DOH Launches RN HEALS Program

The Department of Health (DoH), in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), is looking to hire 10,000 registered nurses for its "Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service" Program.

Dubbed "RN HEALS", the initiative seeks to make essential health services available to all Filipinos by training and deploying 10,000 unemployed nurses in communities to be identified by the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD),” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

Selected nurses will undergo learning and development in accordance with the roles and functions required by the project. A certificate of competency and employment will be given by the DOH, DSWD, and the Professional Regulation Commission to those who have satisfactorily completed their requirements.

Nurses will be given a monthly allowance of P8,000 by the DOH. While serving the community, the nurses will be under the supervision of the local government unit (LGU) where they are assigned. The LGU shall also ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging. Likewise, LGUs are encouraged to provide additional allowances and benefits worth at least P2,000 for these nurses.

PhilHealth and the Government Service Insurance System will provide group insurance to the nurses while private corporations are encouraged to chip in through their available resources.

The recruitment and selection of these nurses shall be under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Regional Offices.

Interested nurses who are physically and mentally fit, and willing to serve in their municipalities may apply online at the DOLE website (www.dole.gov.ph) from January 17 to February 4 this year. Preference will be given to residents of the municipalities covered by the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of DOH and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the Conditional Cash Transfer of the DSWD. 

The list of successful applicants with their area of assignments shall be posted online at the DOLE website from February 7-10. An orientation shall be held on February 11-12 in their provincial centers of assignment by the regional DOH, DSWD, Professional Regulation Commission – Board of Nursing and the Philippine Nurses Association prior to deployment.

Japanese Nurse Licensure Examination to be Administered in English

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced yesterday that Japan will be translating its licensure examination for nurses to English in an effort to facilitate the entry of foreign nurses to its healthcare workforce.

Pinoy R.N. reported back in November the difficulty faced by Filipino nurses in passing the Japanese nurse licensure examination which was given entirely in Niponggo.

Last year, only one Filipino examinee passed the exam which is administered every February.

RELATED ADVISORY

POEA Advisory for Nurses - www.PinoyRN.co.nr

Ways to Jumpstart Your Nursing Career

So you finished nursing school and passed the nursing board exams with flying colors. You certainly want to land a nursing job that's financially-rewarding as it is fulfilling. But you don't know where to begin.

True enough, having a rewarding nursing career doesn't automatically happen after obtaining a nursing degree and passing the boards. There are those who have worked as a nurse for years and still don't find their chosen career the least bit fulfilling.

The nursing profession may be one of the most stressful careers but it can be rewarding and fulfilling if you are able to make wise career choices. As an entry-level nurse, you have to jumpstart your nursing career, learn in-demand skill sets, get noticed, and make things happen for you so that you can grab the most rewarding nursing career opportunities. Here then are some tips on how you can jumpstart your nursing career.

• Research. Read on different nursing specialties so you will have an idea what specific area you want to practice eventually. Do you think you'll make it good as an OR nurse someday? Have you heard that travel nursing is fun and financially rewarding? Then research and ask around about these areas so you'll have a general feel if you've found a potential niche in the nursing profession.

• Learn, learn, and learn. If you want to be on top of the nursing career ladder someday, then you must get ahead by learning more by obtaining nursing certifications. You can also attend workshops or obtain an advanced nursing degree.

• Accept challenges. Whether you want an in-demand nursing job, or a raise or a promotion later in your career, remember that those who advance in any career are the ones who possess leadership skills and initiative. So if you want better career opportunities, accept challenges by volunteering for tasks or projects even if it may mean extra work for you.

• Build relationships. As nurses, we always collaborate with our colleagues and other medical professionals. Maintain a good relationship with your superiors and peers. It is also wise to choose a mentor within your nursing unit and learn from that colleague. 

• Use technology to your best advantage. If you want to be a globally competitive nurse, then you should be tech-savvy. Remember that technology has dramatically altered the ways in which we manage nursing problems and issues. In fact, technology has provided the solutions that enable us to enhance the practice of nursing. There's a wealth of information available on how you can become tech-savvy and you can start by learning or two about podcasts and mobile applications specifically made for nurses and other medical professionals.

Having that nursing career of your dreams will not happen overnight but if you're able to jumpstart your nursing career early and obtain the necessary skills set and have the right attitude, the climb up the nursing career ladder will be easier. And who knows, you might just be recognized as one of the trailblazers in the nursing profession someday.

Language Barrier Makes Entry of Filipino Nurses to Japan Difficult

Learning an entirely new language in six months continues to be the biggest hurdle  for Filipino Nurses seeking to enter the Japanese healthcare workforce with only one Filipino nurse passing the Japanese nurse licensure examination since the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement was signed between the two countries.

The Japanese nurse licensure examination is given entirely in Nihongo.

As such, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the  Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are set to hold a series of meeting to discuss ways to help foreign nurses, especially Filipinos, pass the Japanese nursing licensure examination.

Under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, Filipino nurses are given three chances to take and pass Japan’s nurse licensure examination.

Japan is currently looking to hire foreign nurses to tend to its aging population. It is also facing a looming nursing shortage.

Salary Standardization Law Passed Lowering Gov't Nurses Pay to Salary Grade 11

The congress, last week, approved a new law lowering the mandated salary of goverment nurses to Salary Grade 11 from Salary Grade 15 as originally stipulated in the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (R.A. 9173).

This means that the prescribed salary of nurses working in the public sector will be standardized at Php12,000 per month with increases worth Php6,000 spread over a four-year period. The new Salary Standadization Law effectively amends the salary provision in R.A. 9173 providing for a Php25,000 starting monthly salary for government nurses.

The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), through PNA National President Teresita Irigo-Barcelo, issued a statement decrying the new law. It said that the Salary Standadization Law denies filipino registered nurses of their right to humane salaries elaborating that in the last seven (7) years, the government has deprived government nurses of their right to Salary Grade 15 as mandated in the Nursing Law (Republic Act 9173).

The PNA president also warned that this move would result to more nurses seeking employment abroad.

House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles said the new pay rate will be implemented in July.

Related Link

• Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (R.A. 9173)

Bill Prohibiting Hospitals from Collecting Training Fees from Nurses Introduced

A bill has been filed in the lower house of congress seeking to prohibit the collection of fees by hospitals from nurses who apply for training or volunteer work in their institutions.

House Bill 5985, introduced by Laguna 4th District Representative Edgar San Luis, also proposes a penalty of imprisonment of not more than one year and a fine of not more than P100,000 to those found guilty of exploiting nurse trainees/volunteers.

The proposed legislation further mandates hospitals to pay nurse trainees monthly salaries for services already rendered. Any fees previously collected must also be refunded, in full, to the nurse with 6% annual interest.

In a statement published at the House of Representatives' website, Rep. Edgar San Luis said, "No matter how the hospital administrators call the pernicious practice—training, skills building, volunteer work or whatever—what they are doing is plain and simple exploitation."

Dr. Lea Paquiz, in her capacity as Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) President, revealed last year that several government and private hospitals have been exploiting nurses by not filling in vacant positions instead hiring unpaid nursing trainees/volunteers while charging them so-called training fees.

Related Article:
PNA Slams Hospitals for Requiring Nurses to Pay Training Fees