Pulse Circle

Can I bum a stick?

Many issues involving the youth had been driven out. Youth are hooked in all grounds, with the great influence brought by this modernized world. Exposed to pleasure as well as to violence. Likely to be updated in everything that is happening in the society, involved in the different kinds of group (wether it's bad or good), and a lot more. Name it!

What a sad thing to know that teens nowadays are very different. It is hard to believe that the youth is considered endangered species not by means of losing it's kind but by means of losing hope for the future.

A typical example was scene I happend to witness outside our school premises almost everyday. As I went down the way where I waited for a ride, I noticed some teens/students smoking.

Kuya Eric on his new entry said One of the most common problem the Filipino youth is facing today is teenage smoking. Despite the health warnings in cigarette packs, this problem is still common, especially in the urban areas. The Philippine government has done little to totally eradicate this problem.

It's very well aside... I'd bet, he's right!

I wondered what on earth was the use of cigarette- as far as I know, it cost 2 pesos per stick and here's a punch- it can destroy your health.

I searched the internet about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking for teens. For my blog sake! *lol .. And as a care provider... Nursing student kuno eh! Hhehehe

Health Effects of Smoking Among Young People
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Among young people, the short-term health consequences of smoking include respiratory and nonrespiratory effects, addiction to nicotine, and the associated risk of other drug use. Long-term health consequences of youth smoking are reinforced by the fact that most young people who smoke regularly continue to smoke throughout adulthood.1

Cigarette smokers have a lower level of lung function than those persons who have never smoked.1

Smoking reduces the rate of lung growth.1

In adults, cigarette smoking causes heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that early signs of these diseases can be found in adolescents who smoke.1

Smoking hurts young people's physical fitness in terms of both performance and endurance—even among young people trained in competitive running.1

On average, someone who smokes a pack or more of cigarettes each day lives 7 years less than someone who never smoked.2

The resting heart rates of young adult smokers are two to three beats per minute faster than nonsmokers.1

Smoking at an early age increases the risk of lung cancer. For most smoking-related cancers, the risk rises as the individual continues to smoke.1

Teenage smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost three times as often as teens who don't smoke, and produce phlegm more than twice as often as teens who don't smoke.3

Teenage smokers are more likely to have seen a doctor or other health professionals for an emotional or psychological complaint.3

Teens who smoke are three times more likely than nonsmokers to use alcohol, eight times more likely to use marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine. Smoking is associated with a host of other risky behaviors, such as fighting and engaging in unprotected sex.1

The leakage issue during the 2006 June Nurses Licensure Exam that causes the delay for the result may have taken the backseat. The wait is over. Finally, the result came out. Our school earned a 14% passing rate. I overheard that it's the second to the lowest [ranked] among nursing schools in the entire Philippines. Bad... Bad... Bad... Only four examiners from the school passed out of 29 who took the exam. Ngayon lang to nangyari. It was June 2004 NLE when our school got a hundred percent passing rate. Why it happened?

One writer said: When we produce graduates that do not fair well during national examinations, we immediately assume either of the two things- the downfall is do because the students do not do their part while studying in the school or the academe isn't apt to produce competent graduates any longer. The question abides, is it possible that the two do not do both their duties? Or at the very least are not given chance to do so? The obligation (and such a strong word) of the students is to learn well, make use the facilities offered by the school and prepare for opportunities after college. The administration on the other hand, has to assume the following responsibilities: teach well, supply and make available necessary facilities to further our education, and prepare us for and render us opportunities while in and after college. So that the success for sure it will be sure swing both ways.

3:18 PM

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Posted Friday, July 21, 2006

Unang una sa lahat, gusto kong liwanagin na hindi sarili ko ang tinutukoy ko sa mababasa niyo sa ibaba. It's just an art. Hayan! Basa ka na...

Sa totoo lang, ayoko na sana isulat to. Ang korney eh. Pero okey lang, wala rin naman akong pakialam. Ikanga, nagpakatotoo lang. Heto ilang taon na ring nakatayo, nagmumuni-muni, nagmamasid, nagpapapansin, nakikipulso.. ni hindi mo nga magawang kumibo. Simple lang naman ako eh, parang poste ng kuryente dyan sa kantong tinatambayan mo- dinadaanan lang- na minsan pa nga'y inihian mo. Oooops! Teka lang muna, hwag mo naman sanang kalimutan.. Nagsisilbi rin naman akong ilaw dyan sa kanto. Nagbibigay liwanag at nang ika'y makaiwas sa mga kapit-bahay mong basugalero. Mga taong naging bitamina na ang serbesa. Sabay hithit-buga ng yosing para sa kanila'y nagsisilbing oksihina. Na siya namang pinagbalingan ng gobyerno at ngayo' tinataasan ang presyo.

Naalala mo pa ba nung tayo pa? Siyempre- lambingan, tuksuhan, tawanan, iyakan.. Haaay! Ang sarap rin palang ungkatin ang nakaraan. Sabagay, naging parte na rin ng buhay. Psssst! Andito na naman ate mo. Nakikipagsabayan an pagtaas ng kilay at sungay. Sobrang napakasungit. Palibhasa, walang manliligaw. Okey lang, di nya kasi ako type. Pahingi na lang isang basong tubig, pampakalma lang. Sobrang napakapraktikal ng ate mo.Gusto nya para sayo yung kapitbahay nyong mayamang tsinito. Oo nga naman, anong laban ko sa mas gwapo, matalino, mayaman pa, halos nasa kanya na lahat. Ano pa ang hinahanap mo? Oo inaamin ko. Talo ako! Di kita kayang bilhan ng napakagandang rosas o mamahaling tsokolate. Samantalang ako, isaw lang ang maooffer ko sayo. Tsinelas lang kaya kong bilhin, aba syempre kung mananalo sa last two. Pero kaya kong ibigay sayo ang pagmamahal na gusto mo pero hindi sa materyal na bagay.

Napapagod ang tao. Di ko na kaya. Nangangawit na ang mga kamay kong pilit kumakabit, di ko na makaya ng tiis at sakit na dinudulot nito. Di ako manhid, alam kong may gusto ka rin sa kanya. Hanggang nawalan na ako ng pag-asa. Wala rin akong magagawa. Gusto ko sanang wakasan, pagkat di ko na kaya. Hwag mo na intindihin, matulog ka na lang. Hindi naman kaya ng puso mo.

Isang taon na rin ang lumipas nang umalis ako dyan sa nayon. Hindi dahil sa nagbreak tayo. Kelangan ko kasing makipagsapalaran sa Maynila. Ang tumal na nang kita sa palengke at madalas tagtuyo. Di na rin lumalago ang taniman sa bukid. Mahal rin kasi ang renta sa lupa. Hindi na nga nakakakita ng kalahati. Mahina na rin sina inang at itang. Kelangan ko pang mapagtapos ang sampo ko pang kapatid. Lahat pinasukan ko, makapagpadala lang ng pera dyan. Kargador ako sa pier tuwing umaga at waiter sa isang bar tuwing gabi. Lahat ginawa ko na, mapagkakitaan lang ng pera. Kahit katawan at kaluluwa ko pa. Minsan nga'y nagawa kong magnakaw at magtulak ng druga. Hindi madali ang buhay.

Punyemas naman kasi. Mahirap ring isinilang kang salat sa yaman. Mahirap ring nakabalot sa lupa ng kawalan.

1:22 PM

pulse circ

THE LONG QUEUE SAYS IT ALL

The second floor of the B Building of our school fronting the the club/organizational floor mounted in the pathway where students waited their turn for the I.D. picture taking. It is a certified box-office activities. I was there this morning but unfortunately, I did not get a slot. Grrrrr.. ! In the world of mighty e everything is wired, digitalized and on-line, seems that anything in this world is going to be an instant coffee at the click of the mouse. That's why in just 2 minutes or less, our new school I.D. is ready to wear. What-a high tech!

The new school I.D. has a background picture of the new building, a comic sans script sling, computerize signature, etc. Truth of the matter is, much of a difference, really, compared to the previous one. I couldn't help but wonder, did it all matter in the end? My perception of the students apathy did not budge. Did they care at all or did they realize it would be a waste of time? Like what happened to me a while ago. *Kakainis! Perchance the most stalwalt claim students unfortunately overlook and underrate is the right to choose or demand choice. Every year, we pay for the school I.D and some don't even bothered to wear it. Sayang naman! I'm guilty with what I am saying. Yeah right! I'm one among students who dont love to wear I.D. Wanna know why? I'd think it's a bit waste of time wearing that stuff beacuse I.D. is not a must in our school.

A student could enter the school without complete uniform. What's the use of the guard? Decoration… It's my fervent hope that there should be a strict observance for students coming in and out of the school. Sana naging president na lang ako ng CSC! *lol

NLE June 2006 Leakage Issue

If you are not aware, there was a cheating scandal on the nursing board exam in the Philippines. Because of this, several years of work to bring NCLEX to the Philippines has evaporated. Since the Filipino government is unwilling to address this issue, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (the body that administers NCLEX) has elected not to have a testing site in the Philippines. At the July executive board meeting of the NCSBN, a proposal to have the Philippines as testing site was to be discussed. Because of this cheating scandal, that proposal was never discussed. Hence one can assume that the Phlippines will not be an NCLEX testing site. For those who took the tainted exams and passed, there will forever be a cloud over their results. Did they pass fairly or not? Here's PNAA's position on this matter:

POSITION STATEMENT ON: THE INTEGRITY OF THE PHILIPPINE RN LICENSING EXAMINATION Mission The Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) is an internationally recognized professional nursing organization, established in 1979, consisting of thirty five (35) constituent chapters across the United States, including Hawaii, with membership representing thousands of Philippine nurses practicing in the country. The mission of PNAA is to unify Filipino nurses in the USA; uphold the positive image, welfare and prerogatives of its members; promote professional competence and quality healthcare; collaborate with other nursing and healthcare organizations to address issues of mutual concern and act on initiatives to enhance the future of the nursing profession and healthcare. Position Statement In accordance with its mission, and on behalf of nurses world-wide, the PNAA asserts the following, in response to the threatened erosion of the integrity of the RN Licensure Examination in the Philippines conducted in June 2006: PNAA deplores and condemns any dishonest, abhorrent or criminal act, including the alleged leakage of the Philippine nurse licensing examination, that threatens to erode and undermine the trust and respect accorded to Filipino professional nurses by their colleagues and the public that they serve in the global health care arena. PNAA cannot allow the dishonesty and unethical practices of a few people to erode the integrity of the licensing system and tarnish the credibility of the honest majority. PNAA believes that the questionable integrity of the licensing examination, which validates the nurses’ competence and knowledge-base, poses a threat to the health and welfare of those who will be entrusted to the care of Philippine nurse licensees. This licensing issue casts uncertainty on our quest for approval of the Philippines as an NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-RN) test site, since it drives right into the heart of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s (NCSBN) concern regarding adequacy of mechanisms to safeguard testing security and integrity of intellectual property rights. PNAA applauds the courage and supports the dedicated efforts of our Philippine-based nursing colleagues for insisting on the exposure and subsequent investigation into alleged irregularities relative to the recent nurse licensing examination. PNAA extends its gratitude to the Philippine government, legislators and concerned public officials for responding to the call of our nursing colleagues in the Philippines to seek the truth, to bring the offenders to justice and to institute appropriate measures to prevent the recurrence of any further breach of the licensing system. The Philippine government has the ultimate responsibility and duty of care to ensure that the integrity of the licensing examinations is not undermined and to be accountable for enforcing strict rules and regulations, including meting out punishment to violators. Finally, the PNAA recommends the following strategies to address the issues cited in the foregoing statements. The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) shall continue to investigate the alleged nursing board examination leakage, establish culpability, penalize the offenders and institute appropriate corrective measures to ensure the integrity of the licensing examination. The collaborative alliance between the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Manila based Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) and PNAA, shall constitute the core infrastructure for establishing an oversight program, including a Task Force of stakeholders from appropriate government agencies and nursing organizations, that will monitor the mechanisms employed to address the licensing controversy, safeguard testing security, protect intellectual property rights and ensure the overall integrity of local and international nurse licensing examinations administered in the Philippines. The PNAA believes, that the manner with which this breach of the Philippine nurse licensing system is addressed and resolved, could provide a "model" for change in our country’s growing democratic society, by setting the example to consistently uphold optimum standards for ethical and professional integrity that will rekindle and strengthen the trust accorded to Filipino nurses by our colleagues and the discerning public whom we serve in the global health care arena. Rest assured that the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) persists, as always, in its unwavering commitment to support and collaborate with the Philippine government, global alliances and nursing colleagues, to address and rectify this unfortunate situation, to ensure the security of the RN licensing system and, most importantly, to preserve the dignity, integrity and credibility of the nursing profession, Filipino nurses and all Filipinos throughout the world. PNAA proudly proclaims . . . Mabuhay ang Filipino !!! Submitted: August 4, 2006 For and on behalf of the PNAA Membership and Executive Board (2006- 2008) by: Rosario May P. Mayor, MA, RN President Leo-Felix M. Jurado, MA, RN, CAN, APN, BC President Elect Victoria B. Navarro, MSN, RN Board Member, President-PNA, Maryland Leticia Hermosa, PhD, RN, JD Parliamentarian Linda A. Simunek, PhD, RN, JD Legal Adviser Filipinas J. Lowery, MA, RN, CNOR Advisory Council, Past President, Founder Remedios Solarte, MSN, RN, NP Executive Director, Past President, Founder

1:21 PM

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Posted Sunday, July 16, 2006

17.5 kilometers paranoia

Di ko alam kung kelan ang byahe na ito. Pero kung makikita nyo man ako sa daan- nakaputi, ipaalala nyo lang sa akin kung ano ang nangyari...

Di ko alam kung saan patungo ang dalawa kung paa na walang kapagurang tinatahak ang mahigit labing pitong kilometrong daan..

Pero alam ko sa dulo na aking tinatahak ay may liwanag na naghihintay...

Ako'y estudyante at sa isang pribadong paaralan.. na hitik sa pangarap. Mabigat ang paang aking hinahakbang tungo sa hintuan ng sasakyan. Bawat sakay ay pinaguugatan ng pagkabagot. Ang bukal nito ay dahil sa badtrip ako.

Kelangan kong makasakay sa multicab ni manong drayber, isang oras bago magsimula ang unang klase. Dahil isang oras ko rin nilalakbay ang Kidapawan.

Badtrip. Ang iniingat-ingatan kong bagong plantsang uniporme ay nadumihan. Araw-araw ko rin ring naaamoy ang bahong nanggagaling sa isang planta ng goma sa dinadaanan ng sinasakyan. At kung minsan ay natatapakan ang aking bagong linis na saptos dahil sa mga nakikisiksikang mga batang estudyante. At higit sa lahat, ang malate dahil sa sobrang bagal tumakbo ng sinasakyan.

Hay naku! Mahirap din.. Ako na ang problema ay kung kelan matatapos ang mga projects, maipasa at magexcel sa mga quiz at makaiwas magaka I.R. sa duty, dinagdag ko pa sa plato ko ang problema sa araw-araw kong byahe papuntang skul.

Ngunit sa kabila nito, mahalaga ang determinasyon sa sarili. Dahil dapat nakakintal sa isipan ang krisis na pasan ng mga magulang at ang katotohanang di basta pagod at pawis ang naging puhunan upang makapag-aral.

Sa araw-araw kong paglalakbay- byahe, skwela, pakikipagsapalaran. Sa kabila ng tinik at nagbabagang daan, taas noo uusad sapagkat kakampi ang nasa itaas.

We had our ward setting duty at United Doctors Hospital of Kidapawan or popularly known as Pacifico hospital along Quezon Boulevard last July 10-11. We are eight in the group. In a student nurse real-life, we have this problem of reading doctor's handwriting. Yeah right! You're not the only one who can't read doctor's sloppy handwriting. During the endorsement, as I read the diagnosis of my patients chart, it's a third degree burn. I was shocked. As I visited my patient's room, turned out it was just a second degree burn. We are avoiding to commit errors in reading the doctor's handwriting. Especially in reading doctor's ordEr, in administering medication. Of course to avoid the most feared Incidence Report which is equivalent to a 5o percent grade. To further minimize the chance of errors, we ask the doctor or the head nurse or our clinical instructor to spell out the name of medication. We write it down in our pocket notebook. Then when we pick up the prescription, we compare it the label with our note.

This coming Thursday and Friday will be our Prelim Exam. Wish me luck people! God bless...

11:22 AM

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Posted Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Omnia Mutantor Nihil Interet

Everything is changes but nothing is truly lost

I was surprised to discover how my mind worked over those things. I'm not going to say that it is right because it is really wrong. I'm not going to say that I didn't like it because I did. I'm waiting for the consequences. But I admit, I'm afraid of it...

One hot evening, I was lying on my bed after taking a half bath. As my head hits the solace of the pillow, flashback scenes filled in my mind. I was thinking my ex girlfriend, how she was doing and after our bad break up, four months ago. I heard that she's working in a pharmacy in Digos [Davao Del Sur], three months after her graduation last March. I asked her if she still loves me. And surprisingly she answered, Yes. Happy... I didn't know the reason why I was happy. Then I asked her, Tayo na ulit? It took a minute when she said Oo. I couldn't feel her senses. I'm not also sure with what I feel. And besides, it's not a formal conversation. What if I read too much between the lines? And how our long-distance relationship works? It inevitable that some long distance relationship never work out. Im also too busy with my studies and what if she loosens her gripe again on the affair?

It confused me, bothering if it is really true. What if she's telling the truth? And I fool her. And or shes fooling me or even fooling myself. Bad.. Bad.. Bad.. And more bad... Urgh! Stupid me... Devoid of logic. I'm doing actions without pausing a while and thinking.

I must admit, I wasn't that good enough.

*sigh

2:27 PM

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Posted Sunday, July 02, 2006

HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY PULSE CIRCLE.......... HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY PULSE CIRCLE........... HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY PULSE CIRCLE.......... HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY PULSE CIRCLE........ HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY PULSE CIRCLE

RCYC- CdK Basic Leadership Training Seminar

Last June 24-25, I attended BLT seminar in our school at the gym. It is composed by two schools: CdK and JML College of Makilala. It is conducted by the Red Cross Youth Council of our school in coordination of the Philippine National Red Cross. The program aims to orient participants with the Red Cross and gain relevant learning about Leadership and Management through series of workshops, discussions, forums, and dynamics prepared. Such initiatives is taken to train and prepare willing students becoming productive leaders and as individual in the future...

Here are some shots taken during the two-days activities..

<<<<<< .BEHIND THE SCENES. >>>>>>

11:13 AM

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