Hypocrisy Bites!

Last Saturday was the 3^rd regional student congress with its theme, “Quest for Professionalism in Nursing” and we opted to go because of its importance to the profession. The ADPCN members are there and not to mention “Big Names” from the BON, PNA, PRC, CHED and DOLE and it was held in the most generous and suitable school for the occasion. Different nursing schools from the region were there and as expected, students were there for their school’s pride. I, on the other hand, was there because it was my choice.

The lady from the BON delivered her speech very well. It was so enticing that the audience was silenced and everybody was looking at her in admiration. I find it so amusing though that our Dean exaggeratesly nods her head every time the speaker speaks about messages agreeable to the audience. After that, the rest are boring.

An open forum was held right after the five guests have delivered their concerns for the audience. It was the students versus the five (BON, PNA, PRC, CHED, and DOLE). Questions in relation with the profession were asked. One question which really kept in the inner corners of my mind was from a student who lacks the required OR and DR cases. “Is there a chance that you will lessen the twenty-five required cases? The BON threw back the question. “If we will lessen the twenty-five required cases, will it guarantee us that you will become competent nurses when you will pass the board exam? Twenty-five cases aren’t even enough to make you a competent nurse” she added as our dean nodded her head in agreement. The next statement she mentioned made our dean so embarrassed if she was a butter she would melt right then and there. “I tell you this, if you are a graduating student by March and your cases are still less than 10, then your dean is not doing her job, am right?” I call her answer a nominee for the scene stealer award. Our dean just bowed her head in embarrassment as the students clapped and wooed in response with the BON’s emancipating answer.

The program ended after the open forum leaving us in high spirits. Sometimes, statements were so agreeable you say yes when in fact it was against you. =)