The plight of nurses in the Philippines
By anaaibachan
@lizbenetua (637)
Philippines
December 7, 2009 9:35am CST
It's sad but true, nurses here are overworked, underpaid, demoralized. The IT industry is prioritized over healthcare and healthcare workers. It is so sad that some nurses work in other industries like the call center, restaurants, even banks just to get a bigger salary. When I was working in the hospital, I am earning seven thousand pesos a month which so mortifying. The reason for all of these deficiencies is due to the "fall in the number of nurse leaders" as Susan O.Valentine writes in her online abstract entitled "Nursing Leadership and the New Nurse". There is this one thing that is not seen in hospitals, which the writer states that "Nursing has a responsibility to encourage and support new members of the profession as they become competent clinicians." New members are not encouraged. They are left to fend on their own. They only focus on those who are performers, forgetting that those who may be having trouble are the ones who need help the most. I recommend that nurse leaders and hospital administrators be enrolled in a seminar on leadership and Management, particularly on Ken Blanchard's "Leadership and the One Miniute Manager". This is the best book on Management and Leadership that I have ever read.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@cartergarth (9)
• Philippines
12 Oct 11
I understand that part, but call center companies have helped those nurses who were unemployed and find hard to get a job. It is also good that call center companies have higher salary that gives better living to employees. A business process outsourcing company in the Philippines is continuously looking for applicants to fill their upcoming campaign. You can visit http://takingyouforward.com.
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
25 Jan 10
Hi liz, I am a Registered Nurse here in the Philippines. I passed the exam last Dec 2007. And until now, have no job related to my course. It is really sad, my family spent big on the course and you could only land a job as volunteer and you also have to pay for training. I am working as a virtual assistant and pays well but Id still wish I can pursue the career I really wanted but i guess theres no more hope. I have a daughter that I have to support and also my husband is studying to get a higher education and also be able to land a job after that hopefully, so I am the breadwinner of the family right now. Its hard in this situation because I really need to work to provide what we need by now. I hope there's a miracle and someday I'll be able to pursue my nursing career at last.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
This is certainly sad to note. In fact these are the reasons why many nurses are going abroad considering the working conditions as well as the salary of our nurses are quite low. I hope that the government will see these problems and to improve the condition. I surely understand why our nurses want to work abroad. If they are better paid, I am sure that they would opt to stay here in our country.
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
I agree that nurse here is underpaid unlike in other countries. The tuition in nursing course is expensive and your salary is not enough for your expenses. That's why many experienced nurses leaving the Philippines. Opportunities here is very limited compare if they work abroad they salaries is much bigger compare here.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
hello lizbenetua,
that is horrible, i mean it's no joke for nurse to work on twenty four hours seven days a week and then you get a pay that is already tax deductable. there's no surprising if most nurses only study nursing only just to go abroad and earn greener pastures.
with so many nurses now, i really think some students should be taught the real deal of being a nurse because i remember some one who was interviewed by the media and this fat gay nurse student said "purpose is to serve the clients" where it supposed to be "Patients" i forgot the name but never what he said.
as a Filipino, despite of your work with low pay I am so proud that you get to stay and worked in our motherland. 
@dong88 (795)
• China
8 Dec 09
Saw your topic, and I therefore fully agree with,although we are not in the same country.It seems nurses in hospitals is a global in nature .On our side,these also exist because of the issue management system,so that the hospital nurses "unequal pay for equal" Yes,the hospital nurse is a noble profession, hopes that people concerned about "the plight of nurses"!
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
Hi liz. This is the reason why we lose so many of our qualified health care professionals. They opt to work abroad, leave their families behind because ironically they are able to practice their profession, but they will not live from the income brought about by their profession. Some nurses or doctors choose to stay, but I know of some who went abroad because they can provide for their families better if they work there.
I worked in the call center industry for six years and when I started, I can definitely say that the salary was good. But the salary grade has not changed in these six years and I am appalled when I learn that companies offer starting salaries similar to the one I was offered six years ago. And the cost of living has gone up.
