People ask me... "Why Nursing???"

Before anything else, I would like to tell you that our country's situation isn't getting any better. Do you know that the Philippines was once the number 1 exporter of RICE, CORN, MANGO? Because of the corruption and "Garapalan" in the government's system, Vietnam has already over taken us in terms of its supply of goods. Now, the only remaining asset of the Philippines in terms of export is banana and it is also starting to slip away. Many years from now, the only remaining asset the Philippines can export is LABOR. tsk tsk..

Have you ever been to a government hospital? If not, I dare you to go even just for a minute or so. And believe me, its HELL!!! Its the most cruel and sickest thing you will ever see in your entire life. The moment you step inside the hospital, you will see people who are in need of BIG BIG help. You would want to help this poor people but there's really nothing you can do. You just can't even imagine how awful and cruel the government can be. Your gonna see very sick people on the side of the galley or hallway because there's no more room for them. There is shortage of doctors, nurses and medical supply. Because of this, some doctors operate their patients even without anesthesia. The government should put their attention to these people because these people NEED their HELP!!! Instead, funds coming from our taxes all end up in their greedy pockets.

Let me tell you the reality of employment here in the Philippines... More than half of the Filipinos today are UNDER PAID. Teachers, Nurses, Managers, sales clerks, etc... are not an exemption. You can even bet that many students end up in call centers after graduation. Why? because it pays a respectable amount of money even if your only starting to work for them. I heard that on your first month, you can recieve as much as 15K pesos. But what is 15K pesos now adays? You still have to spend for food, transportation, residence, electricity, water, and all other expenses you could only imagine. You would even end up having "utang" and loans because of the rapid increase of inflation in the country (most reffering to oil price hikes and others).

Also, there are no health benefeits here in the Philippines! People dont get their retired payments from employers. If ever there is, it won't be enough to last even for a month!

This is why students such as I are studying Nursing to work abroad. I bet 99% of students taking up nursing has that same intention. Well you can't really blame us... All we want is to earn properly in return for our hard work. Unlike here in the Philippines, where you work hard but still earn very little.

Don't give me the wrong impression that I hate the Philippines because I dont. Well in fact, I LOVE my country. That is why I want to work abroad and spend my money here in the Philippines.

I studied nursing not only because of Philippine Crisis, but also for my family. For I consider myself as an investment to my parents. Why? because I will be the one taking care of them when they grow old. I have also plans on persuing a career in medicine. If I do, then Nursing would be a great step for me. As what my clinical instructors told me, being a nurse is infinite or forever. Because what you learn in nursing, can be applied through your whole life...

I believe that the power of change is in the hands of every individual and it has to start within thy self. Not later, not tomorrow, but today. I will be making a change for humanity by being a competent nurse giving the best service/care to the people and humanity...