Life after Graduating from Nursing

Nasa bagong phase na ako ng buhay ko after graduating from Nursing 2 years ago. Right after graduation nga, dumating ‘yung puntong naglaro sa isip ko ‘yung tanong na “Where do I go from here?”

Siyempre, ‘yung diretsong sagot ng iba eh ito: magtraining muna ng BLS/ACLS at IVT para magkaroon ng certifications for such. Ito kasi usually ‘yung basic requirements para makapagtraining na mismo sa hospitals (as a trainee nurse, siyempre) at eventually maging qualified for a staff nurse position. Kapag naging staff nurse na, pwede nang magtrabaho at makakuha ng experience. At kapag may enough hospital experience na (e.g., 2-3 years), pwede nang mag-apply ng trabaho abroad at kumita ng mas malaking sweldo. Oh eh di siyempre, ano pa ba ang kasunod ng pagkakaroon ng maraming pera? (Hindi ko na sasagutin; alam niyo na ‘yung sagot dun, at hindi lahat ng sagot natin pare-pareho ;))

So ayun, napansin niyo ba ‘yung “usual flow” nung process after graduation? Graduation → Training → Have enough hospital experience → Work abroad. See? Kung iisipin natin, most of us have this perceived “structured process” na dapat nating gawin after graduating from Nursing. Na parang we’ve been programmed to believe na dapat ‘yan lang ang gawin natin… na anything na magdedeviate from that flow eh mali… ‘yung tipong “you’re on the wrong path.” For example, kapag sinabing nurse, dapat nagtatrabaho sa hospital; kung hindi, ang sasabihin, “sayang naman ‘yung pinag-aralan mo ng apat na taon kung hindi ka rin lang magtatrabaho bilang nurse sa hospital.” Pero take note na sa Nursing, pinag-aaralan din ‘yung iba’t ibang pwedeng maging role ng isang nurse, e.g., occupational health nurse (company nurse), nurse educator, nurse researcher, etc. Nakalulungkot isipin na maraming Pilipino (especially ‘yung parents or relatives ng mga nag-aral ng Nursing) ang may ganitong paniniwala. Na parang ina-associate lang ang success ng pagiging isang nurse sa pagkakaroon ng hospital experience (and consequently ng work abroad). On this note, pwede naman nating intindihin kung bakit ganito na lang ‘yung paniniwala ng iba kasi nga kapag may hospital experience ka, higher ‘yung chances mong makapag-abroad.

Pero kung tutuusin, wala namang masama sa process na ito practicality wise at lalo na kung naging nurse ka kasi gusto mo talagang maging nurse. Pero paano ‘yung mga napilitan lang… ‘yung mga nag-aral ng Nursing kasi ‘yun ‘yung gusto ng parents… or ‘yung mga graduate nurses na may change of plans? With this “structured process” na pwedeng madeviate ng iba, may chance na magkaroon sila ng stigma.

And if, by chance, you are one of them, know that it’s okay. It’s okay not to continue with being a nurse if you don’t want to. It’s okay to go after what you love instead. You know how it feels like to do something you’re only forced to; now, do yourself a favor and pursue your dreams, not the dreams your parents or other people have for you. Siguro nga, marami kang madidisappoint kung gagawin mo ‘yun, pero remember that “you” and “your dreams” should come first and are a priority, too. However, I’m not saying you quit and leave everything behind at once, kasi some of you may have practical concerns and other considerations din. I’m just saying that you are allowed to choose. At kahit sa anumang situations ‘yan aside from Nursing, remember that you are allowed to choose. So, chin up, my dear! There’s always hope. 😉