The Fun of Being a Travel Nurse

Becoming a nurse might have been your dream but does the monotony of working in the same place deter you? Thanks to travel nursing, the element of excitement has now been infused into the dull drudgery of nursing profession. With cross border jobs becoming more popular, you can treat a patient in the Hawaiian Islands at the same time enjoying the mountains of the East Coast.

As a travel nurse, you can experience the fun of daily adventure nursing patients at the same time. Assignments for cross country nurses are arranged by travel agents who chalk out a schedule of at least 8-13 weeks anywhere in the US. Besides, nurses get the opportunity of working with some of the best hospitals and be paid more than the average RN as compensation for random relocation.

The travel nursing industry is growing day by day. The reason for this sudden demand is the increasing number of patients in comparison to that of nurses. Pursuing a career in travel nursing is an altogether novel concept of treatment clubbed with a delightful vacation. However, one must make enough preparation prior to embarking on a new destination as a travel nurse. Ensure that you have all the documents needed to visit a new country- passport, visa, even your resume should be supported with valid references. Carry a photocopy of your passport wherever you go and keep all the documents in the locker. A little research on the new destination is of great help to avoid miscommunication and possibly minimize culture shock. It would be all the more better if an experienced travel nurse suggests you an early move-in. An early move-in allows the new employee to familiarize with the new surroundings before heading for the workplace.

The challenges in a nurse travel career are a bit more than other nursing jobs in the home country. But these challenges are worth undertaking considering its rewards. Improving your skill set, be it your education or experience, is highly essential to pursue a registered nurse career. This profession is really a great combination of care and roam- a job of a lifetime! Read the original article at this blog http://travel.akiranews.com/2009/10/the-fun-of-being-a-travel-nurse/

Tags: Nursing, Travel Nurse,

100 Best Blogs for Nursing Students

No doubt about it, getting through nursing school can be a challenge, especially if you're trying to balance work, school and family life all at once. However, nursing students can find support in their fellow students, graduates of nursing programs and a myriad of professional and medical blogs. Check out this list we've put together of sites that are meant to inspire, motivate and educate nursing students in school and beyond.

General

These blogs can be a great place to look for general news and views on nursing and healthcare professions.

1. Nurse Ratched's Place: Check out this blog for humorous commentary, insights into what makes a good nurse, and tales of the daily trials and tribulations that you might face as you go into the medical field.
2. Health and Nursing Issues Australia: You may not be starting a nursing career in Australia, but that doesn't mean you can't find some relevant and helpful information in this health care blog.
3. ImpactedEDNurse: Ian Miller is a nurse working in an Australian emergency room and his blog offers insights, articles and personal reflections on his experiences.
4. NurseZone: You can start your own blog on this site or read one of the numerous nurse blogs it's home to.
5. HealthcarePOV: Here you'll find blog posts that answer questions, give advice and share opinions about the latest going ons in the nursing field.
6. In Our Own Words: This blog focuses on highlighting nurses who have blogs, discussing issues of technology in healthcare and sharing interesting and important articles for nurses.
7. NurseReview.org: While this site was created with Philippine nurses in mind, it contains information on topics like passing nursing exams that can be helpful for nurses around the world.
8. Ultimate Nurse.com: Ultimate Nurse is home to numerous nursing blogs that can be a great place to find the latest news and views on the nursing community.
9. Nursing Scrubs: You can buy fun and functional new nursing scrubs on this site or check out the blog for updates on news in the nursing world.
10. Evidence Based Nursing: St. Joseph Hospital in California maintains this blog which details the research they're undertaking so you can stay ahead of the curve.
11. NurseConnect: This site features a collection of blogs from nursing professionals that will give you numerous perspectives on what it's really like being a nurse.
12. RNSpeak!: On this site you'll find posts that range from literature reviews to advice for new nursing graduates.
13. Online Nursing: Get the latest updates on news on nursing from this blog.

Student Nurses

Read about the trials and tribulations of your fellow nursing students in these insightful and sometimes humorous blogs.

14. YKYW - Nursing Student Blog: This nursing student blogs about her crazy life as she works her way slowly towards becoming a nurse.
15. Head Nurse: This blog isn't written by a nursing student but offers loads of helpful advice and guidance for those who are in nursing school to make clinicals, exams and everyday life easier.
16. Becoming a Nurse: Check out this blog to read about the story of one woman who decided to change careers from working in IT to working as a nurse.
17. Life of a Male Nursing Student: You male nurses aren't alone out there as this blog of a male nursing student demonstrates. You'll find posts that document his experiences with everything from buying books and paying tuition to preparing for school.
18. RN Someday: Check out this blog to read about the day to day life of a student who has gone back to school to change careers and become an RN.
19. Wounded Healer: This blog is home to yet another nursing student who's making the transition from being a computer geek to working with patients. It includes some humorous and fun posts and vlogs.
20. I Am a Student Nurse Blog: Follow along as this young nursing student goes through year-by-year to get his nursing degree.
21. REBIRTH: Those interested in obstetrics will appreciate this blog. It's written by a woman who works in labor and delivery ward and is currently working towards getting certification in nurse midwifery.
22. N is for... Nurse (someday): Give this blog a read to find interesting and sometimes entertaining stories about this blogger's path to becoming a labor and delivery nurse.
23. Student Nurses' Notes: Check out this site to find interesting articles like "5 Ways to Reduce Nursing Stress" and "Stopping Insomnia".
24. From Cash Flow to Catheters: Healthcare POV hosts this blog by William Keane, a former e-commerce businessman who is working towards becoming an RN.
25. Diary of a Nursing Student: This nursing student posts interesting stories about her nursing school career that are meant to inspire and motivate others in the field.
26. UK Student Nurse: Take a hop across the pond and read about what it's like being a nursing student in the UK in this blog.
27. How I Spent My Nursing Education: Here you'll find random facts, personal commentary and shared experiences about nursing school and life in general.
28. Brain Scramble: As this nursing student nears completion on her degree, read about her experiences good and bad with nursing school.

Practicing Nurses

Get an idea of what being a nurse will really be like in these great blogs.

29. code blog: tales of a nurse: This blog is home to health care stories from the main blogger as well as nurses working all over the nation.
30. about a nurse: Check out this nurse's blog for stories straight from a medical-surgical telemetry unit.
31. PixelRN: Blogger and nurse Beth Anderson discusses issues on what nursing really is and provides some advice and assistance to other nurses who'd like to start blogging.
32. A Place I Call Home: Follow the adventures of a big city nurse who has chosen to work in a small town through the posts in this blog.
33. Chrysalis Angel: Read commentary on modern issues, personal life and nursing on this blog by a former EMT and nurse.
34. Digital Doorway: Keith, a registered nurse in New England, shares his thoughts on nursing, healthcare, chronic illnesses and much more in this blog.
35. It shouldn't happen in health care: Stop by this site for a laugh, as it collects humorous stories from people who work in health care.
36. First Do No Harm: Keep up with this busy nurse and read her sometimes sad sometimes entertaining stories of patient interactions.
37. The Nurse Practitioner's Place: Those thinking of pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner may want to check out this blog for the latest news and information on the field.
38. talking RN: Read about life in the ICU in the posts provided by this blogger, including everything from organ transplants to dealing with case management.
39. nurse at small: A nurse at a large teaching hospital maintains this blog and shares her experiences working with patients that are sometimes challenging but always interesting.
40. Canuck Nurse: This Canadian nurse blogs about everyday life as well as dealing with courses, working and more.
41. Thoughts from the Night Shift: Check out this blog to learn a little bit more about just what it takes to be an ER trauma nurse.

Specialty Fields

If you're thinking of going into a nursing specialty, take a look at one of these blogs to learn the ins and outs of what you'll be doing once you're employed.

42. Emergiblog: Here you can find posts that will expose you to the ups and downs of life as an ER nurse.
43. Crass-Pollination: An ER Blog: This ER nurse loves her job and it shows in the posts about it that are often humorous and upbeat.
44. Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery: Check out this blog for the latest in research and developments in nursing and midwifery.
45. OncRN: Being an oncology nurse is often a difficult job and this blogger shares both the good and the bad in this blog.
46. At Your Cervix: Those who are considering a specialization in labor and delivery can learn more about it from this blog, as well as read personal posts about weight loss and family and see photos.
47. ER RN: Stories in this blog chronicle the funny, scary and hectic stories in the life of one ER nurse.
48. Madness: Tales of an Emergency Room Nurse: If you're looking for a challenging career in nursing, follow in the footsteps of this nurse and blogger who works in an inner city ER.
49. School Nurse Jack: This blogger is both a school nurse and a student so you can get advice and information on her experiences in both things and more.
50. nighttimenursing: Working the night shift isn't for everyone and you can help determine if it's for you with some insight from this blog by a night shift critical care nurse.
51. Rantings of a LTC Nurse: If you think that long term care nursing may be the career for you, give this blog a read for some insider knowledge on the field.
52. Nurse Anesthetist: Check out this blog for the latest news and views on what's going on with nurse anesthesiology.
53. Nurse Sean: This nurse works in the ICU and shares his experiences as well as tips on becoming a better nurse.

Organizations and Associations

These nursing organizations' blogs can be a great place to get information and assistance on a variety of issues.

54. Guaranteed Healthcare Blog: This organization wants to help Americans get guaranteed healthcare. You can read about their mission and news about health care on their blog.
55. The National Nurse: The National Nursing Network Organization handles this blog which can give you the latest updates on what they're up to and how you can get involved in nursing issues.
56. CDNA Blog: This blog is home to the Community District Nursing Association, a nursing organization based out of the UK. You'll find news and updates on their blog.
57. American Psychiatric Nurses Association: While not an official blog from the APNA, this blog can provide you with some news and information that deals with psychiatric nursing.
58. ANA Nurse Space: You'll need a membership with the American Nurses Association to view this blog, but it's chock full of helpful information on the latest in nursing.

College Student

Some of these blogs are geared specifically at nursing students, while others provide help and support for college students in general.

59. Nursing School Blog: You'll find news and information on everything you wanted to know about nursing school on this blog from funding to developments in training.
60. My Nursing Degree: There's a serious shortage of nurses nationwide and you can learn how you can be most effective in your nursing career and find a good nursing school through this blog.
61. Dear Nurses: This blog focuses on providing nurses, students and professionals alike, on ways they can improve their clinical skills, building communication skills and more.
62. What School Doesn't Teach About Being a Nurse Practitioner: Find out what your education may not be telling you about the reality of being a nurse practitioner so you'll know what to expect when you graduate.
63. The Makings of a Nurse: This student nurse took a long and winding path to a career in nursing but shares her thoughts and ideas on managing it all in her blog.
64. I Am a Nursing Student: Want to know what to expect through your journey to become a nurse? This blogger will take you through getting a BSN degree and finally passing the exams to become a nurse.
65. College v2: Stay on the cutting edge of what colleges are up to these days from tips on eBay to whether or not you should take advanced placement courses in high school.
66. The Positivity Blog: Learn to take even the worst days in stride with some helpful articles and advice that this blog provides to readers.
67. Today Is That Day: Look on the bright side with some positive thinking and action advice from this blog.

Medical

Give these blogs a read to find information about what the daily lives of other medical professionals entail and the health care profession in general.

68. Blogborygmi: Share the pain of working to become a health care provider through the blog of this emergency medicine resident.
69. GruntDoc: This emergency care physician in Texas shares his experiences working in the ER and some amusing and interesting commentary on a variety of topics.
70. The Junior Doctor: Check out this blog for the day to day trials of a doctor in training in the UK.
71. PharmaGossip: Learn what's going on in the world of big pharmaceutical companies so you can stay ahead of the curve.
72. Health 2.0: Stay on the cutting edge of medicine and technology with some help from this blog focused on web-based and futuristic health tools for patients and medical professionals.
73. The Health Care Blog: Find the latest news on what's going on in the world of health care at large in this well-written blog.
74. Doctor Anonymous: If you prefer video blogs to the written kind this blog will cater to your needs. You'll find frequent posts that comment on the state of medicine and medical practice. Geared more towards doctors, but nurses can find interesting information as well.
75. Surgeonsblog: This well-written and engaging blog is full of stories from a surgeon's perspective of his career, patients and goings on through the years.
76. NHS Blog Doctor: Check out this blog for information and insight into the triumphs and missteps of the British National Health Service.
77. From Medskool: Medical school isn't meant to be easy, but you can ride along on this blogger's journey through it all on this site.

Travel Nursing

Travel nursing is becoming an increasing popular option for new nursing graduates and seasoned professionals alike. Find out what it's all about in these blogs.

78. Travel Nurse Aim: This mother and nurse enjoys her career as a travel nurse and can provide you with some helpful and positive advice about the field.
79. Travel Nursing Blogs: Check out this site to read dozens of blogs written by nurses currently working in the field.
80. The Travel Nurse: This travel nurse loves her job and shares her experiences traveling and working across the country with her husband.
81. Travel Nursing News Feed: Find out what is going on in the field of travel nursing by giving this blog a read now and then.
82. Have RN, Will Travel: Here you'll find shared experiences, advice, and some humorous commentary on the field of travel nursing.
83. Highway Hypodermics: Find news and information in this blog that can help you make the leap into a travel nursing career.
84. I Love Travel Nursing: Check out this blog for everything you'll need to get started in travel nursing from personal accounts to travel nursing agencies.
85. Ask Conrad: Have a question about travel nursing? Send it in to this site and get your answers posted in this blog.
86. Travel Nurse Source: Here you'll get advice and information on everything from tax break associated with travel nursing to commentary on the nurse shortage.
87. Try Travel Nursing: This blog is intended to give you some advice on travel nursing. It can also be a good source of information on choosing a specialty within the nursing field.

Jobs

Give yourself a leg up in finding a job by perusing the job offerings and advice posted on these sites.

88. The NJO Blog: This blog will tell you how to manage a nursing job when you get one, how to study for exams and the pros and cons you'll find working as a nurse.
89. The Nursing Job Bank: Check this blog regularly to get access to postings of nursing jobs all over the country.
90. Nursing Job a Day: Each day this site posts another nursing job. Browse through them to see if anything suits your experience or location.
91. Campus RN Job Blog: Campus RN provides loads of resources of nursing students and the blog can be a valuable way to learn about hospitals and potential jobs.
92. Nursing Job Network: Filipino nurses can find numerous job openings listed on this site.
93. Nursing Job World: This infrequently posted on blog gives some headlines on what's going on with careers in the nursing field.

Miscellaneous

Here are a few other great blogs to help you network, get a laugh, and learn about your profession.

94. Mediblogopathy: This site is a wonderful place to find blogs on a huge range of medical topics from medical students to registered nursing.
95. Nursing Assistant Resources On the Web: Those who've decided they want to be a nurse's assistant instead of a nurse or just want to learn more about what the lives of their CNAs are like can check out this helpful blog.
96. Death Maiden: Dealing with death and dying is one of the hardest things nurses will face. This blog covers one nurse's personal experiences and thoughts on the matter.
97. Disappearing John RN: Here you'll find frequent posts on the nursing profession as well as information about this nurse who lost loads of weight and is on his way to a happier healthier career.
98. Clinical Cases and Images: This blog is a great place to learn about interesting clinical cases and can be a useful supplement to your own clinical work.
99. My 2 Cents: Check out this blog from commentary on the ethical, legal and and professional issues that you will face as a nurse.
100. Medical Jokes, Cartoons and Videos: The stress of nursing school getting you down? Check out this site to find some medically themed humor and laughs to get you through the day.

this list is from http://www.rncentral.com/nursing-library/careplans/100_best_blogs_for_nursing_students

nursing in the philippines, with love..;)

FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING

The Earliest Hospitals Established were the following:

a. Hospital Real de Manila (1577). It was established mainly to care for the Spanish King’s soldiers, but also admitted Spanish civilians.Founded by Gov. Francisco de Sande
b. San Lazaro Hospital (1578) – built exclusively for patients with leprosy. Founded by Brother Juan Clemente

The Earliest Hospitals Established
a. Hospital de Indio (1586) –Established by the Franciscan Order; Service was in general supported by alms and contribution from charitable persons.

Read the complete history of nursing here in the Philippines at this blog entry

http://elektrika00.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/nursing-in-the-philippines-with-love/

LIPITOR HEART MEDICINE NOW AVAILABLE IN PHILIPPINES AS GENERIC ATORVASTATIN, AVAMAX SAVE MONEY

Pfizer sues Unilab over Lipitor drug

Pfizer sells the anti-hypertensive drug under the trade name Lipitor, and its generic name is atorvastatin calcium. Pascual said the patent of Lipitor in the Philippines will expire in 2012.

Unilab recently released its generic version of the medicine under the brand Avamax.

Pascual said Pfizer has also filed a similar case against the manufacturer of Ator tablets, also an Atorvastatin, which were released in the local market even before Avamax.

She said latest data before the implementation of the MRDP shows that Unilab is the leading pharmaceutical company with a 16.3-percent share of the domestic market, while Pfizer comes in second with a 9.6-percent share. http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business/4530-pfizer-sues-unilab-over-lipitor-drug

READ MORE ABOUT http://www.lipitor.com/content/index.aspx

READ MORE ABOUT ATORVASTATIN GENERIC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin (INN) (Lipitor, Pfizer), is a member of the drug class known as statins, used for lowering blood cholesterol. It also stabilizes plaque and prevents strokes through anti-inflammatory and other mechanisms.

Read blogs on drugstores and prices of generic medicines and reduced prices regular drugs

Read about Generic Drugstores in the Philippines (has contact details and addresses) including regular drugstores like Mercury, Roses and Watsons. http://philippinestuff.wordpress.com/2009/07/05/generic-drugstores-in-the-philippines/

Also check many drug prices in the Philippines here http://drugprices.wordpress.com/

Fewer Pinoy nurses seek jobs in US

MANILA –Joblessness in the US could be a reason why the number of Filipino nurses taking the United States national licensure examinations decreased, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said on Thursday.

"The confidence of foreign workers in America’s economic supremacy has clearly been shaken by the staggering job losses there," TUCP secretary general Ernesto Herrera said in a press statement.

Herrera said Filipino nurses’ desire to seek employment in the US by taking the National Council Licensure Exams (NCLEX) dropped by 21.38% in nine months to September this year.

From January to September of this year only 11,854 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time. Herrera noted a decrease of 3,225 compared to the 15,079 that took the test in the same period last year.
In the July to September quarter alone, Herrera said only 3,582 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time, down 1,660 or 31.66% as against the 5,242 that took the test in the same quarter in 2008.

He said the decline in the number of Filipino nurses seeking to practice their profession in the US comes even after the establishment of an NCLEX testing center in Manila.

In the whole of 2008, a total of 20,746 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time. This was down 3.5% compared to the 21,299 Filipino nurses that took the test for the first time in 2007.

Filipinos still account for four out of every 10 foreign nurses seeking to enter the US nursing profession.

According to Herrera, the aggregate remittances of Filipino workers in the US, including some 200,000 nurses, fell by $635 million or 11.84% to $4.731 billion in the seven months to August this year compared to $5.366 billion over the same period in 2008.

The former senator said the US lost some of its attractions as a country that offers greener pastures not only to foreign nurses but also to other highly-skilled workers.

A total of 7.6 million Americans have lost their jobs since the start of the US recession in December 2007. Since then, the number of unemployed Americans has doubled to 15.1 million, with the national jobless rate at 9.8 percent, according to the US Department of Labor. Read the original posting here http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/print/75576

Nursing Board Exxam Results 2009

Nursing Board Exxam Results 2009
http://www.whatislove.ph/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Nursing-Board-Exam-Result.txt

DOLE to conduct job fair for nurses DAVAO

Davao City (20 October) -- A Job Fair for Nurses is all set as the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office XI celebrates the 52nd Nurses Week on October 21, 2009 at the NCCC Mall, Ma-a, Davao City.

More than 10 various Manila and Davao-based recruitment agencies will participate in the upcoming Job Fair with an estimated 1,000 job orders for nurses as well as physical therapists and other various killed positions for overseas employment.

Registered nurses are required to bring their resumes and other credentials including passport and other related documents.

The Philippines now has some 600,000 nurses actively looking for jobs here and abroad, or forced to perform work outside their profession. They include the 99,837 who passed the local nursing licensure examinations from July 2008 to July 2009.

The government tapped 10,000 of the Filipino nurses and deployed them under the Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS). It allows nurses to serve in the country's depressed municipalities for six months in return for a monthly allowance of P8,000.

In Davao Region, 171 nurse-trainees have successfully completed the first batch of the project. The 2nd batch with 205 nurse-trainees will start their deployment this October. (DOLE XI)

More nurses sought vs leptospirosis problem

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the Department of Health to employ and deploy more nurses and health workers to help address the growing number of leptospirosis cases in cyclone-affected areas.

LEPTOSPIROSIS 101

Leptospirosis

• a bacterial infection caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called leptospira
• occurs through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or by contact with a urine-contaminated environment such as surface water, floodwater, soil, and plants
• affects both humans and animals
• leptospira have been found in rats, insectivores, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs and horses
• bacteria enter through broken skins, through eyes, nose or mouth exposed to contaminated water although less frequently through animal bites, handling infected animal tissues or swallowing contaminated food or water
• an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors or with animals, such as rice and sugar-cane field workers, farmers, sewer workers, veterinarians, dairy workers and military personnel
• a recreational hazard to those who swim or wade in contaminated waters. In endemic areas the number of leptospirosis cases may peak during the rainy season and even may reach epidemic proportions in case of flooding.

SYMPTOMS

Incubation period for the bacteria lasts 7 to 12 days. During this period, the following symptoms may be felt (although sometimes it can also be asymptomatic):

• high fever
• severe headache
• chills
• muscle pain
• vomiting
• jaundice
• redness in the eyes
• abdominal pain
• hemorrhages in skin and mucous membranes (including pulmonary bleeding)
• diarrhea
• rash

However, if these aren't treated, they may develop into kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress.

PREVENTION

• reduce the rat population with the destruction of their habitats -- maintain a clean home
• avoid immersion in natural waters such as rivers, lakes and canals
• avoid immersion in floods
• use protective footwear or clothing when immersion to natural waters or floods is inevitable
• provide clean drinking water

Source: GMA News Research, DO, WHO

“The Department of Health has been directed by the President to fill more health teams and even to employ additional nurses and health workers under the NARS program to address the problem," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Thursday.

Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Schools) is a training-cum-employment program implemented by the DOH, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Professional Regulation Commission-Board of Nursing.

As of October 11, at least 28 people had died while more than 800 have contracted the flood-borne disease this year, mostly from areas badly affected by tropical storm “Ondoy" and typhoon "Pepeng."

In the National Capital Region, which was battered by Ondoy last Sept. 26, there are 429 suspected cases of leptospirosis admitted in 10 hospitals, according to a DOH official.

Dr. Irma Asuncion, officer-in-charge of the Center for Health Development–Metro Manila, said in an interview that from Sept. 1 to Oct. 13, 368 males and 61 females suspected of having leptospirosis were admitted in San Lazaro Hospital (187 cases), Quirino Memorial Medical Center (114), The Medical City (93), Rizal Medical Center (10), Chinese General Hospital (10), Ospital ng Makati (6), Ospital ng Maynila (4), Our Lady of Lourdes (3), Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (1), Valenzuela General Hospital (1).

Marikina, the area hardest hit by Ondoy in the NCR, posted the highest number of suspected cases of leptospirosis with 138, followed by Pasig with 83, Quezon City with 44, Manila with 43, Paranaque with 23, Malabon with 17, Caloocan with 13, Valenzuela with 13, Pasay with 12, Taguig with 10, Makati with nine, Mandaluyong with seven, Navotas with five, Muntinlupa with four, Las Pinas with two, Pateros with one, and San Juan with one.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to the urine of infected animals, usually rats. Its symptoms include fever, muscle pains, redness of the eyes, vomiting, headache, jaundice and difficulty in urinating. Severe cases results in failures of the kidney, liver and brain that may lead to death.

“If you waded in the floods and after two days you experience fever, muscle pains in the thigh and the calf, and reddening of the eyes, please consult a doctor immediately," Asuncion told GMANews.TV on the sidelines of a meeting among senior DOH officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH's National Epidemiology Center.

Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III said Duque was excused from the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) to meet with the heads of the local government units affected by leptospirosis.

Asuncion said the DOH is ready to provide local government units with doxycyline, a prophylactic drug against leptospirosis. However, she said the DOH is preparing the necessary measures for the proper distribution of the drugs.

Tayag warned the public not to self-medicate and instead consult a doctor if they suspect they have leptospirosis.

Tayag said outbreaks of leptospirosis have been observed in three Marikina barangays: Malanday with 35 cases, Concepcion with 19, and Tumana with 14 cases.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus announced that some 5,000 new nurses would be deployed in rural public schools in the country before the end of October.

“These new nurses will surely bring us closer to our goal of providing our public schools access to basic health care," Lapus said.

He said the deployment of the new nurses would help improve the delivery of health and nutrition services in public schools, particularly in depressed areas of the country as well as help attain the department’s goal of making quality education accessible to all Filipinos as provided in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Read the original article here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/174725/more-nurses-sought-vs-leptospirosis-problem

5,000 nurses fan out as wellness warriors Philippines

At least 5,000 nurses will soon be deployed in selected rural areas to help improve the health and hygiene of public school students, according to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.

Each assured of P8,000 monthly stipend, the “warriors of wellness” form the second batch of nurses who have trained for rural health service under Project Nars 2 (Nurses Assigned in Rural Schools), Lapus said.

The first batch, also comprising 5,000 new nurses, have fanned out to the poorest municipalities under a similar project Nars 1 (Nurses Assigned to Rural Service), which President Gloria Arroyo launched last February.

In the first project, batches of five nurses each were assigned to the 1,000 poorest towns, after having completed a three-month work in rural health and another three months in hospital service.

In the second batch, the participants would act as roving nurses in district schools. Batch 2 nurses would have a two-day orientation starting today, Lapus said.

“These new nurses will surely bring us closer to our goal of providing our public schools access to basic health care,” Lapus said.

DepEd has developed the modules to assist registered nurses gain competencies that will make them “warriors of wellness,” Lapus said. The modules deal with primary health care, school nutrition, infection control, first line diagnosis, immunization and health education.

“These nurses will also conduct school visitations and provide preventive and remedial measures for simple and common ailments among the school population,” Lapus said. Read the complete original article here http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/october/15/nation4.isx&d=/2009/october/15

Computer literacy empowers OFWs

Technology has now become the means of empowerment for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it gives them the opportunity to build knowledge.

The Microsoft Tulay Program is the brainchild of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and funded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Microsoft. It aims to expand knowledge and build a new foundation for OFWs through computer literacy.
Last week, Filipina household service workers graduated from Microsoft's Tulay program in Hong kong.

In less than three months, they learned how to use various computer applications; from surfing the internet, to using social networking sites; blogging and using a webcam to communicate with their families back home.

Ople Center president, Susan Ople described the program as a tool of empowering OFWs.
"Being computer literate opens the doors to learning beyond the ordinary,” Ople said.
Ople was a guest at ANC’s Crossing Borders hosted by Immigration Lawyer, Mike Templo.
“Without the internet, your networking opportunities are limited. But once you get to know how to communicate and build social networks with the internet then you are empowered and that's what we want for our domestic helpers here--to be empowered,” Ople added.

Tulay graduate Gloria Magbuhos said the program is a big help to OFWs like herself.
"Malaki ang tulong ng internet kasi nga dati kapag cellphone ang gamit namin malaki ang expenses di ba? Malaki ng charges. Pero kung internet libre na," said Magbuhos

Another graduate, Rowena Concepcion uses the webcam when communicating with her loved ones back home. The web cam bridged the distance for Concepcion who was able to see and follow the health condition of her child born with cerebral palsy while in Hong Kong. Her child died last year.
More than personal connection, Ople said the program also gives OFWs an edge to be globally competitive as people, not just as workers.

"My advice to them is not to be afraid, but enjoy themselves because cyber information, the digital age is here. There is no way to avoid it. It's either you are part of the cyber mainstream or you are in the dark ages," Ople said. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/10/09/09/computer-literacy-empowers-ofws-hk

CNMI plans to hire doctors from RP

More GARAPAN, Saipan – The US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is planning to hire doctors from the Philippines and other countries to help solve the shortage of physicians at the government-run Commonwealth Health Center (CHC).

On Sunday, Governor Benigno R. Fitial said he will put the CNMI Department of Public Health under a state of emergency to allow the hiring of doctors from outside the US mainland and Canada.

The state of emergency declaration is expected to be issued this week.

Cardiologists and nephrologists will be among the specialists to be hired directly from the Philippines and other foreign countries.

“We will hire based on necessity," said Fitial, who flew to Manila two weeks ago.

Currently, CHC is relying on a US-based headhunters firm for $25,000 per doctor hired from the US and Canada to recruit physicians.

But the number of physician hires is still short of meeting the demands of the CNMI.

CHC is one of the components of DPH, which also include the Community Guidance Center and the Division of Public Health.

Most of the nurses working at DPH are from the Philippines.

Doctors at DPH are hired only from the US mainland and Canada based on the policy of the CNMI Medical Profession Licensing Board and due to US Medicaid and Medicare requirements.

But the governor said the hiring outside the US and Canada will be a “temporary fix" to the doctor shortage at the only hospital in the CNMI.

Fitial said it is interesting to note that DPH can't hire specialists from the Philippines but it regularly sends CNMI patients to Manila for treatment and other medical care.

Acting Health Secretary Pete Untalan also said CHC's choice is limited when it comes to hiring physicians.

Although CHC regularly refers some patients to the Philippines for treatment, the CNMI cannot hire doctors from that country due to the standards and requirements mandated by the US federal government, he said.

CHC, which receives Medicare and Medicaid funding, is required to hire US-trained doctors.

The CNMI, a US territory, also relies on doctors hired from the US mainland and Canada because it only has a handful of local physicians and many of them work at private clinics.

Most of the 32 doctors that CHC currently employs, including part-time and visiting physicians, are from the US and Canada.

While DPH recruits doctors all year round, prospective physicians are discouraged by the uncompetitive salary offered by the CNMI government as a result of declining revenues and resources.

The lack of doctors at DPH is being augmented by services from private clinics and physicians.

With the US federal takeover of CNMI immigration set for Nov. 28, DPH said it has been receiving inquiries from off-island doctors willing to work in the CNMI.

These potential physicians may come to the CNMI through the J1 visa waiver category, which will allow them to work in underserved areas in the US with their families.

At present, foreign doctors who go to US medical schools and are trained in US-accredited facilities have to go back to their countries and serve there for a number of years.

Without the visa waiver program, physicians must wait for three to four years before they could work elsewhere.

The CNMI, which is home to some 10,000 overseas Filipino workers and Filipino-Americans, is only about three hours away from Manil REad the original article here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/174043/cnmi-plans-to-hire-doctors-from-rp

Caregiver Nursing Aide Cebu

Cebu Sunstar October 5, 2009 Click the photo to read larger

NARS a movie about nurses

“Nars,” a movie about the life of struggling nursing students who aspire to eventually work abroad, was co-produced by Carl Balita, who is a nurse and owns a review center, and wanted to do a film about nurses as a tribute and an educational tool “Batanes,” which stars Taiwanese actor Ken Chu, was co-produced by GMA films.

Click these links to read more
http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316677

http://micamyx.i.ph/blogs/micamyx/2007/12/09/nars-a-movie-tribute-to-al-nursesnursing-students/