Ona urged: Allow nurse volunteer program

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Nurses Association is against the plan to stop the volunteer program in hospitals that take in registered nurses who want work experience to get the needed employment certificates to work abroad.

The PNA however discouraged volunteer nurses from paying training fees to the hospitals.

PNA treasurer Ariel Pabelonia said they are currently drafting a position paper urging Health Secretary Enrique Ona to allow the nurse volunteerism program to continue in hospitals.

The PNA even urged DOH to provide transportation and meal allowances to the nurses who are “primary movers in health care and are more exposed in a haggard way.”

“This volunteerism program is an avenue for our nurses to work abroad,” Pabelonia said in a press conference.

Dr. Ronald Fermo, PNA Vice president on Programs and Development Governor, said they keep on hoping that the Local Government Unit will understand the plight of the nurses.

“Although we’re happy na may job order basis for the nurses, but dili man na ka-sustain,” Fermo said, adding that letting the nurses pay for the volunteerism program is unfair, after at least four years of paying their tuition in College.

In a memo dated August 22, 2011, Ona said that the practice of taking in registered nurses as volunteers is inconsistent with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9418 or the Volunteer Act of 2007. 

“Many hospitals have implemented ‘nurse volunteerism’ in the guise of ‘training programs’ in order to justify the collection of ‘training fees,’ whereby such basic skills training put no added value to the professional career of the nurses,” said Ona.

Meanwhile, at most 1,500 registered nurses nationwide will gather in Cebu on October 25 to 27 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug for a convention.

Fermo said PNA-7 hosted and initiated community service and social responsibility activities in line with the 89th Foundation Anniversary, 54th Nurses Week and Annual Convention.

Vice President Jejomar Binay will be the special guest of the event.

Activities such as travel expo, fun run, international and local jobs fair, health education fair, PNA memorabilia exhibit, and blood letting in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, will be done simultaneously.

The Huwarang Nars Ward and photo exhibit on Nurse in Action will also be launched during the event.

The event is open to registered nurses nationwide with corresponding registration fees. (FREEMAN)