are the “hope of the Philippine nation and special gift to the world”!

If you want to cast your vote, click the PEBA image at the left or at the top of this post, and if you find this blog interesting, then dont hesitate to vote #25 on the list of nominees! Thank you…Mabuhay!

~ by reymos on July 29, 2009.