18/11/2024
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The 70th Capping and Candle Lighting Ceremony of the Department of Nursing was held on October 19, 2024, at the Main Auditorium of Far Eastern University - Manila. During the celebration, which was themed โFearless, Empowered, and Undaunted: Towards Ethical Healthcare in the Face of Globally Competitive Nursing Standardsโ, 1,035 student nurses were officially capped and pinned.
In line with this yearโs theme, the ceremonial Nightingale and some members of Batch 2027 shared their insights and perceptions on the key characteristics necessary to be embodied by Tamaraw student nurses and registered nurses as they journey towards becoming globally competitive professionals.
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Similar to almost every aspect of our lives, in nursing, everything is also uncertain. We donโt know what the future holds, and the unknown, carrying potential unexpected twists and turns, can be a source of anxiety and fear.
This holds true for Miss Nathalie Rebucan, the ceremonial Florence Nightingale and one of the Top 8 during the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination 2024. In spite of where she is and what she has accomplished, Rebucan admitted that she is still afraid.
โUntil now, even when I'm already here, I am still afraid that future plans might not go how I expected them to be. Worry is always there,โ she said.
However, Rebucan added: โBut thatโs part of it. Mild worrying is what keeps us going.โ
Amidst uncertainties, her constant reminder to herself that someday sheโll get there helped Rebucan in getting where she wanted to be and achieving what she wanted to become.
Even the student nurses from Batch 2027 view nursing as a profession filled with challenges and uncertainties. But these obstacles donโt hinder them from doing what they are passionate about; rather, they cultivate their sense of fearlessness in the nursing profession.
โSa nursing, hindi mo talaga alam kung anong kahaharapin moโhaharapin mong cases, haharapin mong mga tao. Fearlessness ay iyong kakayahan mong i-take lahat ng initiative as a student nurse para makapagbigay ng care for the community, for the society,โ Erik Emmanuel Pamplona shared, adding that, โItโs like a reminder and a motivation for our batch, to uphold and bring ourselves ready to give service to the community.โ
Another student nurse from Batch 2027, Ayeshka Kenzie Galarpe, shared: โIn honing our skills and knowledge in nursing, even if there are challenges, if ever we stumble upon obstacles and difficulties, fearlessness means that we have the heart and courage to overcome it no matter what.โ
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Nurses are often the first and last point of contact for patients, making them more than just providers of care but also patient advocatesโprotecting their rights and safeguarding their well-being.
The way nurses interact with their clients makes a significant impact on individuals under their care. Building rapport and a sense of trust from patients are some of the moments in which nurses feel empowered, as their contributions are heard and recognized.
โI really felt empowered every time patients ask for my opinion on their case. It feels like they trust, and they feel cared for by you,โ Rebucan said.
The stance is similar to Pamplona, as they are being prepared for their clinical rotations, โdrafting nursing diagnoses and nursing care plans.โ He shared that they felt empowered and heard as student nurses in using their learnings to provide care for patients.
Aside from being empowered through taking part in providing direct care to patients, student nurses from Batch 2027 shared their moments of empowerment as they navigate the path of being Tamaraw student nurses.
โFrom the start, when I took my step here in FEU, as an FEU student, as a Tamaraw nursing student, I already felt empowered,โ Ullysis Alburo stated. He also said that having the opportunity to study in FEU strengthened him, and through this strength, he was able to strengthen others.
โI also shared my knowledge with others, and my experiences with othersโwith my co-student nurses here,โ Alburo added.
Additionally, the moment when another member of Batch 2027, Loise Janine Rocha, felt empowered was during the time when their workloads as nursing students became โoverwhelming and tiring.โ "But still, at the end of the day, you do it because it is your passion, and at the same time, your responsibility,โ she added in Filipino during the interview.
Far Eastern University is well-known in the Philippines for its undergraduate programs, particularly the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It is consistently ranked among the top nursing schools in the country, and its graduates are highly regarded by employers and healthcare institutions. The nursing program offers a curriculum that rigorously and comprehensively prepares students for a successful career in the nursing field, producing empowered and globally competitive Tamaraw nurses.
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Obstacles and turmoil are part of oneโs journey, but undaunted, in the face of adversity, nurses remain steadfast in their commitment to providing quality patient care.
Having the heart to serve and provide care for the people ignites the burning passion in every Tamaraw student and registered nurse. It is evident, considering the reality of nursing here in the Philippines, particularly during circumstances in which they are faced with challenges and setbacks, yet they still choose to do their dutyโto provide care and service to people.
โWe are really underappreciated,โ said Rebucan as she talked about how nurses experience unfair treatment and how nurses are still underpaid in the country.
But despite this, she stated: โYou go back to why you took nursing. I chose nursing as my profession because I wanted to care for my patients. I wanted to give them a better quality of life by helping them.โ
One of the most important reminders that kept her going whenever she encountered challenges is to look back on her โcompassion and the reason she started nursing.โ
The same goes for Galarpe as she shared: โI stay committed to what I'm doing by recalling the reason why I started this journey. Upon reflecting on my experiences back then, these honed me to where I am right now; and this motivates and strengthens me to overcome every challenge.โ
Even Alburo stated that it is the people, those individuals and groups who need help, particularly those people in the marginalized sector, that motivate him to pursue and continue the nursing profession.
โIyong mga taong madalas nakakalimutan, iyong mga taong hindi nakakaranas ng equal rights sa healthcare natin, sila iyong nagmo-motivate sa akin to be a nurse, to be a Florence Nightingale,โ he said.
Alburo also added that similar to Nightingale, โwho became light and hope for everyone,โ he also wants to be like herโโa symbol of hope especially for the Filipino people who need help.โ
Parents and families are also one of the reasons why student nurses from Batch 2027 remain undaunted. Their loved onesโ sacrifices and encouragement became the source of strength and motivation needed to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
โIniisip ko rin iyong family ko, gusto kong i-give back lahat ng sacrifices nila,โ Precious Gem Anilao, another nursing student from Batch 2027, articulated.
She also added that she is an โempathetic and compassionate person,โ which pushes her to continue in order to provide healing to people, especially those who are in need and those with no opportunities in healthcare.
โIyong parents ko po talaga ang main motivation ko. Gusto ko pong mabigay sa kanila iyong life na deserve nila at mabalik lahat ng sacrifices nila,โ Rocha said.
She further conveyed: โAside from them, I really want to help other people,โ particularly those individuals with no ability to provide care for themselves. Rocha expressed her desire to provide these people the care that they deserve.
Also, Pamplona stated that aside from his love for the nursing profession and his passion for serving the people in the community, his family has always been the reason why he took nursing.
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With the rapid advancements in healthcare, dilemmas surrounding ethico-moral standards, and the significant increase in chronic diseases, there will be a continuously growing demand for globally competitive and qualified Filipino nurses who will embody fearlessness, have a sense of empowerment, and stay undaunted.
With this being said, Rebucan left a message for student nurses who will soon become licensed professionals and part of the nursing workforce in the country:
โTo student nurses, soon-to-be future nurses, stay open to new experiencesโthese experiences will humble you. Still, be able to learn from that experience, even if it's challenging; take it as an advantage, take it as something you can use in the future. Always take care of yourself, because you have been learning to take care of others, so don't forget to take care of yourself.โ
Article by Erika Dela Peรฑa
