HELP - medical school or nursing school?

[excel]

well said, tamisguy !





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CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY (CPU)
www.cpu.edu.ph

[Ice Burn]

Originally posted by ChicagoPinoy
...... Nursing....still in demand...unlike the PT/OT or the IT jobs....just think of the baby boomers who are getting sick. Nursing job...has always been in demand, and will always be...maniwala ka.

The most basic concept of Economics is that there is the law of supply and demand. At some point there comes an equilibrium point between supply and demand. There may be a high demand right now for nurses but once supply fulfills the demand (since so many nurses just happen to be taking off for the US), demand drops and too bad for all the future nurses.

With all the nurses that left for the US right now, do you think a large number of them will quit in the near future to give way for the next crop of US-nurses wannabes?

It's all about Economics, demand doesn't last forever...

[ChicagoPinoy]

Originally posted by Ice Burn
The most basic concept of Economics is that there is the law of supply and demand. At some point there comes an equilibrium point between supply and demand. There may be a high demand right now for nurses but once supply fulfills the demand (since so many nurses just happen to be taking off for the US), demand drops and too bad for all the future nurses.

With all the nurses that left for the US right now, do you think a large number of them will quit in the near future to give way for the next crop of US-nurses wannabes?

It's all about Economics, demand doesn't last forever...

....not all State board passers go to bedside Nursing.....the demand for nurses is not limited to bedside nursing alone...you have nurses working in the corporate world, pharmaceutical field, education, Occupational health, private clinics etc. This still leaves alot of nursing positions in the community hospitals, university hospitals, and government hospitals.
....still a number of nurses quit in 3-5 years after t their first bedside nursing job and go to non-bedside work.
This is the reason why since the 1980s and up to now, US hospitals and Nursing homes still recruit nurses beyond US shores.

[Malachite Animo]

It depends on what you're after.

If you're after the money, then start your computations in dollars / Philippine peso + SOL.

If you're after YOUR satisfaction, fulfillment, field of interest, ambition, etc...then only YOU can help yourself. What do you want? Are you ready? Do you have the drive?


I'm a Biology graduate, and currently working in the Research&Development department and am ALSO still undecided where to dive in next -- med school, nursing school or to the field of research. But I have those two pointers (mentioned earlier) in mind.

[tamisguy]

Originally posted by Ice Burn
The most basic concept of Economics is that there is the law of supply and demand. At some point there comes an equilibrium point between supply and demand. There may be a high demand right now for nurses but once supply fulfills the demand (since so many nurses just happen to be taking off for the US), demand drops and too bad for all the future nurses.

With all the nurses that left for the US right now, do you think a large number of them will quit in the near future to give way for the next crop of US-nurses wannabes?

It's all about Economics, demand doesn't last forever...

Basic economics indeed. The reality is that the percentage of nurses graduating and getting recruited to nursing schools are still not enough to fulfill the nursing needs at the moment. The government projections still points to a shortage for years to come. They are so desperate that they are making it so much easier to get loans and other incentives for students to go to nursing school instead. Am I encouraging people to go to nursing school? Hell no. It's not an easy job. Requires alot of care and compassion. Bedside manner. You have to wanna be a nurse to be a good nurse. If your heart is not into it, then you will be miserable. And even then, nurses turn to burn out quickly still. I have not done full time bedside care for myself for years due to burn out.

[Ice Burn]

Originally posted by ChicagoPinoy
....not all State board passers go to bedside Nursing.....the demand for nurses is not limited to bedside nursing alone...you have nurses working in the corporate world, pharmaceutical field, education, Occupational health, private clinics etc. This still leaves alot of nursing positions in the community hospitals, university hospitals, and government hospitals.
....still a number of nurses quit in 3-5 years after t their first bedside nursing job and go to non-bedside work.
This is the reason why since the 1980s and up to now, US hospitals and Nursing homes still recruit nurses beyond US shores.

It's nice to see someone so optimistic...

I can't say the same for myself...First and foremost, I'm a pessimist, I believe in the law of supply and demand and markets will always be uncertain.

Besides, that's what the Filipino nurses go to the US for--to become bedside nurses. American nurses are the ones who quit bedside nursing to move to a more less stressful nursing environment. In the 1980's as I recall doctors where the ones in demand. Then in the 1990's, PT's and OT's where in demand. You see, pana-panahon lang yan...Besides, how many private clinics will go through the trouble of H1- sponsorships? There's certainly no shortage of pharmacists in the US and as for occupational health, they seem to have almost filled up the demand for PT's and OT's already. Why do you think a lot of recent PT and OT grads are now stuck in the Philippines and have resorted to taking up nursing?

See, it's sad to see what lengths people go just for the promise of money. Honestly, how many nurses can actually claim that nursing is truly their calling and were not lured into taking up nursing just because of the promise of a job in the US? And the lack of opportunities in the Philippines just fuels this desire to leave the country.

I only hope that the economic situation in the Philippines will improve and better opportunities particularly for nurses will be provided. We just might find our country out of nurses and so much for the healthcare of the Filipino people.

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by Ice Burn
I can't say the same for myself...First and foremost, I'm a pessimist, I believe in the law of supply and demand and markets will always be uncertain.

Besides, that's what the Filipino nurses go to the US for--to become bedside nurses. American nurses are the ones who quit bedside nursing to move to a more less stressful nursing environment. In the 1980's as I recall doctors where the ones in demand. Then in the 1990's, PT's and OT's where in demand. You see, pana-panahon lang yan...Besides, how many private clinics will go through the trouble of H1- sponsorships? There's certainly no shortage of pharmacists in the US and as for occupational health, they seem to have almost filled up the demand for PT's and OT's already. Why do you think a lot of recent PT and OT grads are now stuck in the Philippines and have resorted to taking up nursing?

See, it's sad to see what lengths people go just for the promise of money. Honestly, how many nurses can actually claim that nursing is truly their calling and were not lured into taking up nursing just because of the promise of a job in the US? And the lack of opportunities in the Philippines just fuels this desire to leave the country.

I only hope that the economic situation in the Philippines will improve and better opportunities particularly for nurses will be provided. We just might find our country out of nurses and so much for the healthcare of the Filipino people.

I would lean towards those who believe that the demand for nurses has a long way to go before it fizzles out. As for H1 visas, nurses have a separate visa class than other professionals and the quota for their visa is much higher. Since they have a professional license, justifying it to the INS is easier.

What I'm not so optimistic about is the competitve landscape. I agree that all else equal, the consumer will choose Filipino nurses over those from the likes of India, China, and Russia for their ability to speak English and the higher quality of their skills. But what if all else were not equal? Just to give an example: If HMOs start staffing hospitals and clinics w/ nurses, and the owners of these HMOs or the private equity firms that own them are Indian nationals, then they just might recruit Indian nurses (who may be cheaper) rather than Filipino nurses even if Filipinos are more skilled. I wouldn't discount this possibility espescially if the Health Care industry becomes very profitable. We saw this happen in the IT industry and it may be starting to happen in the Call Center busness as well.

[heymikey]

Originally posted by rabbaddal
I would lean towards those who believe that the demand for nurses has a long way to go before it fizzles out. As for H1 visas, nurses have a separate visa class than other professionals and the quota for their visa is much higher. Since they have a professional license, justifying it to the INS is easier.

What I'm not so optimistic about is the competitve landscape. I agree that all else equal, the consumer will choose Filipino nurses over those from the likes of India, China, and Russia for their ability to speak English and the higher quality of their skills.

Actually, there was this segment on Dateline NBC (a news program on NBC) sometime last year that I watched saying that the most in-demand nurses are from South Africa. Aside from the fact that they also speak English, South African nurses are highly qualified. Due to the lack of doctors in South Africa (probably because of the AIDS epidemic), nurses there are trained to do most doctor's duties such as diagnosing an ailment, prescribing medication, etc.
Although it is quite sad though. According to that segment, South Africa badly needs those nurses due to the outbreak of AIDS, and yet, the US is trying to lure them away from those who badly need them.

[bjmanabat]

i say you should take up nursing. aside from the longer years you need to be a doctor you also have to take into consideration that most doctors go into specialty training like pediatrics, obstetrics, internal medicine etc. that would be an additional 2to3 years of study. although most specialist in training are compensated there are earning about 6to8 thousand in a private hospital and around 12 to 15 thousand in a government hospital. this is still low especially if you are already married and need to pay rentals, electricity, telephone etc. should you wish to practice right away then you become a general practitioner who is earning very minimal because most patients would like to consult specialists right away. this is in contrary to what nurses are receiving especially those working abroad plus you and your family have a chance to become immigrants.

[badger1011]

you might want to read this... http://www.inq7.net/lif/2003/apr/04/lif_33-1.htm

good luck!

[Blueprint]

Originally posted by rabbaddal
I would lean towards those who believe that the demand for nurses has a long way to go before it fizzles out. As for H1 visas, nurses have a separate visa class than other professionals and the quota for their visa is much higher. Since they have a professional license, justifying it to the INS is easier.

I personally agree that there's still a long way to go before the requirement for nurses in the US is filled up, but this is one big uncertainty. And with regards to the separate visa class for nurses, please note that IT professionals in the mid 90s had the same arrangement, but it was promptly removed after the IT bubble burst in 2000. In that sense, the quota or exclusive visa class does not really indicate anything but the high demand for nurses now.

[Ice Burn]

One more thing..We as Filipinos are suppose to be happy about the fact that we are training nurses to serve the US (or some first-world country for that matter)? I wonder how long it will be when the country will experience a lack of quality nurses? Looks like the Philippines just might get stuck with the dregs of the nursing industry while the better trained ones slink off for greener pastures.

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by Blueprint
I personally agree that there's still a long way to go before the requirement for nurses in the US is filled up, but this is one big uncertainty. And with regards to the separate visa class for nurses, please note that IT professionals in the mid 90s had the same arrangement, but it was promptly removed after the IT bubble burst in 2000. In that sense, the quota or exclusive visa class does not really indicate anything but the high demand for nurses now.

As per my post, my comment on the separate visa class was directed towards Ice Burn's question re. how many clinics will go through the trouble of sponsoring H1 (meaning H1B) visas. I did not say that separate visas were indicative of future trends. I reasonably assumed that the question was referring to the present situation; therefore, so does my answer refer to the present situation.

[excel]

For me, It is nursing because I am a nurse working here in London. But the idea of what's the best between medicines and nursing simply your own choice. Where do you think you are more productive in a way because both courses deals with human beings disease treatment.

Cheers !


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CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY (CPU)
www.cpu.edu.ph

[Wizard]

This book may be of interest to those who are interested in a career in nursing.

_____________________________________________
ADMU Press & Duke Univ. Press Present: Empire of Care
Nursing and Migration in Fil-Am History


In western countries, including the United States, foreign-trained nurses constitute a crucial labor supply. Far and away the largest number of these nurses come from the Philippines. Why is it that a developing nation with a comparatively greater need for trained medical professionals sends so many of its nurses to work in wealthier countries?

To answer this question, Catherine Ceniza Choy, author of Empire of Care--Nursing and Migration in Fil-Am History, conducted extensive interviews with leading Filipino nurses across the United States. She combines their perspectives with various others--including those of Philippine and American government officials--to demonstrate how the desire of Filipino nurses to migrate abroad cannot be reduced to economic logic, but must instead be understood as a fundamentally transnational process.

Empire of Care, a co-publication of the ADMU Press with Duke University Press, is now available at the Press bookshop, or may be ordered through good bookstores nationwide.

Copyright 2003. ISBN 971-550-443-4, 6 x 9 in, 272 pp. 295 pesos. Click on http://www.ateneopress.com to view contents.

For inquiries, kindly get in touch with:

Maricor E. Baytion
Ateneo de Manila University Press
Bellarmine Hall, ADMU Campus
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Philippines

Tel 63-2-4265984; 4266001 ext 4611/3
Fax 63-2-4265909
Email: http://www.ateneopress.com

[tamisguy]

Originally posted by helenez
dilemma, dilemma, dilemma...doctor or nurse? certainly i'd love to be a doctor and be the leader of the team. but i am not a fan of long years of education. besides, i heard that nurses have a big future in the U.S.

hhmm, ayoko nmang magregret later on. so what do you guys suggest? thanks in advance!

You have to look deep in you to determine what will make you feel fulfilled afterwards. They are both honorable professions. So what's the update?

[Blueprint]

Originally posted by rabbaddal
As per my post, my comment on the separate visa class was directed towards Ice Burn's question re. how many clinics will go through the trouble of sponsoring H1 (meaning H1B) visas. I did not say that separate visas were indicative of future trends. I reasonably assumed that the question was referring to the present situation; therefore, so does my answer refer to the present situation.

Sorry, my mistake. You're right, with the special consideration for nurses at the moment, H1 sponsorship for nurses is very easy. Some may even sponsor non bachelor's degrees in nursing (eg vocational course like the LPN in the states) because of the shortage.

Still, it's worth noting that the quota is only indicative of the current situation and can be withdrawn practically anytime. Thus, if you're qualified and are keen to work in the US, better apply now than later. On the other hand, if you're only looking at taking nursing because it's in demand now, you have to consider that it may not be the case after you finish your degree (and the customary two years or so experience).