Several myths has been circulating around that donating blood can make you

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weak, feel low, painful procedure, feels nausea and vomiting and so forth. Well, none of these are true that is why there are called MYTHS- fallacy, delusion, superstition and apologue. What is the truth behind blood donation?

According to Philippine Red Cross, Community Health and Nursing Services should strengthen in dealing with blood donation. Nurses should be the primary advocators in mounting and empowering in giving blood to those in need.

We all know Filipinos easily believe things – that could be factual or hearsay. But we should refine that kind of mentality. Now, nurses specifically those Community Health Nurses will be the one to educate each Filipinos about blood donation.

A girl asks me if she is going to donate her blood, will she feel low after. I immediately answer, “NO!” The thread of truth is that our body replenish body fluids and within three months of regeneration of red blood cells to donate more blood.

See? Hearsay doesn’t help either way around.

Here are more facts about blood donating.

1. 1.      You can donate blood frequently.
2. 2.      Your body’s immune system will not be affected.
3. 3.      It will not fluctuate your blood pressure and sugar level. (exception to the fact: hypertensive and diabetic patients)
4. 4.      It will just take 30 minutes.
5. 5.      Only 18-60 years old can donate blood.
6. 6.      Regular donation does not affect one’s body weight.

Community Health Nurses has the burden to emphasize the reality of blood donation especially in the vulnerable communities. For nurses to become better and more efficient, they can volunteer in the Philippine Red Cross. They have a program to teach and improve community health nurses. They offer trainings to equip knowledge and skills among qualified trainees and volunteers to provide quality health care.

That is why, this a good battle for nurses who can really help people not only to educate them but also they can help in saving thousand of Filipino lives. Nowadays, many children and adults in the hospital are in need for blood. Lots of them are dying because they cannot find the same blood type. We have to help one another.

The PRC always accepts blood donation. Just inquire the nearest Philippine Red Cross Service or you can email them at prc@redcross.org.ph.

We have received a gift and we will keep giving back because the need is great and the supply is not.

One of the branches of medicine and nursing which Filipino nurses let slip from

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their memories is Geriatric nursing. Nurses look into more in finding nine-to-five in hospitals, clinics, schools and companies. We should try to give again retrospection to this kind of angelic and virtuous profession. We have to uphold again that Geriatric nursing is a noble and very meritorious job.

Geriatric nursing focuses on aging and elderly patients who stand in need for different types of care. It deals with clinical, preventive, rehabilitative and social aspects of health and illness in the elderly.

In the Philippines, nurses care elderly patients who are mostly above 70 years old with some acute and chronic diseases. Our elderly patients usually suffer from dementia, osteoporosis, falls and fractures, malnutrition, depression and even urinary problems. Therefore, nurses need to assist them for their daily activities.

In working with an older patient, a geriatric nurse will assess the patient’s mental status and cognitive (thinking) skills, understand patient’s acute and chronic health issues, discuss common health concerns, such as falls, incontinence, changing sleep patterns and sexual issues, organize medications, educate the patient about personal safety and disease prevention, explain and recommend adjustments to the patient’s medication regimen to ensure adherence and link the patient with local resources as needed. But the paramount of being a geriatric nurse is to give emotional support and companionship to restore and maintain their wellbeing. It is an elbow grease of every individual to render love as what they receive by their respective families.

Many long term health care facilities are looking for nurses who are dedicated and determined to render their service for elders. These facilities are mainly located in the cities and it is founded with kind-hearted sponsors.

There is also home base care which carries a good salary since most of these families are rich. It depends on the contract if they wanted you to have an 8 hour shift of working.

Gerontology Nurses Association of the Philippines (GNAP) is a Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine (PSGM)-accredited organization for nurses with special interest in gerontology. It conducts geriatric institutions visitation and has a mission to empower the dignity of an elderly. This organization is recognized by the Philippine Nurses Association. Being a member of this organization, a nurse can be more knowledgeable and able to excel in this kind of specialty.

Geriatric nurse careers have a very promising outlook. Get started now.

Remember, “No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge

 These days, so many nurses are frustrated to get a job. If not accepted, institutions or hospitals are not hiring nurses as well. Believe it or not, there are many nurses now are working and serving their care through call centers.  Come to think of it, you study four years of sleepless nights just to pass the board exam and get your license yet you did not practice what you have learned. Hence, if you are just positive and good in looking for a nursing job then you are lucky.

Below are the lists of jobs. You should check-out them now; you know that competition is very high.

1. 1.      COMPANY NURSE (CALAMBA. LAGUNA)

He/she functions as an intermediary between company and Value Care Health Systems Inc.

Qualifications: – Registered Nurse

-          21-25 years old

-          With above average communication skills

-          Computer literate

-          Willing to do other related tasks as needed

You can call 702-33-94 or email rhea.samusvaluecare.com.ph

1. 2.      RENAL DIALYSIS NURSE (SAUDI ARABIA)

For a medical supply and equipment company in KSA-Renal dialysis nurse

With an 8 year experienced

SOURCE: http://blastmycv.com/middle-east/jobs/renal-dialysys-nurse//KSA/Saudi-Arabia/OTA5?utm_source=careerjet

1. 3.      SCHOOL NURSE (CAINTA, RIZAL)

ICCT Colleges Foundation, Inc., a premier tertiary Institution in Rizal province is looking for a School Nurse for Sumulong campus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

-  with relevant working experience but fresh graduates are welcome to apply

- graduate of BS Nursing ; with licensed

- Female only and preferably residing in Rizal province or nearby cities

- willing for the position as 5-months contractual only

4.   TELE-NURSE (Bocaue, Bulacan)

A company engaged in Sales, retailing and merchandising

QUALIFICATIONS:

Female

25-30 years old

Bachelor of  Science in Nursing

Must be a registered nurse

Preferably with S.S.S., Philhealth, T.I.N. ang PAG-IBIG membership/registration

Minimum of 1 year clinical/ hospital experience

1. 5.      SCHOOL NURSE (Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu)

PAREF SOUTHCREST SCHOOL is an exclusive all-girls school forming part of the Parents for Education Foundation (PAREF) whose aim is to provide a balanced education by combining high academic standards with a special emphasis on the integration of academic and personal development of students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

-Female
-At least one year experience
- Willing to teach healthcare

Bring your resume, Transcript of Records and other credentials at:

PAREF Southcrest School Inc.
Governor Cuenco St., Banilad Road
Cebu City, Cebu
6000 Philippines

You may address your documents to the Executive Director. For inquiries, you may call telephone numbers 344-50-42 to 44.

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We cannot deny that most of the Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE) takers last December 2011 have heightened anxiety level at this point. Few more days and the much awaited list of new registered nurses will be released. Out of curiosity, I interviewed Ms.   Rachel Yvonne Ocampo Cabacungan, one of the nursing board exam takers, about how she faced the challenging test which most of you could relate to.  So here it goes.

1) How did you prepare for the NLE Board Exam 2011?

Well, I enrolled in a Review Center (Mind’s Nest). I made sure I attend the class everyday, it kind’a helps build up confidence as the exam was fast approaching in a few months. Of course, Study. I’m not really the type of student who review notes, but at that moment, I realized the importance of reading.

2) Were you confident in taking the test? 

I can’t say I was really confident, but I made sure i wasn’t too anxious. As I approached my testing center, it felt like it was just a normal day as I was walking towards my school. But when I received my answer sheets, I was shaking but i managed it. Although, I really can’t remember if I shaded the Set in NP2

3) Were there instances that you felt something could intervene from passing it? Like any glitches while taking it?

Aside from forgetting the part if I shaded the set in NP2 or not . When I was in the middle of the NP3 exam, my hands started to sweat. so i stopped shading and just read the questions again for like, ahm 10 minutes. Oh! and Right at NP5, I finished the exam 1 hour before the exam ends, and I think I didn’t use my time wisely foe that matter. (sigh)

4) Which part of the examination you consider difficult?

I consider NP5 most difficult, i really asked myself ” Asa man gikan ni nga mga question?” A lot of different review centers said that NP5 was the easiest for them. but for me, Ugh! I don’t even wanna think about it.

5) Were there questions which you never encountered during your review days?

Some of the questions were somewhat similar to those I encountered in the review center. Some were, I don’t know – bizarre?

6) Were the questions relevant to our profession?

 Right now, I couldn’t really remember much of the questions back there. But yes, as Nurses are flexible, or should be as they say. It was relevant I guess.

7) Do you believe that the examination gauged your knowledge in nursing?

In the Review Center, we learned things of what we should do in the actual setting, a review instructor said that the NLE was a measurement if we were ready to work, and not if how smart we are. Did I even answer that question?

8)What did you do right after the test?

Right after the test? Doing something at the end each Nursing Practice gives me the Humor – Superstitions – I was kicking my chair right after I stand and about to submit my questionnaire and answer sheet. I could sometimes find the next student sitting behind me freaked out. (might be scared na “matamaan siya ng upuan sa lakas ng pagkakasipa ko”)

9) What are your activities while waiting for the examination result?

I went home eventually in our neighborhood even if I didn’t really felt like doing so. I tried to submit applications online and received some calls but then my mom wouldn’t allow me to go elsewhere – gusto niyang mag yaya ako sa mga pinsan ko. My mom loves to dictate things I should or should not do – or else I’ll find my clothes/things outside our balcony Till this day, I’m still a big Nanny.. ugh.. so boring and sedentary…

10) What are your plans after passing the test?

After the results come out, I don’t know really. Maybe it depends. If I pass, my mom would decide; If I don’t I will find a job of course. But If I get to choose, I want to work to accommodate myself for the training required. My mom really don’t get the idea why I have to undergo such, for her passing was already enough to have a job.

Thank You 

Out of the 78,135 who took the exam July 2 and 3 of this year, only 37,513 have been fortunate to pass.The list that follows shows the name of those who were lucky enough to withstand the pressure of the examination and came out victorious in their feat to get the much coveted professional license for nurses.

The latest Nursing Board Exam December 2011 was held in the major cities and provinces of the country, namely Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro,Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.

We will post below the Official Result of the December 2011 Nursing Licensure Exam right after PRC releases the result.

July 2011 Nursing Board Exam Topnotchers

| Letter A-D | Letter E-G | Letter H-M | Letter N-R | Letter S-T | Letter U-Z |

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It’s been 2 months now after the Nursing Board Examination transpired.

Nursing Board Exam Takers usually waits 3 to 4 months before the result of the Nursing Licensure Examination is released. Each day in those months is definitely an agony. We think about it upon waking up. We think about it upon eating. We correlate the things we encounter to it. We think about it before going to sleep, and much worse we dream about it even while sleeping.  You can specifically (on details) picture in your mind the whole board exam scenario- how you went to the venue, how you shaded the circles, how you jot down your name and code, and how you answered each puzzling undifferentiated un-answerable questions. Any tiny glitch you may have committed would repeatedly hunt you in your dreams.

Unlike the other examinations we have encountered and will encounter in our lives, the Nursing board exam is the most crucial. It is like claiming or losing your dignity and pride in the societal realm. All your family and friends are anxiously waiting if your name will be listed in the “holy list of passers” which if not, a “label” could be tagged unto you- the second taker. Days seem exhausting and you can’t help yourself but to check posts and news everyday if what you have been waiting for is up. It is truly one of the unstable states you will encounter in your life, but worry less since this is a common feeling to all of your peers who also took the board exam. Anxiety won’t get you anywhere and will just burden you with negative feelings you do not need. So it is how you handle the 3 months waiting period that will make your life different from the other waiters. What is then the right attitude in the midst of this situation?

1)      Offer your anxiety to God, so worry less. This may sound cliché but committing your worries to God is the first thing you should remember. You have already done your part in preparing for the exam and have given your best shot to those creepy questions. Now, let God intervene and do His part. We may have done our best but glitches still happen along the way thus let God take those glitches away.  He is in-charge now. So pray and thank Him that you were able to survive the test.

2)      Preoccupy yourself. Instead of bugging yourself with negative thoughts of what if’s, preoccupy your mind with positive thoughts and divertional activities. You join organizations that feed your interests. Join photography groups, modeling flock, prayer groups, travel groups who can help you divert your thoughts for a while. You do not only help yourself deplete anxiety, you will also gain friends.

3)      Be smart and practical. You may not have noticed, but weeks from now you’ll be part of the NURSES’ WORLD (Law of Attraction). Then why not prepare yourself for that next chapter? You can actually start to attend trainings and seminars that can enhance your nursing skills. Since this field has stiffer competition then start to equip yourself with what is needed instead of wallowing. Take these 3 months of waiting and bombard it with beneficial activities which help you outstand from your pack.

4)      Prepare and Job Hunt. Start formulating your impressive resume and begin contacting people who can help you with it. This strategy will keep you ahead of your pack since by the time they are just beginning their quests; you already are battle-ready.

5)      Interact to positive thinkers. We do not need depressed people surrounding you at this point of time. Be with mentors and people who can help you remain positive. Nourish yourself with positive thoughts and hope for the goal you want. You can also ask your mentors to help you plan your career. In this world, confusion is common especially if you have a weak sense of direction. So let the people you look up to, renowned or successful nurses if possible, to help you grow in this field appropriately. Plan your career right now.

You will soon be part of our world, so start feeling this moment from now and act like one. This is a stiff world that you’ll enter thus be ready for what you will be up to. It is never wrong to HOPE.

The Nursing Board Exam is a tough challenge in every nursing student. It boils

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down to think if you can be truly a licensed nurse or not. The date of nursing examination this year will be on the last day of the month of June (30^th) and 1^st day of July. Many nursing students who wants to become a nurse this year are already preparing and taking time management on reviewing Community Health Nursing, Psychology, Medical and Surgical Nursing, Care of the Mother and Child, Physiologic and Psychosocial Alterations and Foundation of Professional Nursing Practice. Well, there is still 5 months to go before entering the legwork but the question is, are you ready?

Taking the exam may be stressful, but with avalanche of preparation, you can find yourself passing with greater ease and tranquility.

1. Start on reading important nursing books. You can also rely on some transcripts which can help in memorization. Take plenty of notes.
2. You can use Internet for sources or CD’s by Lipincott.
3. Purchase CD’s that offer nursing questions. I tell you, it helps a lot.
4. Make flash cards with questions so that you can also practise your time in answering each question.
5. Do make mnemonics especially in memorizing medications/drugs.
6. Form a study group.
7. Take time to sleep also. Too much studying is not good. Our brain needs rest after all.
8. Eat healthy food. An expert advises to eat a bowl of porridge which will maintain sugar level at a steady rate. He suggests to drink fresh orange juice and a handful of nuts.
9. Time Management

9.1  Do not waste time. Prevent unnecessary activities like drinking with friend until 5 in the morning. This kind of activity will not help and lead to procrastinate.

9.2   Set your goal. Stick to your plan and program in studying.

9.3  Prioritize what to do. Always think that there are must-to-do things and urgent to be done first. How about dating? Read again 9.2

9.4  Organize. You have to know that your books and stuffs can be easily found. This will also lessen the burden.

1. Read for you to understand not just to finish the book. We tend not to grasp the detail of what we are reading since we just want to get out of the book we are reading. That is a big NO NO.
2. Highlight those phrases which are important. For example: Therapeutic range for lithium has been established at 0.6 – 1.2 mmol/L

 But the best thing you should do is to PRAY.

GOODLUCK FOR 2012 NURSING BOARD EXAMINEES.

It is no doubt that nurses are bombarded with life preoccupations. We have

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erratic schedules which are regularly irregular. Weekdays and weekends tend to shuffle like we do not hold a good grasp of what lies ahead since this relies most on the pens of our head nurses. We work on holidays while at times we have breaks while the others are working. We are holistically drained and allot our breathers just to recuperate. We are nurses and this life is something we need to deal with. That is why having a romantic relationship in this topsy-turvy scenario is a challenge to each one of us.

Relationship for nurses is a huge addendum that needs a little time-squeezing just to make it work. Of course, no one wants to end up to be that guy who kept on changing facebook status from single to in a relationship to open relationship to it’s complicated. Much worse, we do not want to be that girl who changed married to single. Like any human being (since we still consider ourselves as such), we want our relationships healthy despite the inevitable pressure we inherit from our work. We want to be with someone who can revitalize us from tiresomeness.

I am currently in a relationship with someone who also wears white uniform-yup, a nurse. Unlike me though, he is already working now as a staff nurse of Ministry of Health Kuwait. I checked it in google lately and realized that we are 4,853 miles away with 5 hours time difference. The situation may seem complicated but I am happy that we still managed to work things out.

He was my friend, turned travel buddy turned partner, and since we share the same interests such as photography, traveling, computer games, bullying people and “nursing” then compatibility escalated. He has been away for months now and still adjusting to the new environment he’s in while I am staying here in our homeland waiting for my moment too. The unstable situation forced us to double our effort in trusting each other, maintaining communication and understanding the shakiness of each other knowing that a lot of factors could affect our emotions. There were moments wherein you have to milk your patience because it is what is needed by the situation. The hurdles in nursing also gave an impact. His work schedule plus my work schedule should at least coincide just to have time for each other. We were taught to bend ourselves further just to accommodate the need of each other. And of course, since nursing does not give you milk and honey ASAP, we learned the essence of supporting each other- physically, emotionally, even spiritually.

There was a time wherein I was still preparing for my examination and interview for Kuwait while he was also working on his papers to be registered in MOH in Kuwait. We spoke 6-10 minutes through international calls in just a day but still I was able to receive my needed emotional support that could motivate me in my upcoming tests. He was adjusting in the new place but at least he can speak to someone he was familiar with or share the great new experiences he was undergoing. That constant communication and trust kept us moving forward. It may seem impossible for others but I’m glad it worked for us. For months now, we still make love happen, and I am glad that though it is difficult, it is possible.

Our profession is a huge challenge to us; not just on our romantic relationship but maybe to our family, friends, community, God or self. It tends to take away time and it needs superb time management skills and steadfast self-concept. This is a common story to us nurses. But I guess, our profession also taught us how to deal with these challenges. Nursing taught us to be tolerating, understanding and versatile which are necessities in order to make love happen.

To the person who remained by my side despite the distance and complications… Thanks for everything you have done for our relationship. Taking things one day at a time is a wonderful leap we have been doing. I know you know that you make me happy every day. I am proud of you and you inspire me in many ways especially how to become strong. I will not stop loving you. God Bless us always and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Daddy Ryan!:)

By: Elaine T. Medillo, RN

           As a nurse, we envision ourselves to be part of some recognized and respectable nursing career organizations. Being part of it is a great bargain not only to our career as a nurse but also to the benefits we can get from it. We sometimes misjudge or take it for granted to be a member since we easily conclude the financial aspect. But heed it up; you haven’t checked yet the entire vision, mission and the purpose of each organization you are supposed to be with.

Let’s make a paradigm of this topic. At this moment, working in the operating room can really wow not only nurses but also ordinary people. Medical operations depend upon the cooperation of a variety of health care professionals before, during and after procedures. Operating room registered nurses, or R.Ns., set out as a part of this team of professionals. Now, if we are already bombarded with knowledge and learning as an operating room nurse, then, it is time to be part of non-stock, non-political, and non-sectarian organization- Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP).

This organization set up way back on 1973 through the leadership of Mrs. Consuelo Gomez-Arabit. Dr. Antonio Oposa, president of the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) and Medical Director of Johnson & Johnson (Phils.), Inc. served as the Godfather of the newly found association. By 1974, ORNAP recognize as a chapter by Philippine Nurses Association. Until now, this long-serving organization keeps on enforcing and conveys seminars and nursing activities nationwide. The purpose of the said organization is to promote the highest professional standard of Perioperative Nursing. In addition to that, they foresee of being competent and dynamic perioperative nurses committed to innovation and provision of optimum perioperative services locally and internationally.

If we talk about the benefits of ORNAP, I can say there is really egg in one’s beer. The following benefits are as follows:

1. Opportunities to attend seminars sponsored by ORNAP.
2. Opportunities to attend the Annual ORNAP Convention.
3. Scholarship, awards, or recognition.
4. Mutual Aide.
5. Quarterly copy of newsletter.
6. Legal assistance.

There are three kinds of membership ONSAP is offering.

A.ORNAP Regular Membership:

1. A registered nurse who currently manages, teaches, or practices perioperative nursing either full-time or part-time.
2. A perioperative nurse enrolled in a formal nursing education or engaged in perioperative research.
3. Regularly pays the annual association dues.

If you are a regular member you have the right to vote and be voted upon, hold an elective office, participate in all activities of the association, examine the books of the association following the set of procedures, the mutual aide fund of Php 1,000.00, and subscription of the ORNAP Newsletter.

ORNAP Associate Membership:

1. A former regular perioperative nurse engaged in formal nursing education, teaching, or engaged in perioperative research.
2. Regularly pays the annual dues.

It has same rights with regular member but cannot hold an office.

ORNAP Life Membership:

Any active perioperative nurse who signifies membership for life and pays the dues in the amount determined by the board and has been a regular member for three consecutive years. You are also entitled to all of the privileges of the regular member and entitled to the Mutual Fund of PhP 5,000.

Remember, having an organization is a great deal in our nursing career.

Many nurses now keep on co

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mplaining about how hard it is to find a job in nursing. But there are some nurses who get a job as a school nurse, company nurse and private nurse while others are still looking for about one year already. In this economy, jobs in all career fields are scarce, but jobs in nursing are more plentiful than on many other career paths.

There is a bottleneck of nurses in the Philippines and they tend to blow hot and cold in finding a job, but take note as the population grows older and people live long enough to encounter more physical ailments- that idea has a great impact of wanting more nurses. Let me enumerate these jobs: positions in geriatric, pediatric, burn care, ambulatory care, emergency rooms, home care, operating room, psychiatric care, nurse telemetry, intensive care, school nursing, recovery room and rehabilitation.

            Before steering down the above-mention positions, we have to make sure that you have good strategies in your job-legwork. Here are 20 tips to help you.

1. Begin your rat race hunt while still employed. You have to star-off your resume and inquire with whoever does the hiring at clinics, hospitals and other medical services where you might consider working.
2. Work on a professional resume. When writing a resume, make sure it is brief and concise. Make at least one page and all of the important information’s are attached.  See: http://www.nursingresume.org/professional-nurse-resume.html
3. Inquire agencies. There are hospitals, clinics and medical centers that have no public advertisement like newspapers or internet. Agencies are of great help since they can make things easier. Let me say: No sweat!
4. Fishing expedition through Internet. Nowadays, we have to be innovative in job hunting, thus internet is a modern tool in looking for a job especially if you want to go abroad. See: http://www.careerjet.ph/nurses-jobs.html (2012 posted)
5. See me at Facebook. We all know that Facebook is a social networking service and website that is use nowadays for selling, business opportunities and other fun site. It makes it easy to keep branching out your contacts further and further. Eventually, it’s likely you’ll find some nurses who can perhaps help you connect with their own employer.
6. Volunteer. Tiring? No, it’s not because being a volunteer brings a lot of experience and some employers would like to hire someone who is very persistent and dedicated. A volunteer is an ultimate ground to know how committed a nurse is.