Pinoy R.N.

June 2012 Visa Bulletin

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 26 May 2012 04:13:00 +0000

RETROGRESSION UPDATE

It's been a while since we last wrote about monthly visa bulletins issued by the American State department here at Pinoy RN. So let's see what's new in the visa front.

The visa bulletin for June 2012 has been out for more than a week now and Hammond Law Group made a very good table showing the movement of employment-based immigrant visa 3rd preference.

Click to enlarge. Table courtesy of Hammond Law Group Website

The table above shows that in June last year, Filipino nurses waiting since September 15, 2005 (or earlier) were seeing progress in their immigrant petition to work in the United States. Fast forward to today, and we see that the priority dates moved nine (9) months.

While still retrogressed, the monthly visa bulletins show a slow but consistent progress in the processing of nurse petitions.

Sport Summer’s Hottest Trends In Your Scrubs

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:50:00 +0000

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Just because you can’t be on vacation the entire summer doesn’t mean that you can’t stay fashion forward at work in your medical scrubs! For those of you in the medical field, we’re bringing you some of this summer’s hottest fashion trends and showing you how you can rock these dominant trends while on the job in your scrubs at your hospital or doctor’s office.

Graphic Florals: The floral trend that appeared this spring is still going strong, and these cheery prints on your scrubs are perfect mood-boosters for your co-workers and patients alike:

UA Scrubs “Forget Me Not White” Round Neck Scrub Top ~ this top is ultra feminine with flower-shaped buttons and lace embroidery trim on the bottom hem. It makes you feel like you are outside in a field of flowers instead of stuck at work!
Koi Scrubs “Mon Amour” Print Scrub Top ~ this pink and blue floral top is so stylish it blurs the line between regular clothes and scrubs. The pleated neckline and smocked pockets give it girly touches and the background images of postcards and cameras are subtle reminders that your summer vacation is (hopefully) right around the corner!

Flashy Brights: Attention-grabbing neon colors are in stores everywhere this summer’s, the brighter the better! Plus, these bold, “happy” colors give your skin a nice glow so you can easily fake a tan:

Crocs Scrubs Crossover “Crystal” Top in Kiwi ~This lime green scrub top is as functional as it is fashionable, it has Crocs signature “Croc pockets” for storage and is designed to be ultra flexible to move with you.
Butter-Soft Scrubs by UA Scallop Neck Top in Picante~ Tangerine was named the Pantone color of the year for 2012 and this bright orange shade is a great way to showcase this trend in your medical uniforms without being overpowering.

Patriotic Prints: What’s summer without a backyard BBQ and fireworks? Between Memorial Day and 4th of July, summer is the time to show your national pride and you can continue that spirit in your scrubs:

Koi Scrubs “Celebration” Bridgette Top ~ with stars and stripes just like the flag, this scrub top is a classic, complete with a novelty front tie and star shaped beads!
UA Scrubs “Blast of Stars” Mock Wrap Scrub Top ~ this top brings the fireworks right out of the sky and onto your scrubs and red piping along the mock wrap adds an extra “punch” of color.

For more information, visit http://www.UniformAdvantage.com, your one-stop shop for all of your nursing scrubs and medical uniforms needs. Uniform Advantage is a leading retailer of scrubs and medical uniforms. Founded in 1985, the company operates out of Plantation, Florida and ships from their distribution center near Atlanta, Georgia. It has grown to include 27 scrubs stores located in key cities across the US and Canada, a catalog division and an entity dedicated to the online market.

Nurse Licensure Examination Application Goes Online

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:08:00 +0000

The Professional Regulation Commission has announced that applications for the June 2012 Nursing Board Exam may now be filed online (http://www.prc.gov.ph/online/application/).

The online application, however, only involves the first step in the application process.

After completing the online application, applicants must then proceed to the nearest PRC Office for the processing of their applications, payment of fees, and the issuance of their Notice of Admission for entry to the examination centers.

The two-day licensure examination is scheduled on June 30 – July 1, 2012 and will be held in several cities nationwide.

International Nurses Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (CyNurse) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:37:00 +0000

On May 6 to May 12, nurses from all over the world will be celebrating International Nurses Week. This yearly event is held to commemorate the countless contributions millions of registered nurses have made to society.

International Nurses Day 2012 is scheduled on May 12, the last day of the week-long celebration. It marks the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. On this momentous occasion, National Nursing Associations (NNA) from all over the globe will join forces in memorializing her achievements and lifetime work in modern nursing.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has announced that the International Nurses Day theme for 2012 is: Closing the Gap: From Evidence to Action. This year's theme emphasizes the utilization of evidence-based approach in nursing practice and the empowerment of nurses in putting nursing knowledge into everyday use.

The International Council of Nurses is an organization of National Nursing Associations. Founded in 1899, it represents more than 13 million nurses worldwide.

Mix and Match to Grow Your Scrubs Wardrobe

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:28:00 +0000

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Between family, friends, and work it may be difficult to get a moment for yourself, much less have time to update your work wardrobe with this season’s trendy colors and hottest styles. Fear not, we’re going to cover a few ways you can spruce up your wardrobe (while staying budget friendly!) by mixing and matching old and new uniform pieces.

Channel your inner creativity and learn how to turn scrubs into a fashion forward ensemble!

Step 1: Pick 1 “basic color” that you feel most comfortable in (whether it’s black, brown, gray, white or navy) or whichever one that you have to wear based on your team’s uniform regulations

Step 2: Find out which colors are best based on your coloring (skin tone, eye color, hair color) these are divided into either warm or cool—here are examples of each: Warm: Oranges, Reds, Yellows Cool: Blues, Greens, Purples

Step 3*: Put more emphasis on switching up your scrub tops, when you vary tops people are much more likely to notice something new and fresh vs. scrub bottoms

Step 4: Most importantly: make sure that the colors you pick are ones that you will feel confident wearing, not just because they’re “right”! Feeling good about your appearance will be the best accessory for your scrubs and put the spring in your step.

To embellish on Step 3 here are some easy ways to get the most out of your existing tops and a guide for what to look for when buying new tops to get the most bang for your buck:

Cardigan style warm-up jackets and lab coats like the Koi scrubs Olivia jacket or Koi scrubs Geneva lab coat are a great way to “dress up” scrubs on the job—they’re also a great way to store your cell phone, keys, etc.

Jackets are great for complimenting a printed top with a corresponding solid pant
Ones that feature elastic cuffs help keep you warm in chilly air conditioned buildings and keep sleeves out of your way on the job!

Wrap tops often have contrasting trim, which will provide you with more options for corresponding bottom colors

Not only are floral, polka dot, and other printed tops fun and cheery for your co-workers and patients, but they allow you a more broad scope of pant options because you can wear pants of any of the featured colors and still match!

Summary: When your budget is tight look no further than your own closet for ways to mix and match scrubs to create new work outfits! Here are tips for mixing and matching to get the most out of what you already have for work uniforms.

Resource: Uniform Advantage is a leading retailer of scrubs and medical uniforms. Founded in 1985, the company operates out of Plantation, Florida and ships from their distribution center near Atlanta, Georgia. It has grown to include 27 scrubs stores located in key cities across the US and Canada, a catalog division and an entity dedicated to the online market. For more information, visit http://www.UniformAdvantage.com, your one-stop shop for all of your nursing uniform needs.

PRC ID Printing Delayed

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:14:00 +0000

The Professional Regulation Commission has announced that it will be facing delays in the printing and issuance of professional identification cards (PRC IDs).

Printing and issuance of PRC IDs have been suspended since February 16, 2012 pending the rebidding of the the contract for its production.

Best Scrubs for Each Body Type

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Sponsored Post

When flipping through the pages of your favorite fashion magazine you’ll frequently see articles on choosing the best bathing suit, dress, or business attire for your body type. So why not do the same for scrubs, especially since those in the medical field wear them much more frequently than swimwear! We’ve identified the best cuts and styles of scrubs based on four common body types to help you look and feel your best while on the job:

Hourglass or Curvy: full bust that is equal or very close in measurement to your hips, narrow waist.

Do: Choose clothes that work with your natural curves, this way your outfit will encourage the correct proportions
Do: Look for high-waisted, straight leg pants so the eye is drawn to a thin middle
Don’t: Don shapeless or boxy styles, like baby-doll tunics or oversized cardigans
Try: Cherokee scrubs mock wrap tunic, wrap tops create a diagonal movement across the body which is more forgiving and the v-neck flatters curves without overdoing it

Rectangle or Straight: strong, broad shoulders, proportional hips and the lack of a highly defined waist.

Do: Wear a fitted jacket to “break up” the shape and create a more defined waist
Do: Select styles that cinch at the middle but flare out at the bottom to boost curves, like boot-cut pants which give the impression of all-around shapeliness
Don’t: Pick anything too flowy or unstructured like Empire-waist tops
Try: Ruffles, fluttery sleeves, and ruching help to add volume to bust and shoulders, which subsequently adds definition to the waist

Triangle or Pear: hip measurement is larger than bust measurement and a small to average sized waist, shoulders and torso are narrower than the hips.

Do: Look for dark wide-leg pants, they will slenderizes thighs while creating a longer and slimmer silhouette
Do: Opt for boatneck tops under a hip-length jacket, drawing attention to the open neckline broadens the shoulders to offset fuller hips and evens out lower body proportions
Don’t: Reach for skinny pants, they won’t create a flattering shape, along with items that are too oversized Try: Printed tops draw the eye upward, paired with a solid, dark pant to elongate, try the Cherokee scrubs ½ elastic ½ drawstring waist pant for a smooth shape

Inverted Triangle: large bust, wide shoulders, small hips (more top-heavy vs. bottom-heavy).

Do: Stay away from large prints or horizontal stripes on top
Do: Lean toward darker colors to make you appear thinner
Don’t: Go for high necklines, puffy or gathered sleeves, and prominent collars or frills, these will exaggerate width
Try: V-neck, side stretch panel tops, the contouring and vertical seaming will help create a favorable line, paired with boot cut or cargo pocket pants to “balance” overall shape

Summary: Want to know which scrub styles are best based on your body type? Create your most flattering shape with these tips so you can feel good about yourself while you are on the job helping others.

Resource: For more information, visit http://www.UniformAdvantage.com, your one-stop shop for all of your nursing uniform needs.

December 2011 Nursing Board Exam Results

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:23:00 +0000

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 22,760 out of 67,095 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Nueva Ecija, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last December 2011.

The members of the Board of Nursing are Carmencita M. Abaquin, Chairman; Leonila A. Faire, Betty F. Merritt, Perla G. Po, Marco Antonio C. Sto.Tomas, Yolanda C. Arugay and Amelia B. Rosales, Members.

DECEMBER 2011 NURSE LICENSURE EXAMINATION RESULTS

Note: All files require Adobe Reader to open.

22,760 out of 67,095 Examinees Pass December 2011 Nursing Board Exam

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:42:00 +0000

The Professional Regulation Commission - Board of Nursing announced today that 22,760 examinees passed the December 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination.

The two-day nursing board exams was administered to 67,095 examinees in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Nueva Ecija, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

The topnotcher in the exams was Jerald Lalaguna Pelayo of Mountain View College in Bukidnon who garnered a rating of 86.4 percent.

Pinoy R.N. is currently uploading the complete results in this website. Please stand by.

PRC Room Assignments for the December 2011 Nursing Board Exam

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:16:00 +0000

The December 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination is less than two weeks away. With that, the Professional Regulation Commission has released the room assignments for nursing board examinees.

Nursing board examinees are reminded to come in prescribed dress code and to report before 6:30 in the morning every examination day as late examinees will not be admitted.

Each examinee must bring the following:

Notice of Admission (NOA);
Official Receipt;
Pencils no. 1 or 2;
Black ball pens;
Metered-stamped window mailing envelope;
Long brown; and
Long plastic envelopes

Cellular phones and all other gadgets are strictly prohibited.

Free Nursing Review Apps for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:51:00 +0000

It will be November in a few days and with that, we'd like to remind everybody that the December 2011 Nursing Board Exam is just around the corner. Meaning, those who will be taking the nurse licensure examination should have streamlined their review schedules by now so that more nursing topics will be covered (and mastered) in the soonest possible time.

However, we do understand that after months of endless hours of reading nursing textbooks and attending review classes, it's hard to keep motivation levels high. Yeah, you're tired of all the studying. And sometimes, the simple act of opening your nursing review materials and textbooks induces boredom and drowsiness.

But you know what? You can do something about it. A minor tweak in your study routine will, in fact, help keep your motivation levels high and bring back the zest in your nursing review.

Remember the article we did on free nursing apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch? Well, we found more nursing applications. But this time, the nursing apps will be more beneficial to nursing students and those who are reviewing for the nursing board exam. We feel that the use of interactive nursing review apps will help keep you right on track in your review even during those times when you just don't feel like opening your textbooks or those thick compilations given by nursing review centers. The interactive approach to learning will help you understand difficult concepts and retain knowledge better.

The free nursing review apps featured in this update are developed by Lippincot Williams & Wilkins, a company that's quite popular for their medical softwares and publications. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins have developed comprehensive review books and programs for nurses and student nurses. Below are the free medical nursing review apps that will be useful for those who are reviewing for the December 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination.

Porth's Essentials of Pathophysiology Q&A - The exam-style practice questions in this app will prepare you for pathophysiology questions that might come up during the nursing board exam. Questions come with a rationale to help explain answers. There are also tools within the app to help you customize your review.

Smeltzer's Medical Surgical Nursing Q&A - The 1400+ practice questions covering 73 different content areas will help you master medical surgical nursing. If you finish answering all the practice tests and read the rationale for each question, you'll surely breeze through test items on medical surgical nursing during the nursing boards.

Taylor's Fundamentals of Nursing Q&A - This nursing application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch is actually a companion to the Fundamentals of Nursing textbook written by Carol R. Taylor. Still, even if you don't own the textbook, you can still use the app and all its 922 questions on nursing fundamentals to increase your chances of passing the December 2011 Nursing Board Exam.

Jensen's Nursing Health Assessment Q&A - What's great about this nursing review app is it lets you create personalized practice tests from 522 questions on nursing health assessment. The Jensen's Nursing Health Assessment Q&A also allows you to track your overall performance, bookmark difficult items, and even switch to reference mode for quick review sessions.

To download the free nursing review apps by Lippincot Williams & Wilkins on your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, go to the App Store and search for specific application you want to install. When the app shows up, tap install. You can also download the nursing apps through the iTunes application on your laptop or desktop.

While we are recommending the free nursing review apps listed above, remember that these are just alternative study methods. The nursing review apps are meant to supplement what you have studied in nursing school, read in your nursing textbooks, and discussed during your nursing review classes. Ergo, it would still be best that after the welcome break, you go right back to your nursing textbooks and other review materials for a more comprehensive review of nursing theories and concepts.

The December 2011 Nursing Board Exam is scheduled on December 18 & 19, 2011. For nursing board exam updates and exam review tips, visit Pinoy R.N. regularly.

You may also submit your e-mail address to our mailing list below if you prefer to receive updates via electronic mail.

Top Performing Schools in the July 2011 Nursing Board Exam

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:17:00 +0000

Here are the Top 10 Schools in the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination with 50 or more examinees and with at least 80% passing percentage:
Top 10 Schools in the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination

The table below shows how other schools ranked this year.

July 2011 NLE Result: School Performance

July 2011 Nursing Board Exam Result

noreply@blogger.com (CyNurse) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:46:00 +0000

37,513 out of 78,135 examinees passed the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination according to the list of successful examinees released by the Professional Regulation Commission - Board of Nursing today.

July 2011 Nursing Board Exam Results - COMPLETE

July 2011 Nursing Board Exam Topnotchers

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:19:00 +0000

The following examinees topped the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination held in several cities across the country last July 2 and 3, 2011.

Top 10 Examinees in the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination

July 2011 NLE Result Update: Board of Nursing Now in "Partial Quarantine"

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:13:00 +0000

Members of Board of Nursing (BoN) are now in "partial quarantine" according to BoN member Marco Antonio Sto Tomas.

"Partial quarantine" means individual members of the BoN are going on duty until 10 pm everyday to monitor and supervise the scoring of July 2011 Nursing Board Exam answer sheets.

He added that all members of the Board will go on full quarantine in the coming week (First day of the Linggo ng Wika). When all members of the BoN go on full quarantine, the release of the Nursing Board Exam Results usually follows a few weeks after.

July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination Room Assignments - BAGUIO, CABANATUAN, DAGUPAN and LA UNION

noreply@blogger.com (CyNurse) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:43:00 +0000

The Professional Regulation Commission - Baguio Regional Office (PRC-BRO) has released the July 2011 Nursing Board Exam Room Assignments for examinees in Baguio, Cabanatuan, Dagupan and La Union. Examinees are advised to contact PRC-BRO for any omissions and/or corrections.

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (BAGUIO Examinees)

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (CABANATUAN Examinees)

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (DAGUPAN Examinees)

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (LA UNION Examinees)

July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination Room Assignments - CAGAYAN DE ORO

noreply@blogger.com (CyNurse) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:32:00 +0000

PRC Room Assignments for nursing board examinees in Cagayan de Oro City are now posted. For corrections and/or omissions, July 2011 Nursing Board Exam candidates are advised to contact the PRC Regional Office where they filed their application.

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (CDO Examinees) - www.PinoyRN.co.nr

July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination Room Assignments - MANILA

noreply@blogger.com (CyNurse) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:57:00 +0000

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces the availability of the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination Room Assignments for MANILA Examinees.

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (MANILA) - www.PinoyRN.co.nr

July 2011 NLE Room Assignments (MANILA) - Removal

For more on PRC Nursing Board Exam Room Assignments and updates on the July 2011 Nursing Board Exam, visit Pinoy R.N. regularly.

General Reminders for the July 2011 Nursing Board Exam

noreply@blogger.com (CyNurse) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:41:00 +0000

The July 2011 Nursing Board Exam is scheduled on July 2 and 3, 2011.

Nursing candidates who will be taking the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination are encouraged to take note of the following reminders:

Check your school/building/room assignment at least 3 days before the July 2011 Nursing Board Exam. (note: Pinoy R.N. will be posting the July 2011 PRC NLE Room Assignments as soon as it is made available by the PRC.)
Bring your July 2011 NLE Notice of Admission when you verify your school/room assignment. Visit the examination site at least 1 day before the exam.
Remember to report to your assigned room before 6:30 a.m. on July 2, 2011. Verify your seat number immediately and wait for the proctor to start giving instructions for the exam. General instructions will be given starting 7:00 am. Late examinees will not be admitted into the examination room.
Prescribed attire

male - clinical uniform (white shoes, white socks, no name plate, no school insinia/logo/pin) or school uniform
female - clinical uniform (white shoes, white stockings, no name plate, no school insinia/logo/pin) or school uniform
pregnant female - white clinical scrub suit

Things to bring for the July 2011 Nurse Licensure Examination:

Notice of Admisson
Official Receipt
1 pc. metered-stamped window mailing envelope
No. 2 pencils
Ballpens (black ink only)
1 pc. long brown envelope
1 pc. transparent plastic long envelope (for keeping your valuables)
Non-programmable calculators

Prohibited inside the examination room:

notes, books, review materials
programmable calculators
phones, beepers, laptops or gadgets of similar kind
bags
other items generally not allowed as stated in the examinees' guide

The July 2011 Nursing Board Exam will be administered in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian, Angeles, Tuguegarao, La Union, Dagupan and Tacloban and Zamboanga. For the PRC Nursing Board Exam Room Assignments and more updates on the Nurse Licensure Examination this July 2011, visit Pinoy R.N. regularly.

VisaScreen® Certificate Renewal

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 28 May 2011 16:23:00 +0000

The VisaScreen® Certificate is a document issued by CGFNS International certifying that a health care professional has successfully completed Federal screening requirements prior to the issuance of a temporary or permanent occupational visa.

VisaScreen® Certificates are valid five years from the date of issue. Nurses who are VisaScreen® Certificate holders are advised that they MUST reapply for a certificate renewal six months before expiration of their current certificate unless they have obtained a permanent visa or has become a U.S. citizen.

VisaScreen® Certificate renewal requires that a nurse takes an approved English proficiency exam unless he or she can demonstrate at least 27-36 months of legal employment as a nurse in the United States. The applicant's employer needs to submit a signed employment summary on corporate letterhead in order for the English exam requirement to be waived.

VisaScreen® Certificate renewals can be accomplished online or by mail. To download the renewal application form and read more about VisaScreen® Certificate renewal cost and application requirements, log on to CGFNS.org

Pinoy R.N. Launches Q&A Website

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Ever since its conception, Pinoy R.N. has provided up-to-date nursing news and information as well as various nursing tools and how-to guides for Filipino nurses and student nurses. In the six years that this blog has been running, we have continually explored new ways to improve this site and its services.

In line with our goal to connect with our colleagues in the nursing profession, Pinoy R.N. is pleased to announced the launch of a new service called Ask Pinoy R.N. (www.pinoyrn.net).

It is an extension of Pinoy R.N. which will serve as an information hub where nurses and student nurses converge. Ask Pinoy R.N. is a question and answer (Q&A) website created to facilitate transfer of knowledge among members of the Filipino nursing community.

Ask Pinoy R.N. employs a community-driven approach to sharing information. The idea behind this website is anchored on the concept of 'bayanihan' -- the Filipino's natural tendency to help his fellowman for a common goal.

Users are encouraged to both submit questions to be answered and answer questions asked by other users. Simply put, you can ask questions on any nursing topic and get answers from fellow nurses and student nurses.

To get started, all you need is an e-mail address. Registration is free so you can immediately start sharing nursing-related information. We have prepared an FAQ for your convenience.

We hope you support Ask Pinoy R.N. by posting questions or by replying to queries that you know the answer to. It would also delight us immensely if you can help us promote this project through Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites. After all, we are one in aspiring for a vibrant, informed, and empowered Filipino nursing community.

Cheers!

POEA Warns Nurses Against Job Offers in Belgium

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:59:00 +0000

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has issued a statement advising Filipino Nurses to be wary of recruiters offering job placements in Belgium following similar warnings from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Brussels.

While it acknowledged an existing nursing shortage in Belgium, the POEA clarified that Filipino Nurses are not qualified to work there citing a directive issued by the European Commission in 2005.

Pinoy R.N. obtained a copy of the POEA Advisory. It is posted below for reference.

POEA Advisory 15_2011 - www.PinoyRN.co.nr

Nursing Resources at the iTunes U

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Let's face it, studying can be a drag sometimes. There are days when we feel we can't read another page of those textbooks and compilations or can't listen to that not-so-lively lecturer who has a very monotonous voice for another minute.

People we complain to about how tedious nursing review can be might tell us to just drop everything and have a break or take some time off from those nursing theories and concepts. It's a pretty sensible advice if time is in our hands.

But sadly, time isn't always in our hands. There's that nursing test one has to ace in order to be promoted to senior year, the case study one has to research on, or that disease process that needed mastering because it might come up during the time-pressured foreign nursing exam.

Fortunately, we now live in modern times and thanks to technology, there are other ways to learn nursing concepts and principles aside from the traditional textbook and classroom approach. Technology and the internet has reinvented the ways we learn new things so we don't have to stay strapped to our desks for days on end or be limited to the classroom setting.

For instance, there's this thing called iTunes U, a service in the ubiquitous iTunes Store designed to create, manage, and distribute educational audio and video content at no cost to the person uploading or downloading it. With this free service, Filipino nursing students and registered nurses can access lectures by nursing professors from the United States.

One valuable nursing resource at iTunes U is the series of lectures by Professor Chris Henshaw of the Seattle Pacific University Health and Sciences Department on Basic Nursing Theories . She covered basic nursing concepts and nursing assessment. We, at Pinoy R.N., particularly enjoyed her lectures on CVA and Diabetes.

Another nursing resource is the Basic Nursing Skills lectures by the Birmingham City University Faculty of Health. If you need to reinforce previous learnings on how to administer intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, you'll love these set of lectures.

iTunes U has been around since May 2007 and right now, there are hundreds of thousands of educational files available for download. There are over 200 nursing lectures in the iTunes University and a good number of them are produced by internationally-recognized nursing academic institutions.

iTunes University transfers a wealth of nursing knowledge to nurses and student nurses across the globe. So, when studying or learning nursing material, remember that you don't have to be strapped to your desk or glued to your textbooks. With the vast nursing resources available at iTunes U, you can study for your nursing exams or read on your coursework anytime and anywhere.

To get started on iTunes U, download and install iTunes on your computer. After which, create an iTunes Store account. iTunes U and other resources are accessible through the Apple iTunes Store.

Study: Multi-Colored Scrubs Improve Children's Perception of Nurses

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Article by Josh Weiss
Guest Writer

There are many studies and experiments about different aspects of nursing and healthcare that are published in various journals and clinical references. It’s hard to sift through them all to find the ones that are applicable to you, and interest you. Sometimes they’re interesting enough to make you look twice. Sometimes you’ll even read the whole study in depth. But rarely do they make you sit up and exclaim, “Let’s go shopping! I need new medical scrubs!” In the April 2009 Journal of Clinical Nursing, there was an article that made nurses do just that. It was titled “Use of non-conventional nurses’ attire in a paediatric hospital: a quasi-experimental study.” To many, the whole concept of conducting a study on medical scrubs was intriguing, and the outcome was, in a nutshell, that children respond well to colored medical scrubs. Before this, many nurses had selected medical scrubs based on their own likes and dislikes. It was stunning to think that of all things, nursing scrubs might make a difference on their affect on a patient.

The article went on to describe a study conducted at the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence. The experiment surveyed children between the ages of six and sixteen in two wards of the pediatric hospital who were introduced to multi-colored nurses’ attire. The children and their parents’ varied reactions to the medical scrubs were studied using open questions and semantic differential scales (SDS). They were evaluated compared to gender and age matched controls interviewed before the introduction. Parents were also interviewed. This was the first study done of its kind.

One hundred twelve hospitalized children and their parents were studied. The percentage of positive words used by children to define their nurse was higher in children interviewed after the introduction of non-conventional nursing uniforms by a percentage of 96.2% to 81.8%. Children’s perception of nurses was significantly improved by the use of multi-colored attire. Parents’ perceptions of the nurses’ capability to reassure their children and adequately carry out their responsibilities also improved.

The results showed that multicolored, unconventional medical scrubs improve how children perceive nurses. This in turn makes the children, or any patient, more comfortable. The children expected the nurses dressed in unconventional scrubs to be friendly, helpful, and pleasant. They even expected these nurses to be cheerful and funny. The use of non-conventional nursing scrubs therefore has the potential to ease the anxiety of children due to hospitalization. It also improves the parent’s perception of the reliability of the nurse.

Every nurse wants to do her best to satisfy her patients, and this is such a simple way to bring a smile to a child’s face. In fact, it can be surmised that colored medical scrubs can have an effect on any patient, not only children. It is well known that different colors can often signify different meanings, but that is something that nurses rarely take into account when purchasing medical scrubs.

The original starched white nurses’ uniform was said to convey an air of professionalism and cleanliness. Nursing scrubs became common once doctors began to shed their conventional street clothes for comfortable cotton shirts and pants to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs. Medical scrubs have since gone through a range of colors. White, although thought to be sterile, was easily susceptible to stains and blood spatters. Green soon took its place, as it was thought to be gentler on the eye. Various shades of blue followed. Today, medical scrubs are available in a huge assortment of colors and prints. White is still considered the more formal version of medical apparel.

When shopping for medical scrubs, bear in mind that some colors may subconsciously signify different meanings. Black may be thought of as a symbol of death, with red being associated with the obvious blood. On the other hand, blue is thought to be soothing.

In general, the above study and general experience has shown that soft colors are calming, with bright colors and prints bringing life and a cheerful feeling to what may be a dismal situation. Nurses in the OR and other areas of high pressure tend to wear scrubs in pastel or muted colors that are calming for anxious patients. In obstetrics, pink and blue pastel scrubs may bring a smile to a new mother’s face. Pediatrics can benefit the most from bright, cheerful scrubs. These uniforms can break the ice with a withdrawn patient, and help to establish a bond of trust.

Some scrub manufacturers produce lines specifically to suit this need, such as a line of Cherokee scrubs called Tooniforms. These medical scrubs are adorned with well-known characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Disney princesses, and others. They can also be obtained in prints that alternate with the seasons. Nurses should, however, be careful to check with the dress code that is provided for their department before purchasing unconventional medical scrubs.

Many nurses can identify with the feeling of walking into a child’s room and seeing a smile light up his face as he points in glee to the character emblazoned across your front. His parents, too, may allow a smile to crack on their tired faces when they see their son’s delight. There’s no other feeling like it in the world. Aside for doing what they’re paid to do, nurses have the power to make a child’s day. All by wearing the right medical scrubs.

Nurses work hard, and just wearing medical scrubs that are pleasing to the eye can make their job easier. Colored and printed medical scrubs can help put pediatrics, geriatrics, and all patients at ease. As with any apparel, well made medical scrubs can also make the nurse herself feel good, and this can in turn affect the way she treats her patients. It’s a simple choice that can go a long way.

Josh Weiss is an expert in medical scrubs, and recommends Medical Scrubs Collection as a great online source for the purchase of scrubs. They carry a wide selection of Dickies scrubs, Barco scrubs, and more at affordable prices, with excellent customer service.

Upcoming Nursing Seminars

noreply@blogger.com (Lyle, RN) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:17:00 +0000

Here are nursing seminars scheduled for the next two months as announced by the Philippine Nurses Association's Committee on Continuing Education.

March 15 Aspiration: Preventing a Deadly Complication in Vulnerable Population
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

March 18 Coronary Artery Disease
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

March 21-24 Advanced Cardiac Life Support Program
8:00am-5:00pm
4,000php- registration fee

March 25 Drug Administration Principles
and Computation
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

March 29 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

March 31 Metabolic Syndrome
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 1 Marfan Syndrome: Inherited Disorderhas far Reaching Effects
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 4 Bladder Management after Spinal Cord Injury
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 5 Pain and Its Management
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 13 Hepatitis C: Prevention, Assessment and Treatment
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 15 HIV / AIDS
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 25-28 Advanced Cardiac Life Support Program
8:00am-5:00pm
4,000php- registration fee

April 28 Biochemical Terrorism
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

April 29 End-of-Life Care: Easing the Transition
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

May 4 Diabetes Mellitus Type II: Whats the Buzz
8:00am-12:00pm
Registration Fee: 400php - members
500php - nonmembers

Nurses interested in signing up for the seminars are instructed to the contact the PNA-CPE through Mr. Nicole at tel. nos. 521-0937 and 400-4430 local 1006.

Seminars may be canceled or postponed so registration must be made at least 1 week before the published dates.

The venue for all seminars listed is at the PNA Auditorium at 1663 F.T Benitez St., Malate, Manila.