Zahra A. Jara

A research paper for my client in Saudi Arabia How long does it take to become a nurse in the Philippines? You need to take Pre-school program for about 1-2 years followed by Elementary School for six years, Junior High School for about four years, Senior High School for two years with the academic track of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and lastly, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing which is a 4-year course here in the Philippines. It takes 18 years before you become a Registered Nurse in the Philippines. What Do Nurses Do? Observing and recording patients’ behavior. Coordinating with physicians and other healthcare professionals for creating and evaluating customized care plans. In order to provide emotional and psychological support to the patients and their families, RNs create harmonious environment. Diagnosing the disease by analyzing patient’s symptoms and taking required actions for his/her recovery. Maintaining reports of patients’ medical histories, and monitoring changes in their condition. Carrying out the requisite treatments and medications. Directing and supervising Nursing Assistants or Orderly. Checking the stock on a regular basis for maintaining the inventory level, and placing orders if required. Adhering with the protocols, rules and regulations in order to maintain complete medical records. Maintaining hygienic and safe working environment in compliance with the healthcare procedures. Conducting research for improving the nursing practices and healthcare outcomes. Providing instant care during medical emergencies, like car accidents, burns, heart attacks and strokes. Discussing treatment with pharmacists and physicians in the critical cases. Providing necessary guidance on health maintenance and disease prevention. Keeping an eye on each and every aspect of patient care that includes physical activity plus proper diet. Preparing patients for examinations. Educating patients’ families about the disease and its treatment. Assisting doctors during surgery. Resolving patients’ problems and fulfilling their requirements by applying multifaceted team strategy. Interacting with the healthcare teams for maintaining harmonious relationships. Attending educational workshops for enhancing professional and technical knowledge. Performing laboratory work and giving complete information to the physician about patient’s condition during anesthesia. Recommending drugs and other forms of treatment, like inhalation therapy, physical therapy, etc. Hence, an RN performs a wide range of tasks from Pediatric to Geriatric, in order to provide adequate nursing services, which makes them a key person for doctors and patients. What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Nurse? Graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree Must be a board passer under the Nursing Licensure Exam of Professional Regulation Commission in the Philippines. Must be able to take trainings such: Basic Life Support, Advance Cardiac Life Support and ECG Reading. Must be a Licensed holder of Intravenous Therapy How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Nurse? In order to be a Registered Nurse in the Philippines, you must graduate in a credible nursing program like Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Usually, it is 4 years long and provide you with the much required and detailed knowledge about nursing skills, health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, patient care and much more that you need to know in order to be practically treating a patient. Once you have graduated a nursing program and passed the examination conducted by the country board, you are entitled to be a Registered Nurse (RN) in Philippines How much it cost for different degrees in Nursing? Master of Arts in Nursing Total Cost for a year: $1000 (private) $660 (public) PhD in Nursing Total Cost for entire program: $2300 (private) $1040 (public) How I get a degree in critical care nursing specialty and what is the cost? There is no available degree that specialized in Critical Care Nursing in the Philippines. However, you can attend a training that provides a certificate which is the Basic Critical Care Nursing Course, it is only a 5 days program and it will only coast you $120. Only Critical Care Nurse Association of the Philippines (CCNAPI) offers this kind of training in the Philippines. How about the option for a Filipino doctor that wants to get a nursing degree, how much it will cost her/him? The process is still the same for a Filipino doctor who wants to take nursing, they cannot shorten the Major subjects, they still need to take those units regardless if they are already a Licensed Physician. However, the minor subjects that they took during their Med-school are not required to take while they are studying Nursing since they already had a Pre-Med degree. Total cost per year will be around $1,600 to $2000 per year. Top Nursing School in the Philippines with total cost per year: University of the Philippines- $1000 University of Sto Tomas- $2400 Saint Louis University- $1600 Trinity University of Asia (Trinity QC)- $2400 Mariano Marcos State University- $1200 Cebu Normal University- $1800 Bicol University-Legazpi- $1000 West Visayas State University- La Paz- $1000