New group seeks to provide better opportunities for nurses here

Skimming through the classified ads section of newspapers, one could not help but notice the proliferation of job openings for nurses in various parts of the world, resulting to the unending exodus of Filipino nurses abroad.

"The unlimited nursing career opportunities and quality working environment offered by hospitals in other countries are the prime reasons nurses leave the Philippines," explains Salome Millan-Dalao, RN BSN, Patient Care Manager for Nursing Resources of Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC). "Admittedly, foreign employers offer attractive working conditions and policies specifically on recognition and awards," adds Dalao, an alumna of the Mary Chiles School of Nursing and the Philippine Women’s University, who has a vast nursing experience here and abroad.

Filipino nurses are the preferred professional caregivers because of their intelligence, caring attitude and dedication at work. These traits have made them prime members of the healthcare workforce mainly in the USA, Canada, Europe, Singapore and the Middle East.

With this in mind, AHMC sets the pace in the nursing profession by setting a new approach that will hopefully encourage the retention of highly qualified nurses, not to mention convince those working abroad to consider practicing in the Philippines.

"We have developed a Competency-based Performance Enhancement System for AHMC nurses and employees, states Dalao, a lifetime member of the Philippine Society of Quality Assurance in Health Care and the Operating Room Nurses Assocaition of the Philippines among others. Under this system, AHMC envisions a "center for nursing excellence" where nurses are attracted to the hospital because of its international standard environment and its vision, thus serving as a "magnet hospital for nurses."

Dalao also says that AHMC will offer an excellent training facility for newly graduate nurses and student nurses alike. More importantly, nurses will be empowered as healthcare delivery partners of the physicians, focusing on the patient and the family from admission to discharge and home care. This is in line with the hospital’s philosophy of providing "patient-centered care in a total healing environment."

The basic requirements for AHMC nurses are the Four C’s – caring, compassionate, committed and competent. Pre-employment screens will be conducted to determine the applicant’s clinical as well as interpersonal skills. Scheduled to open by the last quarter of the year, AHMC welcomes nurses to be part of its innovative philosophy in patient care and to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos.

Interested nurses may forward their inquiries to the Office of the Nursing Resource Services (NuRse), Mezzanine 4, South Center Tower, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City, or log on to AHMC’s website at www.asianhospital.com for more details.