On Wednesday, October 4, the RLE Groups 1 and 2 of the UST College of Nursing Batch 2025 spearheaded a continuing professional development program entitled “Commit to Care: Enhancing Commitment to the Nursing Profession Across Generations Towards A Sustainable Nursing Workforce.” The event was held at the Albertus Magnus Building Auditorium from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM alongside invited guest speakers—Ms. Katherine B. Arabia, MA, and Assoc. Prof. Mila Delia M. Llanes, PhD, RN. Through their talks, they shared their expertise and experiences, deepening the fourth-year students’ vision and widening their horizon in creating their own career pathway and discovering their purpose for pursuing the profession as future licensed nurses. For decades, nursing schools in the Philippines have graduated countless registered nurses, but only a few remain in the country, while many seek better opportunities abroad. Thus, the program strived to invigorate the passion of the participants to fuel their fire of commitment, competence, and compassion as the young nurses of today. Likewise, it will serve as a reminder for them to serve their fellow countrymen and come together to enhance the practice of the nursing profession for the betterment of Filipino nurses globally.
Photo by: Mark Jonel Abad
The program opened with College of Nursing Dean, Rowena L. Escolar-Chua, PhD, asking the Level 4 attendees the most asked question that any graduating nursing student faces: who will stay in the Philippines to practice nursing? It is no secret that most fresh Filipino nursing graduates and board passers would seek their bread and butter abroad, where more opportunities for employment lie and benefits for a better future are set. However, the reality of our country persists that although there is indeed the demand for nurses across the country, the financial benefits here cannot contend with that of overseas.
The dean’s opening remarks were followed by the talk of Ms. Arabia, a speaker from the Hospital Human Relations Department. Her talk revolved around the value of contribution to nation-building by answering the call of caring and service towards our countrymen. She raises that prior to entertaining thoughts of overseas employment, Filipino nurses should consider serving and giving back to the country, even for just a few years. Subsequently, Dr. Llanes’ talk zeroed in on her pivotal experiences that propelled her to love nursing all the more. She shared awe-inspiring stories of her career, which began from the ground up, and highlighted the significance of maintaining integrity and honesty when facing dilemmas. Thus, she emphasized on enriching and nurturing each of our moral compass to guide and direct our actions not just for the safety and betterment of our patients but as well as our profession’s identity and reputation.
Furthermore, a conversation on unifying the perspectives on workplace ethics and expectations between generations of Filipino nurses was put to center stage during the round table discussion with Gen Z representatives Ms. Alexis Sandra E. Mangaoang & FJ Rio Rey D. Bantugan from 4NUR-4 & 4NUR-1 respectively, alongside their host Ms. Maria Allyssa M. Causapin from 4NUR-2. The common theme throughout the roundtable discussion surrounded that of the contrary views or approaches and generational gaps between the boomer nurses and the Gen Z nurses. Despite the presence of such differences, Dr. Llanes states that “Labels do not define a generation.” To bridge the generational gaps, we must defy these labels and re-create them to start anew and see eye-to-eye. Subsequently, through the collaborative effort of the different generations, there would be a creation of new ideas and fill in the bigger picture of enhancing the nursing profession as a collective responsibility bolstered by our individual passion.
The round table discussion also highlighted the illuminated—bright future of nursing through the exemplary performance of Filipino nurses. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted all of our lives, it also posed a threat to the performance and resiliency of the student nurses who were subjected to online classes and simulations due to pandemic restrictions. Subsequently, once they practiced as professional registered nurses, there were gaps in their clinical skills and ability to withstand the stresses over their own mistakes. This may result in them feeling inadequate and refusing to continue with their journey as nurses. Ms. Arabia shared that this situation required more in-service training to mitigate these occurrences. Thus, resiliency was emphasized that not only can nurses thrive through the use of competence, commitment, and compassion alone, but persistence is needed to continue amidst the harshness and difficulty that come with the delicateness and beauty of nursing.
To summarize the key points of the program, ponder on the words of Dr. Llanes“…(love for nursing) it’s just waiting to be awakened, it’s just waiting to be strengthened…” Only in our love for our profession can we make waves and change the tides. Through this, may we think profoundly, see clearly, hear precisely, speak truthfully, and act righteously. Nursing itself is the blazing lamp that illuminates our minds and hearts to know what we embody, to solidify why we exist, and to seek how we can be of service to others.
Comments