Representing our candidates for Mr. and Ms. Cebu South General Hospital, cast your votes now!

Hello fellow Nurses, pls like the picture (not the post) , representing our candidate for Mr. and Ms. Cebu South General Hospital.

Click the link and HIT LIKE!!!

https://www.facebook.com/SouthGeneralHospital/photos/a.1551278548450489.1073741828.1544951605749850/1551278778450466/?type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthGeneralHospital/photos/a.1551278548450489.1073741828.1544951605749850/1551278805117130/?type=1&theater

Thank you!

An agency in Manila hiring Nurses for Canada, a total hoax!!

Be very wise in choosing your recruitment agencies with regards to applying work abroad. 

A complaint was forwarded thru an email from an aspiring nurse regarding a job opportunity in Canada. The contents of the email was inviting all Filipino Nurses to apply in Canada as Caregivers and Nurses for Sickkids Hospital with a promise of an alluring salary even without hospital experience. In addition to that, it said that no processing fees will be collected, free accommodation will be given to chosen applicants, visa application and air line ticket will be shouldered by the employer, enticing bonuses awaits to those who will qualify, and the like. But they will ask you to pay certain amount for registration and reservation, and will also lure the applicants of the limited slots so they can collect sizable amount of money. 

I confirmed this prank email with someone I know from Canada and asked to notify the hospital of this hoax. The offer is a GIGANTIC HAOX!

I was fooled once with an illegal recruiter, I don't want other Pinoy Nurses to experience the same thing. 

Remember that there are tons of processes before you can fully work as a Registered Nurse in Canada. You will need to study, undergo a great deal of training, and of course take the Canadian Exam. 

Be wise and don't be fooled!!

Attention Nurses!! POEA shuts down recruitment firm for New Zealand.

ATTENTION NURSES!!!!

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has temporarily shut down the operation of a recruitment agency for its alleged violations in deploying eight overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in New Zealand.

POEA administrator Hans Cacdac has issued a preventive suspension order against Sacred Heart International Services, Inc. after it received a complaint from a group of Filipino construction workers in New Zealand for illegal exaction of placement fee.

“The order of preventive suspension issued against Sacred Heart International shall bar the agency from deploying overseas Filipino workers,” Cacdac said in a statement.

Cacdac said the suspension order will take effect until POEA concludes its investigation.

He said the probe will also cover Sacred Heart’s foreign counterpart placement agency, Business Immigration, and the employer of the affected workers in New Zealand, Valiant Homes Limited.

“Business Immigration and Valiant Homes, Inc. meanwhile cannot hire OFWs from the Philippines until further ordered by the POEA,” Cacdac said.

In the complaint letter, which was endorsed by the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand, the affected workers claimed Sacred Heart charged them each P330,000, but it only issued them receipts for P120,000.

They also claimed the agency referred them to lending companies, which charged them with high interest rates, which amounted to half a million pesos.

Source: yahoo news, Philippines and Manila Bulletin

Nurses for UK, preliminary interview at Cebu Parklane Hotel on July 2014!

Omanfil International Manpower Development Corporation is looking for Nurses for King's College Hospital and Addenbrookes Hospital in UK! 

Preliminary interview will be on July 18-19, 2014 at Cebu Parklane International Hotel. Send your CV at liz@omanfil.com to register. 

Band score of 7 in all Ielts component is a requirement. Assistance will be given to those who haven't taken the exam yet.

Minimum of 1 year hospital experience is also needed. 

Open to Nurses in all areas NICU, PICU, CCU, ICU, MS, OR, Oncology and Haematology.

Hurry and apply now!

Filipino Nurses for United Kingdom!

Another opportunity for Filipino workers has arrived! 
United Kingdom is now opening its doors for Filipino Nurses. They offer working visa permit, so schooling is not any more needed though all foreign nurses employed will need to go on a 
3 - 6 months supervised work where they will be oriented and trained meticulously in accordance to the hospital setting and policies. 

Qualification varies per agency, some may require 1-3 years of solid hospital experience, fyi., volunteer work is even accepted and the most vital requirement is to have an ALL 7 score in ACADEMIC IELTS. Processing may take up to 9 months, but the fastest I have know so far was in 3 months time only. Trust only those agencies who are linked with POEA. 

How to be a Certified Diabetology Educator

Please take not of the dates abd availability of slots! 

Nurses for UK and OMAN!

Will upload the requirements needed, the soonest time. Please be guided accordingly, we are currently undergoing site maintenance. 

Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) aftermath 2013 Philippines

Just last week Visayas was hit by typhoon Yolanda,  the strongest storm that hit the world in history, even stronger than hurricane Katrina that killed thousand lives in United States of America on 2005. Hurricane Katrina had strength of 205 kilometers per hour with 1,833 plus casualties while Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) had a fierce force of 315 kilometers per hour sustaining 11,000 fatalities and still counting! Few days before it happened, people of the Visayas region were warned by the PAG-ASA of the threat of heavy rain fall, flash floods, landslides and storm surge. The latter part was not clearly emphasized; people from Tacloban City expected only a rise of the sea level but not a TSUNAMI of so some kind. Everything in Leyte, Bantayan, Eastern Samar and Tacloban City were thoroughly washed off! 

Primary structures, distinguished establishments, historical landmarks, public places and utilities, hospitals and government offices were completely vanished! Corpse were scattered everywhere! Literally everywhere, bodies on the shore, roads, buildings, even smashed by debris and fallen structures! The pass on of the reliever is really slow! THEY NEED HELP! They struggle for food and water. They are not looters as what others name them, because if they were, they would have sneaked in to factories and buildings for their own good but they went beyond their limits to feed their families and keep them alive. They merely had no choice. 

Social media has been flooded with hate massages blaming the government for being corrupt, taking advantage of the situation, asking taxes to foreign military and first aid responders for the relief goods to be handed over to the people. It shouldn't be that way. The United Nations are freely extending their help, Filipino's should be thankful for that alone. THEY NEED HELP, a lot of them are very hungry, utterly helpless, barely breathing and at snail's pace of dying! Thousands are badly injured, totally damaged and deeply traumatized! Many lives were lost and children's future is at stake. Could you just imagine how they sleep at night with an empty stomach, aching wounds and broken hearts while lying beside the dead body of their loved ones? It's terribly horrifying!

Yes, Help has arrived with the aid of all of the countries sending their love and helping hands to assist the Filipino's but it will take time, a long time to restore what has been destroyed or maybe it will never be restored. I pray that the Philippines will be healed. Step aside the political issues and everyone should work unitedly to reach a common goal. THEY NEED HELP to uplift their spirits to keep them going, so I say instead of posting pictures of dead people and complaining of corrupt government, I encourage everyone to donate and do relief campaigns and restoration programs, little by little it can be done. Remember, nobody wanted this to happen. Nobody! 

#justssaying #curatchingchinguy

200 STAFF NURSES FOR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN SINGAPORE!

National University Hospital 
Employer's interview in Manila: September 23 and 24, 2013
Singaporean Nursing Board Exam: September 25, 2013
Make yourself available on these days :)

200 STAFF NURSES
Areas: M/S, ONCO, GENERAL WARD, OR, ICU, ER

Salary offer: 
S$ 1,525 per month plus
S$ 350 monthly housing allowance plus free meals on duty
S$ 500 one time relocation allowance
free air ticket going to Singapore and back to Philippines upon completion of 2 years contract

Qualifications:
Female
Min. 4'11 feet tall
23 - 26 years old
BSN graduate
BMI less than 25 and with good physical condition
Minimum of 3 years work experience (after the date registered in PRC as staff nurse in a 200 or more bed capacity hospital
(Or with minimum of 5 years work experience in a tertiary hospital depends on employer's evaluation)

Requirements:
Two sets all copies in a4 size paper
1. Resume with detailed job description
2. BSN diploma
3. TOR
4. RLE
5. PRC Board Certificate
6. PRC License
7. Itemized Board Rating Result
8. Updated employment certificate
9. passport
10. recent colored photo with white background (passport size)

Apply personally with complete original credentials for evaluation or send complete photocopied documents in A4 size paper through LBC or any courier.

Address: Rooms 302 and 303. 3rd flr., MRS Bldg. 1431 A.Mabini St., Ermita, Manila
Mobile No. 0918 941 6579; 0917 326 3537; 0922 831 4671
www.fslinternational.com
fsl_application@yahoo.com
No fees to be collected.

Schedule of Job fairs nationwide for local and overseas job hiring for August 2013.

The Labor Department and the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) conduct regular job fairs nationwide to make the process of job-hunting easier for Filipino jobseekers. Check the schedule for August 2013 and you may soon get a job offer.

Reminder:Please note that the job fair schedule may change anytime without notice so one is advised to always confirm the schedule with the organizer.

To check job fair schedules in other regions in the Philippines, please check out this link:http://www.phil-job.net/jfsched/jfdisplay.php

NCR

Date	Venue	Type	Host
August 3	Barangay Hall	Local	Mandaluyong PESO
August 10	Barangay Hall	Local	Mandaluyong PESO
August 16	Mega JF	Local & Overseas	Pasay PESO
August 17	Barangay Hall	Local	Mandaluyong PESO
August 21	Barangay Hall	Local	Mandaluyong PESO
August 31	Barangay Hall	Local	Mandaluyong PESO

Region 1

Date	Place	Type	Host
August 16	Binalonan, Pangasinan	Local & Overseas	Lgu-Binalonan
August 2013	St. Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union	Local & Overseas	Provincial Government Of La Union (Pglu)

Region III

Date	Place	Type	Host
August10	Pag-Asa Multi-Purpose Gym	Local & Overseas	San Jose City

Region VII

Date	Place	Type	Host
August 3	Barangay Area, Cebu City	Local	Peso Cebu City/Dmdp
August 10	Barangay Area, Cebu City	Local	Peso Cebu City/Dmdp
August 17	Barangay Area, Cebu City	Local	Peso Cebu City/Dmdp
August 24	Barangay Area, Cebu City	Local	Peso Cebu City/Dmdp
August 25	Cebu Provincial Capitol	Local	Peso Cebu Province
August 31	Barangay Area, Cebu City	Local	Peso Cebu City/Dmdp

Region X

Date	Place	Type	Host
August 15	Municipal Hall	Local & Overseas	Lgu Catarman, Camiguin

Caraga

Date	Place	Type	Host
August 8	Bayugan Municipal Hall, Agusan Del Sur	Local & Overseas	LGU - Bayugan Agusan Del Sur
August 16	Surigao City Hall, Surigao City	Local & Overseas	LGU-Surigao City
August 22	Municipal Hall, Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur	Local & Overseas	LGU - Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur

source: http://www.ofwguide.com

GERMANY NEEDS 500 NURSES! LIMITED SLOTS ONLY!

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is now ready to accept applications of Filipino nurses who wish to practice their profession in Germany. The hiring process is in accordance with the Agreement on Triple Win Migration between POEA and the German Federal Employment Agency on the placement of Filipino Health Professionals for Employment in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Germany is in need of male and female nursing staff from the Philippines to fill the current labor shortage in their healthcare industry. They intend to recruit 500 nursing staff until the end of 2014.

Successful nurse-applicants will initially work as an Assistant Nurse at hospitals. They will be promoted after recognition of the foreign qualification work as a qualified nurse. The starting gross salary amounts to €1,900 or more or less Php108,000 until recognition as a qualified nurse.

Requirements:

·        Filipino citizen and permanent resident of the Philippines with:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (four years professional education; (B.S.N.)
Active Philippine Nursing License
At least two years of professional experience as nurse in hospitals, Rehabilitation centers and care institutions

·        Knowledge of German language
minimum Level B1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or willing to undergo German language training in the Philippines for up to six (6) months (to be paid by the employer)

Employment and residence conditions:

Nature of employment relationship

·        The employment contract initially is limited to one year working mainly in the job profile of nursing assistance until the recognition of the foreign qualification.

·        Based on the recognition of the foreign qualification, the employment contract can be extended after twelve months.

·        It is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany after five years.

Recognition of certification:

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Republic of Germany, the recognition of the foreign qualification is mandatory. It has to be approved within the first year of employment by the relevant German authorities.

Board and Lodging:

The employer will assist the employee find a suitable accommodation and the expenses in full or in part will be borne by the employee.

Travel expenses:

The employer will pay the travel expenses from the Philippines to Germany.

Required application documents:

·        Cover letter and curriculum vitae with colored passport size picture (in English and in German, if possible)

·        High School Diploma (notarized copy)

·        Diploma of nursing (notarized copy)

·        Board Certificate from the Professional Regulation Commission

·        Certificate/s of employment from former employers (notarized copy)

·         Certificate of German language skills, if available

·         Copy of valid NBI clearance

·        Copy of valid passport

Application and selection process:

Submit the documents listed above to POEA under the following heading: “Triple Win.” Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Candidates who are short-listed will be informed about the location and time of their  interview with representatives of the Federal Employment Agency (BA/ZAV). Preferably,the interview will be in German language.In the framework of the cooperation of the German Federal Employment Agency (BA/ZAV) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on the recruitment of nurses, GIZ will support local partners as well as provide language, professional and orientation training in the Philippines.

Furthermore, it will support the visa procedure and serve as focal point during the first integration phase in Germany. BA/ZAV, in cooperation with POEA, is responsible for the selection process  of nurses as well as for the placement of nurses to German employers and the approval of working conditions.

For further information, candidates can contact triplewin.poea@yahoo.com.

Please submit applications at Counter Triple Win, Employment Branch, Manpower Registry Division, Ground Floor, POEA, Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

source: nursingguide.ph

news article from poea.gov.ph

Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus - update

(article taken from www.who.int)

29 MAY 2013 - The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has notified WHO of an additional five laboratory-confirmed cases with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

All five patients are from the Eastern region of the country, but not from Al-Ahsa, where an outbreak began in a health care facility in April 2013. The patients had underlying medical conditions which required multiple hospital visits. The government is conducting investigations into the likely source of infection in both the health care and the community settings.

The first patient is a 56-year-old man with underlying medical conditions, who became ill on 12 May 2013 and died on 20 May 2013. The second patient is an 85-year-old woman with underling medical conditions who became ill on 17 May and is currently in critical condition. The third patient is a 76-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions who became ill on 24 May 2013 and was discharged from the hospital on 27 May 2013. The fourth patient is a 77-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who became ill on 19 May and died on 26 May 2013. The fifth patient is a 73-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who became ill on 18 May and died on 26 May 2013.

Additionally, a patient earlier reported from Al-Ahsa, an 81-year-old woman has died. The government is continuing to investigate the outbreaks in the country.

In France, the first laboratory-confirmed case in the country, with recent travel from the United Arab Emirates has died.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 49 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 27 deaths.

WHO has received reports of laboratory-confirmed cases originating in the following countries in the Middle East to date: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). France, Germany, Tunisia and the United Kingdom also reported laboratory-confirmed cases; they were either transferred for care of the disease or returned from the Middle East and subsequently became ill. In France, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, there has been limited local transmission among patients who had not been to the Middle East but had been in close contact with the laboratory-confirmed or probable cases.

Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.

Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance. Recent travellers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations. Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhoea, in patients who are immunocompromised.

Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC). Health care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health care workers and visitors.

All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.

WHO continues to closely monitor the situation.

Nearly 150,000 Pinoys in danger of losing jobs with new Singapore policy

SOURCE: ANDREI MEDINA, GMA NewsApril 13, 2013 3:30pm

Close to 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Singapore are in danger of losing their jobs after the Singaporean government decided to strictly implement a policy in July which will limit the number of foreign workers in that country.

 

According to "State of the Nation's" Victoria Tulad, the Singaporean Ministry of Man Power (MoM) will be limiting the number of foreign workers because of complaints from the locals.

 

The report said Singapore locals are claiming that foreign workers are becoming competition when it comes to job hunting, education, housing, and social services.

 

Although the policy has been in place for more than a year already, a detailed regulation of the policy was released in February which may worsen the situation for foreign workers.

According to the regulations, starting in July, three major changes will be made:

 

(1) the minimum salary requirement of foreign applicants seeking a work pass will be increased 

 

(2) the monthly levy of companies that hire foreign workers will be increased

 

(3) the total ratio of foreign to local workers will be reduced in favor of the latter

 

Close to 150,000 OFWs affected

 

Similar to the US, Singapore is considered to be a melting pot of different races.

 

According to the National Population and Talent Division of Singapore, the country's 5.31 million population is comprised of 3.82 million local residents and 1.49 million foreign residents.

 

The foreign residents include 146,613 OFWs in Singapore, according to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

 

It also adds that Singapore is the third land based destination of OFWs aside from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi and United Arab Emirates which top the list respectively.

Not only Filipinos

 

Meanwhile, a Philippine labor official said Filipinos are not the only foreigners who will be affected by the Singaporean policy.

 

 “Maaapektuhan ang ibang lahi din naman po," said Vicente Cabe, the Philippine Labor Attaché to Singapore.

He said there are just specific industries which will be affected such as the service industry which is easier to replace with local workers.

 

“Yung ating medical workers like nurses, ay hindi naman po nila basta-bastang mapapalitan yan... May mga sektor din namang walang masyadong Pilipino, like laborers in the construction industry kokonti lang naman ang mga Pilipino diyan,” Cabe explained.

 

Laid off

The report cited a Filipina who has been working in Singapore for four years as a hotel supervisor but was laid off due to the policy.

 

In an interview with Tulad, Joy Malaluan said, “Ang goal nila ngayon is to boost the Singapore economy through the locals, not through foreign workers,” Malaluan explained.

 

According to Malaluan, some Filipinos are resorting to different means just to have their stay in Singapore as tourists extended.

 

“Nag eexit sila in other countries para pag bumalik ng Singapore extended yung visit pass nila,” she said.

However, instead of doing this, Philippine authorities said the affected Filipino workers can just look for jobs in other countries, including the Philippines.

 

“Sa Pilipinas may reintegration programs din naman tayo kung saan matutulungan naman sila na magsimula ng negosyo,” Cabe said.

 

Not in favor
 

Lhes Hugo, a Filipino who has been working in the Singapore's retail and service industry for over a year said he was against the policy.

 

“Against [ako] sa policy pero siyempre MoM na ng Singapore ang nag implement so as foreign workers wala naman [tayo] magagawa kundi sumunod na lang,” Hugo told GMA News Online.

 

Hugo said he was worried about the policy because it was difficult to find a job especially at this time.

 

He also mentioned that other Filipino workers in Singapore are generally worried and have been searching for ways to solve this bind that they're in.

 

“Worried din [sila]. Yung iba nag apply na sa iba para makakuha ng new contract then yung iba waiting for meeting sa office [to discuss possible alternatives],” he said adding that he himself is already preparing for the worst.

 

“Madami kasing locals ang nag complain about foreign workers. Mas madami na daw ang foreign [workers] kaysa sa locals at mas malaki [pa] ang sweldo [ng foreign workers],” he explained. - VVP, GMA News

Structures of the brain and what it controls.

Structures of the brain :

Cerebrum - divided into 4 fissures:

• frontal lobe - site of personality, memory, reasoning, concentration, and motor control of speech
• parietal lobe - site of sensation, integration of sensory information and spatial relationships
• temporal lobe - site of hearing, speech, memory, and emotion
• occipital lobe - site of vision and involuntary eye movements

Thalamus - receives inputs from all the sense except the olfaction ( sense of smell)

Hypothalamus - controls sleep and wakefulness, temperature, respiration, blood pressure, sexual arousal, fluid balance and emotional response.

Cerebellum - controls muscle movement regulates muscle tone, maintains balance and controls posture. 

Midbrain - mediates pupillary reflexes and eye movement

Pons - regulates perspiration 

Medulla Oblongata  - contains vomiting, vasemotor, respiratory, and cardiac centers.

Working Abroad! Wala na bang ibang paraan?

In the past few months I have been jumping from one agency/consultancy right after the other hoping that I could land my feet on a country that would compensate me and my service appropriately. 

If only Filipino Nurses are well compensated no one would wanted to work abroad. I think the hungriness of a lot Pinoys' to help and support their families is their living principle for working in a foreign land while fighting with racism , detachment and homesickness. 

I have spoken to a lot of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) online and the struggle is not very admirable.  They take care of people they don't know while the desire of taking care of their own families leaves them sleepless at night.

Oh well, I failed in different angles. It's either I lack the experience , my documents are incomplete or maybe its just working overseas is  not really for me. I am very much delighted to be able to help sick people (in Phil.) through my job and little by little I can ease their sorrows and pain but I am also dreaming to attain greener pasture for the love of the one above us.

BUT maybe it isn't my time yet. However while I am still in my home grown country, I will spend my time , my service, my loyalty, and my love to the people who matters to me most. 

SELF BREAST EXAMINATION

I had a 23 year old patient diagnosed with Breast Cancer ; Stage 4. It’s not odd to have end stage cancer at that certain age but I must say it is rare. Early symptoms are easy to detect by having a self breast examination.  Early detection is way 100% better than getting mastectomy at the later stage. There is no better cure for it but to do a self-assessment or BSE Breast Self Exam. So I will share a simplified chart on how it is done. 

It is best done 2 to 3 days after the menstrual period when breasts are no longer tender and swollen. For menopausal woman, it can be done on the first day of every month. TIP: It is best to keep a calendar of menstrual cycle to keep the notion on track. If you notice a lump, discharges from the nipple, dimpling or puckering of the skin, you should see a doctor at once. 

Non Ulcer (Functional) Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is  the term given  for group of symptoms that originates  problem in the upper part of the abdomen. Non Ulcer Dyspepsia causes pain and dysfunction of the upper tract of the gastro intestinal system.
Pain and discomfort may be encountered in an intermittent pattern. Symptoms usually come and go more often and is always related to eating. The most common symptoms include: heartburn , bloating, belching, fatiguability, nausea and vomiting, easily gets full after a small meal. Other symptoms resmebles that of an ulcer like.

other related site: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Dyspepsia-Non-ulcer-(Functional).htm

BLS training with ACLS seminar thhis July 26 to 28, 2012 Cebu City .. Limited Slots!! Avail Now!

BLS training with ACLS seminar thhis July 26 to 28, 2012 Cebu City .. 

Register now!

call us: 4125484 or text 09052613225

Nursing dream turns sour in the Philippines, no hiring for Nurses.

Nursing dream turns sour in the Philippines

By Kate McGeownBBC News, Manila

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18575810

If you go into an American hospital, a Japanese elderly care centro, a British hospice or even the clinics at the centre of the recent violence in Libya and Syria, you are likely to find a nurse from the Philippines working there.

Filipinos' reliability and high level of English, coupled with the fact they are willing to accept jobs almost anywhere in the world, have proved a lifeline for many countries in need of nurses and care-workers.

It is an arrangement that has always seemed to work well for the Philippines too.

Not only is nursing a highly respected profession here, it has also been traditionally viewed as a passport out of poverty for many.

But in recent years, this dream has turned sour.

There are far fewer jobs than there once were, leaving tens of thousands unemployed.

At the beginning of this year, more than 200,000 registered Philippine nurses could not find work, and an estimated 80,000 are graduating this year to join an already saturated job market.

"It's so disappointing," said Tina Siuagan, who has been looking for a nursing position since she left university three years ago.

"You can't help but question: 'What's wrong with me, why can't I get a job?'"

'Not hiring'

When she started her degree, Tina could not have foreseen the global events that would mean her qualification would change from being a pathway to a good career into one that would probably not lead to a job at all.

But at the end of her four-year course, it was already painfully evident.

"When these nurses graduated, it was exactly the time the global economy went into recession," said Alvin Dakis, president of the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders.

"Western countries were not hiring, so they're all now stuck in the Philippines."

To make matters worse, many countries have recently been trying to train more of their own nurses and therefore discouraging the hiring of foreign staff.

As a consequence, visa requirements - especially in the US and Europe - have gotten much tougher, restricting Filipinos to job opportunities in their own country.

And with so many applicants for every job, Philippine hospitals are only recruiting those with many years of specialist experience, leaving most graduates with nothing.

Lucrative jobs

A decade ago, it all seemed so simple.

Would-be nurses, most but not all of whom were female, studied and worked for a few years in the Philippines before taking up far more lucrative jobs abroad.

Such jobs not only meant the nurse was well provided for, it often meant that the money he or she sent home to the Philippines would provide for the rest of the family too.

"For almost 10 years, nursing was flavour of the year. Everyone went into nursing," said Catherine Castaneda from the Commission on Higher Education.

"All the parents wanted their children to go into nursing. Many rural folks had to sell their carabao - their water buffalo - and even their property just to send their child to nursing school."

Nursing schools opened up all over the country, and especially in the capital, Manila, to cash in on this demand.

And even now, many of these schools are still operating, churning out yet more graduates every year.

'No regrets'

Given the changing economic climate for nursing graduates, both the government and education providers are actively trying to stem this tide of unemployed nurses.

According to Ms Castaneda, the Commission on Higher Education has drafted strict rules for all nursing schools.

"Out of all the fields of study in the Philippines, the most monitored one is nursing," says Ms Castaneda.

The exams have got harder - only about half the students pass - and any school with below average results for more than five consecutive years is asked to close.

Government ministers repeatedly tell students who are thinking about studying nursing, even those partway through a nursing degree, to look at allied courses like medical technology and pharmacy instead.

And many nursing graduates are encouraged to find jobs in the call centres which are springing up around the Philippines. Some of these are taking advantage of their medical knowledge by offering back-office services for hospitals and clinics.

But despite the statistics and the newspaper headlines, there are still many young Filipinos who remain determined to go into nursing whatever the cost.

For the past three years, Angeline Veraga has been working as an unpaid volunteer in the cancer unit at Manila's East Avenue Medical Center.

She is a nursing graduate, and she has also done several short courses in certain specialist areas, but she has still not found any work at home or abroad.

For someone who studied nursing with the aim of being her family's main breadwinner, it is a bitter pill to swallow.

"My parents feel like I'm still going to school because they give me some money every day," she said.

"It's very difficult. At my age I should be the one helping my family, not them helping me."

But Angeline still has her heart set on a career on nursing.

"I don't regret being a nurse. Every time I go home I feel so blessed at being able to help someone, even though I don't get anything in return."

Despite all the difficulties, with that level of dedication, perhaps the Philippines will still be known for its nurses in years to come.