sometimes I wonder...

Professionalism in the Philippines

Professionalism. Our clinical instructor was asking our own definition of professionalism and the first thing that came through my mind was "degree holder". Turns out, my classmates also have this same thought. 

Professionalism is actually the combination of knowledge, skills, and attitude equivalent to competence.

I see, now that is what professionalism is. Let us dissect these three requirements: knowledge, skills and attitude.

• knowledge- I think this refers to gaining a degree, for you to be officially and legitimately called a PROFESSIONAL.And of course, you had to have the standard knowledge and the advanced knowledge for you to be called a professional.
• skills- These are REALLY important. For you to work effectively and efficiently, you've got to have the skills. Work to gain these skills for your profession.
• attitude- this is a very important element in a professional. Your attitude should fit with you profession. Your knowledge and skills will be useless if you don't have the right attitude. In fact, this is required everywhere!

So how is professionalism in the Philippines? I've heard from the news about teachers harassing their students, salesperson talking back at the customer, a policeman who committed rape, arson and etc., health care workers who are involved with an abortion and so on...

Well that's bothersome, I am really hoping to maintain my professionalism when I will become an officially registered nurse someday. I admit, most of their reasons usually involve money matters, life is really hard here in the Philippines and many of us live with "isang kahig-isang tuka". Yet, this is still WRONG. There is no such thing as a wrong being right. I mean, what you've done unprofessionally has its damage, it's effect on the other person, the people involved or even yourself.Plus you have tainted the profession's name, surely the negative outcomes will outnumber the positive ones. 

Ok, let us look into the bright side of things. Filipinos are known all over the world for the hardworking yet cheerful service they provide. And that is a good thing to be proud of, we Filipinos have the attitude! When it also comes to the knowledge and skills, we Filipinos are also competitive. We are the third largest English speaking country in the world and that makes me even more proud. Filipinos are known as fast learners too, diligent that we are we strive to reach that goal we believe in. I certainly hope all of these traits will not go in vain because of a single error that will destroy our professionalism.Certain important things are to be considered such as ethics so as a professional, we have to do what is expected of us appropriately.I guess each profession has its own standards of professional practice and I think doing a few reads won't make you ignorant of this anymore. 

Anyway, I've learned a lot from our class especially the topic about nursing professionalism and ethics. Now I'm not ignorant anymore, so it will really help to educate yourself with the ethics involved in your profession.

Good luck :)