Contention:

Despite efforts to provide them (the repeaters or flunkers) free refresher courses and reviews, some of the graduates, especially those "second coursers" who have financial resources or regular students who are well off, do not mind repeating the exam over and over again because they say can pay the fee and only a few will know if they failed again.

 

Furthermore, some of them are really not interested to practice the profession. They are 'just made to comply' to parents' or relatives' requests.

 

 

We strongly suggest that a limit in the number of examination one can take be determined again or there would be a corresponding increase in the fee as they fail one exam after another. This would limit those who do not prepare themselves well from just flunking the examination.  

 

We strongly believe that in order to maintain the quality of nurses our nation produces, there should be a very reliable qualifying process.

 

It is the responsibility of the schools to produce graduates who are competetive, equipped and competent - YES, but the school cannot be faulted 100% if the students themselves are also not determined to pass. The school has no full control over individual behaviors nor motivations, especially if they have already graduated from the institution.

 

Good for institutions big enough to strictly implement the selection and retention process. They may have no problems in this area. For many small institutions, who were granted permits to operate but survive on those who were not accepted in major universities and colleges, this is a major concern.

 

We can provide quality education to those who are receptive and can do only so much for those who are not.

 

 

 

It has been a known fact that based on the statistics below, the nursing profession has a big concern at hand:

 

Number of examinees who passed the Nursing Board for the past five years:

 

                   Passers          Takers          National Passing Percentage

 

June 2005 -  12, 843           

Nov 2005     13, 108            24, 287         53.97%

 

June 2006     17, 821     

Nov 2006      19, 712           40, 147        53.97%

 

June 2007      31, 275           64, 909       48.18%

Nov 2007       28, 924

 

June 2008      27, 765            64, 459      43.07%

Nov 2008       39, 455            88, 649      44.50%

 

June 2009      32, 187           77,091         42.12%

Dec 2009       37,527            94, 462        39.72%

It is alarming to note that the number of takers are very high and the national passing percentage is decreasing.

 

It is also of concern that over the past five years, the Philippines had produced 260, 617 nurses. The question - where are they? What are they doing?

 

Let me share these notes:

 

- Mr Quickie - their joke, " I am Juana de la Cruz RN major in shoe repair"

- SM Malls - their joke, " I am Juana de la Cruz RN, professional cashier"

- Call Centers - their joke, " I am Juan de la Cruz RN, CCA (Call Center Agent)"

- Hospitals - their joke, " I am Juana de la Cruz RN, professional trainee ( training for 6 months to 1 year, hoping to get a slot"

- In Homes - their joke, " I am Juan de la Cruz RN, PT ( Professional Tambay)"

- In lines - " I am Juana de la Cruz, RN Professional Job Hunter, years of experience (in job hunting) , 3 years"

 

 

Again,  I know a lot of School Officials and Deans share the same concerns. Is there any way ADPCN, ANSAP, PNA and BON can work with local and foreign corporations to help our young nurses find work (and that is not just "some" work but for the 200 thousand in the waiting list)?