by Reynald P. Kyamko

Among the fields of study, healthcare, especially nursing, has drawn significant interest among students. The appeal comes from the fact that the demand for Nursing professionals in the country and even in the international job market continues to grow. As a result, nursing schools have sprouted to meet the demand while existing educational institutions have expended their nursing programs. The promise of immediate employment after completion of the degree is just too enticing for any nursing student to pass up. The graduates, unfortunately for the nation, do not stay long enough in their own land. Health experts are warning of a crisis in public health care not only due to the exodus of nurses for high-paying jobs abroad, but also because even doctors are taking nursing courses and leaving the country.

As nursing schools dominate across the country at present times, it is not surprising that education standards in these schools are falling. A report said less than ten percent of educational institutions that offer nursing courses produce graduates who score higher than 80 percent in the nursing board exam. The average scores in several schools were lower than 20 percent.

Due to the rapid increase in the number of nursing schools, education officials have found it difficult to monitor the quality of Nursing programs being offered. Education officials will have to move quickly to raise program standards. Let’s face it; the Nursing course does not come cheap; one semester in a reputable college can cost over P30,000. Tuition fee alone can eat up the life savings of an average family. For the poor, a nursing course is out of the question, unless the prospective Nurse can obtain full scholarship.

Because so much is pinned on a future nurse, and so much money, time and effort are invested in the Nursing course, the government should make sure that students get their money’s worth. Whether graduates work abroad or in their own country, the quality of their nursing education will show. And if the quality of Philippine nurses deteriorates, demand will shift to nurses from other countries. At home, public health nurses can only suffer further when nursing skills slide.

The current Nursing professionals, especially those engaged in the field of nursing education, must take an action to stop that trend. They must continue to ensure that the nursing curriculum remains up-to-date and its delivery is done effectively to constantly produce a competent pool of nursing graduates.