What is your reaction to the report of an oversupply of some 400,000 nurses in our country who are now jobless?

They took up Nursing with working abroad in their minds, not local employment. If they get bored with being jobless, let’s send them abroad as first-class domestic helpers. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

The PNA says the decline was due to US visa retrogression, which is abstruse. The real culprits are lost credibility and the dwindling quality of the Philippine educational system. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

They can staff local health centers

Sayang. The government can utilize this oversupply of nurses as staff in rural health centers. Bigyan naman ng disenteng pay and allowances at promotion. – Rey Onate, Palayan City

It’s true that we have an oversupply of nurses in the country, and this is why this is a big question to all those who are eyeing to work abroad for greener pastures. Unfortunately, even the US and the UK have trimmed down their hiring of foreign nurses. In my humble opinion, the government should take this opportunity to deploy them to our communities in need of medical attention and allocate funds for their services while they’re looking for employment, locally or abroad. Likewise, CHED should look into how it could encourage students to shift to other courses that will give them better job opportunities after graduation. The government should prevent hospitals from taking advantage by hiring them without pay for them to clinical experiences. We shouldn’t exploit them. – Manny Canlas, Pampanga

I don’t feel the oversupply because even in private hospitals, walang nurse, while in public hospitals, kasusungit naman. Years back, there was an oversupply of teachers, too, and yet we lack teachers now. What the DOH can do is to ask their assistance so the department can reach out to the poor. The new nurses are willing to do their share, but better to give them some stipend. This could even be a good training ground for them. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

It’s surprising, what with all the bleeding hearts harping that the country lacks medical personnel. 400,000 jobless qualified nurses means that there’s actually a surplus. – Dino Monzon, Caloocan City

They should consider other jobs

It’s sad to read a report like this. It’s time to think of some other jobs relevant to the needs of the times. – Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental

Well, 400,000 is just a fraction of professional teachers who, if not jobless, are engaged in non-teaching related jobs. – Isaganie Bermosa, Nueva Ecija

Colleges of nursing should limit their quota for this course, for quality over quantity. Why can’t they apply as caregivers for starters? – Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City

My friend’s son couldn’t find a job after graduation; he upgraded and took up Medicine. It’s better than downgrading to work at a call center. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

I don’t think they are jobless. Some are working in call centers for better pay and others are waiting to work abroad where better pay awaits, too. – J. Arquiza, Parañaque City

Failure of government

This is the result of giving more attention to the claims of prostitutes being raped. These 400,000 registered nurses should find work at the Gabriela office. – Gil Planas, Davao City

There is certainly an oversupply of nurses, but 400,000 being jobless is uncertain. I have yet to see a nursing graduate unable to get a job. Because of the rare opportunity to secure a good life here, they’re forced to take up nursing as a ticket for a better life in lands beyond, especially Uncle Sam’s. That is a problem to be faulted on the government because if corruption were not rampant, there would be an equal distribution of wealth in the country. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

The number of unemployed nurses will continue to swell because of poor job deployment and the pathetic health care program of the government. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

The CHED is to be blamed for this problem for its failure to promptly close down deficient schools and raise the quality of nursing education. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Well, yeah, and it’s the government’s fault for saying that there’s a demand for Filipino nurses abroad so that the tendency is that parents or the students themselves would choose to become a nurse for the promise of a better future. – Alvin Perez, Manila

There really exists a mismatch in the kind of graduates our schools produce and the hiring needs of the employers and business establishments in our country. I hope our government, with the help of CHED (Commission on Higher Education) will now seriously address this problem. For one, nursing schools that have mushroomed in our country should be given a certain quota in their admission of enrollees. Those schools that cannot offer quality education should be closed down. – Juan Deveraturda, Zambales

With this number, the government has to work doubly hard to scout countries in need of their services. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

This is a manifestation of the continuing failure of the government to make good plans. Our leaders are reactionary, not proactive. – Edwin Monares, Marikina City

That should not be the case because many government hospitals and puericulture centers lack registered nurses but plenty of student nurses. Our government has no money for health and medical services for the poor but in every nook and corner of the towns are billboards and signs praising politicians for their accomplishments. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

Symptom of our malaise

If we have an oversupply of tricycles, jeepneys and so on, an oversupply of nurses is not a surprise. These are symptoms of serious economic challenges of the nation. – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City

It shows our shortness of foresight, our tendency to swim with the prevailing tide, avoiding the difficulty of breaking new grounds. – Ruel Bautista, Laguna

It’s a demonstration of our lack of planning and foresight. Way back when there was tremendous demand for nurses in the international market, countless people shifted to that profession. No one realized that once the quota was filled, it would take years before hospitals would hire more nurses. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

Many countries need their services

We have 400,000 nurses who are jobless right now, but I think many of them are working as volunteers to gain work experience. It would be easy for them to travel abroad once they complete the necessary requirements. Another reason is that they are probably processing their documents for travel abroad. Either way, we should be glad that we have these nurses as many foreign countries need the services of our countrymen while jobs here are scarce. – Alfredo Carballo Jr., Negros Occidental

Apparently, we have a shortage of job opportunities for our nurses and this would push them to go and work abroad. Our brain drain problem will get even worse. – Leonard Villa, Batac City 

If indeed we have that huge oversupply of nurses, can you imagine their dollar-earning potential even if only half are qualified for work overseas? I would like, therefore, to suggest that the government take steps to help these nurses be deployed in countries where a great number of nurses are needed, like the US and some European countries. To help those qualified, I would like to suggest for the government to come up with a scheme similar to “Fly now, pay later.” To make it easier for them, the payback should follow that of a soft loan scheme so that nurses will be out there comfortably and will also be able to remit to their families back home. The government should do the same for other professionals in other fields. That would make the Philippines a giant exporter of human resources. Would not that be great? – I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City

Opportunities are abroad

The oversupply of nurses in our country is due to the fact that the majority of these nurses plan to work abroad for greener pastures. We export nurses. – Eric Gopilan, Manila

Well, there are really no stable jobs for them in the Philippines. They better try their luck abroad. Greener pastures are waiting for them there. – Lydia Reyes, Bataan

It’s better than working in a hospital without pay, the sad part being that you’ll have to pay the hospital for your services rendered. Wow, grabe! – Dave Velasco, Marinduque

It means overseas job demand for nurses cannot accommodate all of them. How much less in their home country? – Edwin Castillo, Batangas

Those nurses may be choosy in accepting local employment or they’re just waiting for jobs abroad. – C.B. Manalastas, Manila

They need to find jobs abroad because hospitals here in the Philippines can’t accommodate them. – Queenie Quintinita, Metro Manila

Our nurses today are selective and opting to work in the US and other Western countries where they are treated fairly well with dignity and respect. – Nap Cinco, Rizal

The great American dream

Lack of information misled many to take up nursing. Dreams are shattered when nursing graduates can’t find job after graduation. PEOA and schools should inform freshmen about their chances of getting a job in their selected profession after they graduate. A hundred thousand graduates from nursing with more than half passing the board each year but less than 10 percent are able to get jobs. Despite the glut of nurses in the last few years, however, nothing can’t stop students as well as parents from pursuing their American dream. - Robert Young Jr., San Juan

It only means that arguably for every 100 HS graduates, 12 wanted to be a nurse to slip out of the country and have a much better life abroad without taking into consideration the multitude of unemployed nursing graduates we already have. - Ube Wenceslao, Cavite

The lure of making big money abroad is the reason why we have an oversupply of nurses. Their swelling ranks can’t be accommodated locally. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City

It’s a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Aspirants should be oriented well that in taking certain courses like nursing or other disciplines. Money should be the last consideration and serving other people at all costs must be the primary goal. Aspirants today are more concerned about their future and dream of an easy life but miss the real essence of their chosen field. - Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City

An exaggerated number

The report that there is an oversupply of about 400,000 nurses in the country is unbelievable. Data must be verified first to prove its veracity. – Eduardo Lozano, Nueva Vizcaya

I think the data on our oversupply of nurses is not true because demand for our nurses abroad is not lacking. – June Deoferio, Cavite

I think 400,000 jobless nurses is somewhat overblown if we consider the average of 22,000 that graduate in all disciplines and from all colleges annually. – Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City

There’s an oversupply of nurses? We thought all along that our country has a shortage of nurses due to attractive benefits offered abroad? – Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City

I think 400,000 is an exaggerated number. If there are 40,000 licensed nurses, that would mean that for a 10-year period, nobody was getting employed. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Bandwagon mentality

I’m not surprised, and I knew that there was bound to be an oversupply of nurses in our country. When news broke out that there was a huge demand for nurses abroad, everybody took up nursing. Now that the demand has dwindled, this glut of nurses is just to be expected. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

We haven’t learned from nata de coco, Japayukis, caregivers, etc. Pinoys always over-saturate the demand for anything. Ditto with nurses! – G. Calupitan, Quezon City

It’s very Pinoy, gaya-gaya. Chicken was a good business. All of a sudden chicken inasal can be found everywhere. Same with the sago business, etc. To be a nurse gives you better opportunity to work abroad so a lot of young people took up nursing. What is the result? Oversupply of nurses, what else. – Edgar Artates, Parañaque City

Not surprising

I’m not shocked anymore. Why, my son Euclid, who is also a registered nurse, is one of these 400,000 jobless Pinoy nurses. – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan

They’re hoping to work abroad but need some experience. The DOH can make good use of them in the countryside. – Digoy Coro, Batangas

Nursing is the No. 1 preferred course today. It’s not even surprising to find students who already hold other degrees taking up nursing. Many professionals, notwithstanding their late years, are balancing both work and the dream to become a nurse. I think the statistics is right, but not that accurate. – Imee Aglibot, Rizal

Heartbreaking for parents

It’s heartbreaking for parents who, in their effort to provide their children a high-yielding profession, have resorted to some painful decisions. – Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City

I was shocked to know that most Filipino nurses are unemployed. It’s a huge waste for these nurses to take the course and not pursue their dreams. Hearing this is like unpleasant music, as the people who graduated as nurses will have no job to start their life or to support their family. Parents of the graduates worked hard for the money so that they can carry on with their dreams. – Josh Edward Cobangbang, Ilocos Sur

A global hiring slowdown

The oversupply of nurses in our country is primarily caused by a global slowdown of hiring in rich countries. The hiring of foreign workers has been put on hold. - Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

With so many nurses and limited job openings, I’m afraid they will be exported and some of them will end up working as nannies, maids and domestic helpers. – Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan

An oversupply of nursing schools

It seems that we have a glut of schools for nursing. Attention DepEd, please do something. – Gerry Del Cano, Muntinlupa City

DepEd must set a quota for enrolment in nursing schools. Enrolment must be reserved for those with high aptitude and potential to pass the board exams. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

Four hundred thousand and counting, while expensive diploma mills entice them to zero-opportunity careers. – Janet Lopez, Manila

Therefore, many nursing schools will close shop. It isn’t lucrative business anymore. Jobless nurses must plant camote. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

During my college days, enrollment in nursing was temporarily suspended because of the same reason as of today. But after a couple of years, overseas requirement for nurses increased, and so many of them grabbed this opportunity. Because of this, enrolment suddenly shot up and many nursing schools opened like mushrooms. Even here in the Middle East, medical staff are still highly required. I already convinced my daughter who is graduating this schoolyear to take up Nursing. Yesterday, my wife texted me about this news and we agreed to look for another course for our daughter. - Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia

If there is an oversupply of nurses, it means only one thing – low demand of patients in hospitals. At least we are a health-conscious country! – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas

Not enough jobs

It’s because we do not have enough jobs for them and their hope of making it abroad is too expensive because of some recruitment agencies asking for much higher placement fees. – Marcos Pattaguan Jr., Cagayan

The good: Nurse ka na! The bad: Mababa masyado ang local pay. The ugly: Puno na ang international dream at dumarami pa kayo. – Rico Fabello, Parañaque City

PACQUIAO & POLITICS

May I remind Manny Pacquiao that boxing and politics are two different things. Use your hard-earned money wisely and huwag kang magpagamit. – Edwin Castillo, Batangas

I feel proud whoever Manny Pacquiao fights in the ring, but every time I see him with politicians, I lose my respect for him. – Richard Decena, Quezon City

REACTIONS

I’d rather wait for the adjudication result of the syndicated estafa case versus Meralco. It’s premature for Boo Chanco to call it as mere harassment. – C. Fundales, Bulacan

I feel sorry for those who have become so cynical about heroes as to say they no longer exist. Why focus on villains when you, too, can be heroes? – L.C. Fiel, Quezon City

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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