Weekender: BLS-ACLS Training

Finally got the chance to sit down and write again. Week went well, though I was quite busy with the trainings but I think it's good. There are just so many blessings to be thankful about and I must say that I'm really blessed.

I just finished my Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training at NC-CLEX. As a basic requirement for all newly graduate and registered nurses, it is now a growing trend that after graduation and/or having passed the NLE, one would enroll into as much seminars and trainings to have something put into their resumes and increase their credibility as a professional. It’s not new to us that almost all the hospitals here in the Philippines or even abroad are on recession right now because of surplus of nurses, and it is now almost mandatory to have an edge among the hundreds of thousands of competition out there. Unless, of course, if you have a backer.

I decided to take my BLS-ACLS training at NC-CLEX because I find their program interesting and informative. This is a whole day practical course conducted for 5 days, covering the essentials life support skills. The training was not that tough. I thought that it's gonna be another stressful day for me. But it’s not. The staffs and the instructors are super nice and my co-trainees are easy to get along. The participants were taught the basics of first aid and how to interpret ECG strips. They also had hands on demonstration on Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). We started by having a brief orientation, followed by the lectures, then repeating what is instructed and when everything was already discussed, we started practicing for the return demonstration (which is graded). Of course, we were given time to practice the techniques. After that, our skills and knowledge were evaluated.

What I like about our training is their 1:1 ratio for participants, meaning one instructor for each students and it comes by batch so that they can all accommodate the participants unlike the other programs where in there are so many students for only one instructor. The demonstration from our instructors fascinated me. I watched in awe as he performed chest compressions, CPR and rescue breathing on the dummy. I knew that afterwards, we were supposed to do it ourselves. That chest compression part is some kind of hard for me, I need to give my over all energy to do it right! Ahaha. Thankfully, I was able to learn how to do it properly as I passed the exercises on doing basic life support. But boy it was the grueling activities that not only entailed physical strength but mastery of the step-by-step process and/or the practice of ergonomics. Not complaining though! Hehe :)) The lecture on ECG reading and interpretation caused me migraine but I survived it nonetheless.

The training venue itself is nice; they have different dummies that work! And they have the proper equipments that were use both local and international for the said course. At the end of the entire course, you'll have an evaluation exam, it consists of 2 parts: a written one and a return demonstration (Megacode). You have to pass both, if you don’t you have to repeat the entire course and pay again. And after passing all of that and completed the course, you will be issued with a Certificate of Completion plus ID cards which are valid for two years—both cards are renewable in any accredited training center. Also, good thing is their programs are accredited by ASHI which is credited both local and international.

Now, the hunt is on...again. The hunt for an IVT training hospital, that is. It seems like everywhere we look, slots get taken right before our very eyes and it's a pain waiting for another training session to open for reservations for the next month. I recommend you guys (nursing students/health practitioners) to enroll in NC-CLEX, they also have other trainings and programs besides BLS & ACLS.

And oooh, after 3 months of waiting I finally got my PRC license! Yeyy! Raise your ID!! :) haha!

For more information about the NC-CLEX you could visit their website HERE.

Oath Taking: Full Pledged Registered Nurse

There were 16,908 board passers who took the Nursing Board Exams last December 2012. About 34.46% survived the nerve-wrecking NLE. Regularly, those who pass the board will move on to their oath taking ceremony to formalize and receive their licenses then practice their profession.

Nurses have full of responsibilities and most of these are life threatening and life-matters therefore, we as new nurses shall pledge that we must do our best to do these tasks with the best way that we can.

We had our oath taking ceremony at San Beda Church. The Oath taking Ceremony was organized by the PNA (Philippine Nurses Association) and it encompasses Pledge to Profession and Pledge as a member of the said organization, the program also entails us to meet our new superiors; the Board of Nursing as they gave us a warm welcome and an inspirational speech as well.

Yesterday (February 11, 2013) could be considered as one of the most memorable days of a nurse's life. And it was indeed a very special occasion for all of us who have managed to battle the odds and survive the battlefield with our coat of armor still intact. Though the war still rages on, with the unemployment rate of registered nurses skyrocketing to record breaking figures, it's nice to leave all the drama and chaos even for just a while and marvel in the fact that, heeeyyyy, we now have the right and the privilege to put those nice two little letters R.N. after our names. Woot! Woot! :))) It was nice to see us wearing our gala uniforms (thank God mine still fit) again.

We first celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass before the oath taking proper.

Board of Nursing member Hon. Leonila A. Faire preside the ceremony. Before the actual pledge, she first imparted a message saying that after we take our oath, there would be no turning back. She added that most of us have different reasons and motivations in taking up nursing but it was not a coincident why we were where we were. According to her, out of the 49,066 who applied for the test, and out of that number, 16,908 passed. Who knows how many would practice nursing but with or without jobs, a nurse would always be a nurse. She shared her insights and extends her congratulate to all the NEW REGISTERED NURSES. She is such an inspiring woman who has all the -guts to share her knowledge and wisdom to everybody. She also got some striking points she shared that made me listen to her attentively. “Struggling towards nursing excellence” this phrase has given me few thoughts of “Oo nga no..?! Struggle in nursing…” But I learned that from all the struggle – people personalities, faculty staffs, lectures, examinations and duty – it helped to know that I can survive from all those and by the grace of God – I am a survivor of BSN!

Board of Nursing, Honorable Leonila A. Faire

Me and Zackie = Happy kids! :D

with Jewel and Carla

I would also like to share the part where Hon. Faire permitted us (New RN’s) to give round of applause to our parents. I believe that my parents are very proud of me too. I would also like to take this chance to praise and honor my beloved parents who never stopped pursuing me even to the most down moments even my last resort is “to quit” being a nurse. I believe they take their time just to pray for me, most especially the board exam. I am not a quitter that is why I never stopped desiring. Moreover, God has plans too. God is just so great that He made me feel that I have decided what are right and I thank God for the wisdom that He has given me.

With my loving mommy and daddy :)

Bona fide CHSian Nurses unite once again for probably the last time *sniff* as these newly registered nurses take part in a once in a lifetime ceremony with various colleges and universities, their respective Deans and the Board of Nursing (BON) themselves in attendance.

It’s really nice experiencing the every step of becoming a professional, but we must bear in mind that in each step there’s a corresponding realization of the saddled responsibilities. We are not here just to work and earn but to serve and care.

Right now, we already pledged and spoken our vows thus the responsibilities is now put up with, and from then on we should practice professionalism through the things taught to us in school and being open too for the remaining facts in our future field.

Professionalism in a way what the nurse do, Professionalism by the things we give care without asking anything in return, Professionalism in a way of empathizing our patients concern, Professionalism by simply being a RN = Real NURSE = Nourishment, Understanding, Respect, Stewardship, Exciting :)

Yeyyy!! The NEWLY REGISTERED NURSES

Nonetheless, I still feel that this was just only a dream and the hangover of passing the NLE where I jolted in surprise & couldn’t stop my tears running on my cheeks as I saw my name in the list of NLE passers. I couldn’t believe myself I belong to these survivors and now here I am – a full-pledge Philippine Registered Nurse. I believe this is all because of God's grace. God is good. All the time.

Yes, this is it! I made it! This is not yet the end of my journey. But this just the beginning.

Only the formal registration at PRC and I’m good to go. I guess there really is no turning back.

Something to be proud of

I had attacks of involuntary insomnia and restlessness before the results of the December 2012 Nursing Licensure Exam was released. My friends and I woud always talk over the date it would be out. Truthfully, we never really succeeded with our predictions. The results were out last January 30, 2012 (Wednesday); it was at around three o' clock in the afternoon. I didn’t really anticipate that the results will be posted early than the expected released on the mid-week of February.

I was at the mall that time, killing time while drinking my large wintermelon milk tea, having no idea that the result is already posted online. When I check my phone, I have five messages from my friends telling me that the result has been posted. Funny thing I have no load to reply but I’m stuck in my chair with my heart beating too fast and shaking knees. Gaaaahhh!!! I held my phone and waited for some trusted people to inform me coz’ damn it, I wasn't really brave enough to check my name for myself! I was awaken by the incessant ringing of my phone. One of closest friend whom I called “kambal” is calling me…As I’m trying to compose myself, I just answered the call. Guess what?? She gave with the news that I had passed the Licensure Exam for nurses and congratulated me for passing the board exam! I PASSSSED!!! I screamed with pure joy and absolute disbelief. I was like telling her, “Seriously?? Are you sure??” I’m so in denial, I also ask her to send me print screen evidence that my name is on the list. Haha :)) As soon as I hung up, I go home and while I’m in the FX there is an unexplainable happiness running in my nerves. Up to this single second, I still can't absorb that my name will be added by two-letters R.N!!! Immediately, when I got home I checked my Twitter and Facebook accounts which were all loaded with notifications.

When I confirmed that my name is on the list of passers, I quickly told my mom and dad, "Mommy, Daddy RN na ako!!!!” They hug me and congratulate me that at last all my hard work and sacrifices results good. Oh God! TO GOD BE THE GLORY. I looked like crazy girl. I JUMPED. I CRIED. I SHOUTED. I SMILED. People of the Philippines, I'm RN naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! HAHAHA that was the only time it sank in.

As luck (or fate) would have it. I passed the Local Nursing Licensure Exam. 16,908 out of 49,066 passed the December 2012 Licensure Examination with a national passing rate of 34%. And behold, that 34% of happy happy passers included ME.

I was passer #13540. Yay! :)

My celebration didn't stop there, thankfully. People around me sort of expected that I would pass, of course, some are not and when I did, well, let's just say the congratulations and applause were a bit lacking in the excitement area. Anyways, although it seemed to me that I was the one up in the clouds about it all I relished my achievement. What's next is this newly registered nurses fight and flight through the jungles of the health care system.

I also want to say my SUPER BIG THANK YOU to all those people – friends and family, [you know who you are] who pray for me, stay by my side, for making me strong and for words of encouragement. :’) VIRTUAL HUG for you guys!! >:D< I appreciate all the congratulation greetings I received from tweets, texts and wall post. FLYING KISS to all of you!! :)) :*

I PASSED THE BOARD EXAM!! Wooooohoooo!! Sooo happy and smiling!! :) Thank you Lord God for all the help, guidance and blessings. :D ALL PRAISES TO GOD THE ALMIGHTY! :''>