Banwag AY 2016-2017 Vol. 7 No. 2

NEWS
CON participates 59th Regional Convention of
the Philippine Nurses Association
Sheena Joy Padla
The College of Nursing students and faculty joined
the 59th Regional Convention of the Philippine
Nurses Association (PNA) Region X held at Kaamulan Folk
Arts Theater, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last November 10-11,
2016. Along with the theme, “Health Care System’s Resilience:
A Continuing Challenge for Nurses”. It is an annual gathering
of many nurses and student nurses of the different chapters
of the PNA to convene and remind the nurses and future
nurses of the vision of the organization as healthcare providers
in progressing to the welfare and development of globally
competitive Filipino nurses and to adhere to the principles of
ethical standards.
A motorcade around Malaybalay City was done after
the registration at the venue. After which, the representatives
of the different schools, hospitals and cities from Region X
were acknowledged then it was followed with a Eucharistic
Celebration. Subsequently, a night of fellowship during
dinner was the highlight of the first day of the convention.
The participants were able to socialize and jammed among
their fellow nurses and student nurses. The highlight of the
night was the pop dance competition with two categories:
Nurses’ category and Students’ category. SMC-CON students
mustered their courage and summoned themselves to join the
contest that night. They were able to bring home the bacon as
the 1st runner-up of the students’ category despite having an
off-chance due to time constraints of preparation and practice.
Then, short videos were presented which were made by some
nurses of the hosting group from Bukidnon chapter that showed
the funny side yet factual and tangible circumstances that are
experienced by a nurse in many areas from being a novice to
an expert.
An opening ceremony was held at the second day with
the seminar proper. The resource speakers were Elizabeth C.
Lagrito, EdD, RN, the PNA Governor of Region X; Elizabeth
L. Alagar, RN, MAN, Dean of the College of Nursing – Iligan
Medical Center College; and Vilma Comoda, RN, PhD, CSEE,
Chief Nurse of Southern Philippines Medical Center. The
keynote speakers were Nimfa B. Torrizo, MD, MPH, Director IV
DOH Region X; and Bgen Paulita B. Cruz (RET), National PNA
President. They made emphasis on the nursing trends that will
continue to impact the nursing professionals and the future ones
in the next decades who are working as the first line in providing
healthcare services. In general, the healthcare industry will
continue its evolution and demand for nursing services will
still continue to rise. With the technological breakthroughs,
nurses are now encouraged to adapt new methods of care
especially when planning to work overseas. Thus, demand for
nursing services is back again since the nursing veterans are
now gradually stepping down because of age and knowhow
on new hospital machineries. Another topic that was brought
to light was the Southeast Asian Integration that encouraged
many participants since it has been stated that, “the ASEAN
Economic Community Blueprint 2025 is aimed towards
achieving the vision of having an AEC by 2025 that is highly
integrated and cohesive; competitive, innovative and dynamic;
with enhanced connectivity and sectorial cooperation; and a
more resilient, inclusive, and people-oriented, people-centered
community, integrated with the global economy” (ASEAN Org,
2015). Wherein it includes the mutual arrangements of jobs
among the Southeast Asian countries, and even education,
trainings, investments are possible. The seminar ended with
an academic exchange and closing remarks and prayer.
A tour of the different beautiful sites of the province
should complete a seminar out of town. After a long day of
sitting inside the venue on the second day, the group decided
to visit Quadra: D’ Stable Eco Resort, a ranch-like scenery with
huts and cottages on verdant grounds and a mountain view
backdrop, where the students enjoyed riding the tall and kingly
stallions under the borderless sky and a brilliant sun slowly
setting its ribbon-like fire. During their last day, they also visited
the Monastery of the Transfiguration where they relished a
short time with God through peace and prayer fronting the
picturesque view of the mountain ranges of Bukidnon including
Mt. Kitanglad and the vast field of vibrant blooming flowers
and trees. Sure enough that a Bukidnon trip is not complete
without a stopover at Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo
Fortich. The students and even the clinical instructors were
overjoyed with the time spent at a magnificent landscape with
frosty-like temperature in spite of being pierced with the glaring
rays of the sun in the middle of the day. Some students even
rode breathtaking rides and some took the chance click and
create memories surrounded with wonderful towering pine
trees. Lastly, they had a quick stop at Camp Phillips: Del Monte
Pineapple Plantation to buy keepsakes and freshly picked
pineapples.
If three words were to describe the three-day trip
in Bukidnon of the College of Nursing, it would be: exciting,
discovering and life-changing. Indeed, it was an exciting
convention where the future Michaelite nurses were
discovering the new trends of the nursing profession yet had a
great jamming with their clinical instructors. It has been a great
related learning experience for the students to get together with
other people within the nursing profession and understand the
vision as future healthcare providers.
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