Saturday, September 22, 2012

Life after Nursing Licensure Examination

It's been four years after I took the Nursing Licensure Exam. I began to ask myself where am I now?

Being a nurse in the Philippines is somewhat challenging. Aside from thousands of graduating nurses every year, competing with experience, intelligence and surviving the unending requirements from the agency are just some of the stressors of a newly graduate nurse.

 Do we really have to plan what to do next after the licensure exam? I didn't have much plans before. Ending in a stable job was my goal but I really have never known how to start this career.

It took me a year to volunteer in the different hospitals in our town, both public and private. I also worked as an on-call clinic nurse and a private duty nurse. I'm glad I worked with good and and highly skilled nurses. With them I was able to enjoy those unpaid services I've made. In return, learning by experiencing theories with the real patients was the real catch.

Thanks to the unending love and support from my mom. I was able to pay my lunch, pay my fare,  uniforms, and too many to mention (not to mention the registration fee for the volunteering).

Luckily, Jordan Hospital and Medical Center hired Filipino nurses and I was one of them who landed the job. Three years contract! But I still took it. The job is located in the Middle East but  I still said yes. I'll be away from my family but still accepted the job.

Till now, I never had a vacation in my country. I have to pay my plane tickets on my own if ever I want to, which would be equivalent to 4-5 months salary. Okay let's stop to that. No more complaining. Ten months more then I'll be home sweet home.

So here I am in my first paid job. I really never expected to be like this. Sabi nga, walang trabahong madali, ganito pala ang maghanap-buhay. Smile, another complaining.

 Anyway, I love nursing. For now, I'm too young to quit. I'm so energized  to lose hope. I'm hungry for new learning (sad to say, I did not attend the free ACLS lecture today). My skills are sayang if I will quit (naman!). My pledge (oath) as a professional nurse has to remain as a pledge at least 7 times I will renew my license.

Suzzane Gordon states “Nursing is a package of medical, technical, caring, nursing know-how — that nurses save lives, prevent suffering, and save money.”

save lives, prevent suffering, and save money

Save money! Oh, yes! Nurses must know a lot of remedies while the medication is not at hand, before a diagnosis and treatment of an ill should be made. Understanding what the environment can offer to decrease high body temperature. Instructing patients that handwashing should be a habit. Some fruits and vegetables which are high in vitamin C must be eaten. These are just examples of saving money for the patients or patients to-be.

Life after the NLE is to become a nurse. However, I'm not saying it's a must. A lot of Filipino professional nurses ended up as a rich call-center agent, excellent richer ELS teachers and some richest networking marketers. These were their choice but ended happy and contented. For the surviving nurses on the nursing field, just keep competing!

Be motivated! There is so much ahead of us. Breathe. Attend to your needs. Eat for atleast 20 minutes. Empty your bladder atleast 2 times your shift! Imagine a nursing job that pays you satisfaction.

Be educated! Don't stop learning. Attend seminars. Read books. Watch related videos about a skill. Ask your seniors about updates. Read new branded medications. Sacrifice atleast 10 minutes for research.

Be inspired! think about your family. Connect with them when you are away.Think of the places you want to travel. Read hirings  for nurses which is suitable for your needs. Connect with people who are humble and  generous of their time to teach you new things.

Learn to do new other things besides nursing the sick. Plan for small business. Save money for adventures. Earn for your future family. Invest. Think wide. Plan for an early retirement.

Build a positive attitude! Cleaning the poop is not the only thing we can offer. There's more. Let us smile and be fruit full of our work. Refrain from complaining even if you want to tell the patient,  "it's already end of my shift, let the next shift nurse help you about it(I've tried that and it didn't feel good at all)".

These are just some of the things we should focus on. Love our selves as we love our work. The patients gave us our job. Yes, I have to remind myself all of these things. let us motivate each other.

Attention nurses, take full advantage of whatever opportunity has to offer.

If you want to know what I do besides nursing, please check more About Me

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