CHERRY SAVANNAH P.

ABENOJAR BSN II-2

Dr. Maria Jesusa Lourdes D. Rodolfo July 14, 2011

JOURNAL READINGS: PROJECT ENTREPRENURSE

Abstract: There has been a boom of nurses in the Philippines, resulting to the increase of unemployment in the country. And yet, there are still a lot of areas all over the country that has not received a proper health care. However, the Department of Labor and Employment gave a solution to these problems: the Project EntrpreNurse. In collaboration with BON-PRC, DOH, PNA, UPCN, OHNAP and other entities, this project aims to provide a viable resolution to the unemployment of Filipino nurses and lack of health care services to poor rural communities. Project EntrepreNurse introduces the concept of nursing entrepreneurship, wherein nurses form among themselves a nurse cooperative and is supervised by senior nurses. Newly registered nurses will be deployed to far-flung communities to render services through a nurse clinic, home health care, and community-based pharmacy (botika sa baranggay). With this, they strive not only to improve the socio-economic status of the members and the welfare of their patients, but also corresponds to achieve the Millennium Development Goals specifically on Maternal Child Health, Nutrition and HIV/Aids and other infections.

Insights: As discussed in Unit I, we learned of the latest programs and projects in relation to community health nursing, and one it is EntrepreNurse. There are also others like NARS Program and RN HEALS. These three programs have a common goal: to improve the current unemployment of Filipino nurses and health care system in poor rural communities. Though not my initial reaction, I realized that there programs are closely related to each other. In 2009, NARS Program (Nurses Assigned in Rural Services) was implemented under the Arroyo Administration to save and create as many jobs as possible and expand social protection. Its general aim is to improve delivery of health care services to our population and create a pool of registered nurses with enhanced clinical and preventive health management

competencies for national public and private sector employment. In collaboration with DOLE, DOH and PRC-BON, the program had succeeded to provide temporary employment to 11,000 nurses in 1,000 poverty-stricken municipalities in the duration of six months all over the country. It has made quite an impact on the rural health situation in a short span of time. In continuation to the NARS Program, RN HEALS (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) was launched by DOLE, in collaboration with DSWD, DOH, PRC-BON, PNA, DILG and LGUs. With similar goals to NARS Program, it deploys 10,000 nurses nationwide where DSWDs Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) is being implemented as well as DOH Basic Emergency Maternal Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEMONC) facilities are being strengthened for a span of one year. Also initiated by DOLE, Project EntrepreNurse has similar objectives to NARS Program and RN HEALS, but is more on a long term basis because with a stable financial base and productivity of EN Cooperatives, EntrepreNurse can continue to provide jobs to nurses; a cooperative for the nurses and by the nurses.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Project EntrepreNurse serves as a good alternative to respond in the increase of unemployment of nurses in the Philippines. It also helps to improve health situation in poor rural communities through the services brought by EN Coops and achieve MDGs concerning the health sector. It still needs improvement but with good management, advocacy and cooperation with all the departments and groups concerned, EntrepreNurse can be a great success.

Recommendation: Project EntrepreNurse, though it answers to nurses socio-economic status, faces problems such as lack of proper funding, lack of senior nurses and increase drop-out rates in the members of EN Coops. As a Filipino nurse we should uphold programs such as EntrepreNurse for it does not only provide jobs to RNs, it allows them the opportunity to develop their chosen profession here in the Philippines and give service to their fellow countrymen. It will always be hard in the beginning but if we persevere, this project can give satisfaction work-wise and money-wise.

References: BicolNurses.Org. [http://bicolnurses.blogspot.com/2011/01/rn-heals-registered-nurses-forhealth.html]. 2011. Department of Labor and Employment. [http://www.dole.gov.ph/secondpage.php?id=23]. 2009. Pagaran, Kerwin M. DOLE XI. Project EntrpreNurse (a wriiten report and review). 24 May 2011.