Nurses Licensure Exam July 2010 Filing of Application

The PRC announces that application to the July 3 & 4, 2009 Nurses’ Licensure Examination is now open until April 14, 2010 for Repeaters and May 14, 2010 for First Timers.

Applications can be filed at PRC Manila, PRC Regional Offices and its satellite offices. For those who intend to file in Manila, filing may be done at the PRC Central Office located at P. Paredes cor. N. Reyes Sts., Sampaloc, Manila or at the PRC Service Center in EVER Gotesco Mall – Recto Branch. One day campus processing of applications may also be done in some schools which will be scheduled according to zones. The venues and dates will be announced later.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

1. Duly accomplished Nurses’ Application Form (NAF);
2. NSO issued Certificate of Live Birth;
3. NSO issued Certificate of Marriage (for married women);
4. Transcript of Record with scanned picture and remarks: “For Board Examinations Purposes”;
5. Record of OR-DR Cases (for 1st timers only);
6. Summary of Related Learning Experience – (for 1st timers only);
7. Four (4) pieces passport size (1 ½ x 1 ½) colored picture with complete name tag in white background;
8. Community Tax Certificate;
9. Examination Fee of P900.00;
10. One (1) window mailing envelope; and
11. Valid Identification Card.

There will be NO EXTENSION of the deadline. All applicants are enjoined to file early to avoid overcrowding and long queues. Only those with complete and appropriate documents will be accommodated. The Nurses’ Application Form can be downloaded at www.prc.gov.ph.

Read more: http://www.prcboardexams.com

Election 2010

i.care.com will be participating in the Election Watch on May 10 2010 Philippine Elections. Let's get involved. Ensure that all votes are properly counted and report any irregularities/anomalies in your particular precinct. Effective until the ballots are all in and counted, we will ask everyone to post election related topics or news to help bring updates. Together let's make sure that this Presidential Elections will be peaceful and orderly.

Fire displaces over 1,000 families in QC

QUEZON CITY — None of the 3,000 families in Barangay Damayang Lagi on E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City thought April 25 will be a different Sunday. An afternoon fire destroyed their houses, businesses, and material possessions, and even took lives. Affected families, with a great need for food, shelter, clothing, and medicines, were relocated to the side streets of E. Rodriguez Avenue.

Some residents escaped with only the shirts on their back, many of them jumped directly to the adjacent creek to escape the raging flames.

It the biggest fire ever to hit Block 5, Barangay Damayang Lagi in recent years. Firefighters who responded neared 500. Cause of the fire is still unknown as of this writing.

The Delos Santos-STI campus served as the evacuation center for the homeless, as well as the other establishments in the area.

Social Organizations such as red cross, operation blessing foundation, health nurse action and others immediately responded to the need of these evacuees, proving once more that they are ready to help and share hope and love to those who are in need.

World Red Cross Day!!!

In line with the upcoming World Red Cross day on May 8, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is now stirring to mobilize all of its local chapters to take part in its projected nationwide celebration. Still inspired by its “Our World. Your Move.” campaign, the said premiere humanitarian organization aims to encourage everyone to join its primary goal of making this world a better place through collective initiative, which will definitely be showcased in its plotted commemoration.

Standing firm with its call for this movement, PRC is then prompting to honor the above mentioned significant event by closely observing the advocacy of its chief founder, Henry Dunant, who has also marked the particular date with his birth. And with PRC’s year 2010 being slowly directed towards the idea of urbanization, it then imparts its prospected projects lined up for the said May 8 celebration, which include the following: educational discussions on safety consciousness; disaster preparedness and risk reduction; first aid and accident prevention trainings (particularly for drivers); dengue prevention clean-up drives; climate change and urbanization fora; and tree planting missions.

“We at the Philippine Red Cross believe that rendering service to other people is the best way to celebrate Henry Dunant’s special day,” says Chairman Richard Gordon after sharing the said plan for the upcoming festivity. With great conviction, he elaborates that the PRC’s existence basically flourished from Dunant’s initiative, so it is only fair to honor him through his admirable advocacy.

To further expand the reach of PRC’s humanitarian foundation, on the other hand, Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang gladly relates the organization’s plans to incorporate fundraising activities in the said occasion. Apart from encouraging more members, donors and partners all throughout the celebration, Pang stresses that they will be considering other significant fund-generating courses, such as deployment of additional donation cans and promotion of Red Cross merchandise. In explanation to this particular drive, Pang straightforwardly utters: “Well, this is the least we can do for our beneficiaries. For us to provide better service, we have to strive on collecting all the help we can get. We are just doing what we have to do.”

Urbanization

For the first time in history, there are more people living in urban areas than in the countryside. Urbanization has exposed many of them to insecurity, along with inadequate food, water and health care. On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is highlighting the plight of those who suffer the consequences of urbanization, and showcasing the Movement's efforts to help.

Urban centres are home to half the world's population. These centres are engines of prosperity, cultural expression, diversity, and economic growth but they are also subject to pollution, violence, crime, unhygienic and crowded environments, poverty, social exclusion and increasing vulnerability.

4.9 billion people are expected to be living in urban environments by 2030 – over 60 per cent of the world population (UN-HABITAT).

Most of the world’s largest cities are in low- and middle-income nations.

Two thirds of the world’s 10.5 million refugees live in towns and cities. (UNHCR)
Urbanization – the main issues

* Disasters
* Health and social services
* Urban violence
* Migration and displacement

Urbanization – the main issues

* Disasters
* Health and social services
* Urban violence
* Migration and displacement

Public health

The urban poor suffer disproportionately from disease. More than one billion people – a third of the urban population – live in urban slums. People living in these communities are at higher risk of both chronic disease and communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement advocates for equitable access to health care for all vulnerable people, particularly those living in overcrowded, unhealthy slum communities.

Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers play a vital role in reaching the community. But more help is needed in tackling such global health challenges as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and in reaching marginalized populations in urban settings such as the homeless, prostitutes, injecting drug users and migrants.

As cities grow, so does the threat of TB – a deadly disease that spreads through the air and thrives in poor, overcrowded communities.

Water and sanitation

Today, almost one billion people have no access to a clean water supply, and over two billion have no access to adequate sanitation. Although the majority of needs are in rural settings, rising urban populations are putting an ever greater strain on public services, causing tensions within communities and, in some cases, armed violence. This continuing trend makes it even more difficult to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation.

Despite successes in providing access to clean water in urban settings, sanitation remains a major problem. One in five city dwellers has no access to improved sanitation – more than 600 million people.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is among the leading humanitarian providers of water, habitat and sanitation services. Often working with National Societies, the ICRC's water and habitat services last year benefited some 13.6 million people in 35 countries affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. Many of the beneficiaries live in cities such as Herat (Afghanistan); Baghdad; Rafah and Khan Younis (Gaza Strip), Port-au-Prince and Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo).

First aid

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement advocates that first-aid training be accessible to all. In towns and cities, particularly in slum communities, we must ensure that vulnerable people can take training in how to prevent injury and save lives, regardless of their ability to pay.

(source:www.redcross.org.ph)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

To celebrate ou Mother's Day, here's a special poem for our dear mothers.

National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

To learn more about National Nurses Week, visit at http://nursingworld.org/NationalNursesWeek

Basic hygiene lacking among many health professionals

Up to 61 per cent of health professionals working at Mater Dei Hospital do not fall in line with hand hygiene procedures, according to a recent study by the Health Department.

The situation is the main contributor to the increase of antibiotic resistant diseases such as the superbug MRSA, a common type of bacteria found on the skin and which may get into the body through breaks such as abrasions and surgical incisions and cause infection.

Findings of the study were revealed by Healthcare Director General John Cachia during an annual conference on infectious diseases on Wednesday. He said the problem was a serious one and there should be a zero tolerance approach by the professionals involved.

The situation was such that Malta, along with Portugal, had one of the highest rates of MRSA in Europe and the Mediterranean in its hospital. There had been improvements, Dr Cachia pointed out, in the Intensive Care Unit, for instance. “Our ITU had the highest rates of MRSA but, thanks to prompt intervention, it now has one of the lowest,” he said.

Tonio Piscopo, an expert in infectious diseases, pointed out that all it took was common sense and health professionals following simple hygiene procedures, such as washing their hands before visiting a patient.

Between five and 15 per cent of patients – one and three patients in a ward of 20 – fell sick while in hospital because of a healthcare-associated infection, he said quoting EU figures.

These rates are higher in the ITU – between nine and 37 per cent, Dr Piscopo added.

On an EU level, such infections amount to 25 million extra bed days and a cost of €13 - €24 million, he said.

“All these figures are related to hand hygiene, we have learnt a lot but not as much as we should have. I’m sure it is not deliberately done by health professionals but more because they are pressed for time,” Dr Piscopo said.

He referred to the results of an EU study which revealed that only 48 per cent of health professionals cleaned their stethoscope daily and seven per cent never did so.

Health Minister Joe Cassar echoed the speakers who preceded him saying that 30 per cent of hospital-related infections could easily be avoided.

“Between eight and 12 per cent of patients in the EU get infections from healthcare.” By simply using soap and water or an alcohol rub, over 80 per cent of these infections could be avoided, he said.

(Source: www.timesofmalta.com)

Annual Red Cross Membership Program

Be a member of the Red Cross and alleviate human suffering…
anytime, anywhere, anyone!

Legal Authority (Proclamation 12)

In support to the efforts of the PNRC, former President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation 12 authorizing the nationwide membership and fund campaign of the PNRC from the year 1986 and every year thereafter.

This proclamation enjoins all citizens and residents of the Philippines regardless of nationality or creed, to give generously and participate in this humanitarian endeavor.

This proclamation further authorizes all national and local officials to take the initiative and assume active leadership in the Red Cross.

Objectives:

1. To encourage the majority of the population of the Philippines to be Red Cross members regardless of citizenship, status, gender and political affiliation.
2. To instill the value of giving and sharing for the benefit of the most vulnerable.
3. To create a database of potential major corporate and individual partners and committed pool of Red Cross volunteers.
4. To generate significant amount of funds to sustain the humanitarian efforts of the PNRC.

Why Join the Red Cross Membership Program?

Self-worth- Being a member of the Red Cross gives an individual a sense of worth since he/she becomes a part of the premier humanitarian organization that continues to serve the most vulnerable.

The professional networking and friendship - Red Cross provides forums and activities for professional, business leaders and youth (e.g. fundraising activities and Red Cross Youth Program).

Personal Growth and Development - PNRC members may avail of leadership, disaster response, first aid and other youth development training. Red Cross expansive network of chapters also provides extensive opportunities for service and interchange.

Access to Red Cross services - During emergencies, PNRC members will have the access to safe blood, safety and other life saving services of the PNRC. Other services, on the other hand, require fees to augment direct operational costs.

Who can be a Red Cross Member?

Individuals aged 6-65 years old (students, out-of-school youths, employees, utility workers, Red Cross staff, volunteers and trainees, etc.)

How Does One Become a Red Cross Member?
Register at any Red Cross Chapter nationwide and contribute an annual membership fee of P35.00, P100.00, P300.00, P500.00 or P1,000.00 depending on your choice of membership category.

Types of Membership

A. Classic Membership - this type aims to continue a dynamic generation of young blood in revitalizing the organization in serving the most vulnerable. Open to all students and youth aged 6-25 years old.

FEE/BENEFITS/AMOUNT

PHP35.00

1. Student Membership ID
2. Accident Assistance Benefits
Accidental Death, Disablement and Dismemberment 12,000.00
Uprovoked Murder and Assault 12,000.00
Accidental Medical Reimbursement 5,000.00
Burial Benefit (Accident) 5,000.00
Hospital Daily Allowance (max. of 60 days) 150.00/day

B. Premier Membership (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) - this type is to get commitment from individuals who believe in building a proactive membership movement with the Red Cross. This further encourages community members to be socially responsible. Open to ages 6-65 years old.

PREMIER BRONZE

PHP100.00

1. Premier Bronze ID
2. Accident Assistance Benefits
Accidental Death, Disablement and Dismemberment 35,000.00
Uprovoked Murder and Assault 35,000.00
Accidental Medical Reimbursement 5,000.00
Burial Benefit (Accident) 5,000.00
Hospital Daily Allowance (max. of 60 days) 150.00/day

PREMIER SILVER

PHP300.00

1. Premier Silver ID
2. Accident Assistance Benefits
Accidental Death, Disablement and Dismemberment 100,000.00
Uprovoked Murder and Assault 100,000.00
Accidental Medical Reimbursement 10,000.00
Burial Benefit (Accident) 5,000.00
Hospital Daily Allowance (max. of 60 days) 200.00/day

PREMIER GOLD

PHP500.00

1. Premier Gold ID +Premier Gold Pin
2. Accident Assistance Benefits
Accidental Death, Disablement and Dismemberment 200,000.00
Uprovoked Murder and Assault 200,000.00
Accidental Medical Reimbursement 10,000.00
Burial Benefit (Accident) 5,000.00
Hospital Daily Allowance (max. of 60 days) 200.00/day

PREMIER PLATINUM

PHP1,000.00

1. Premier Platinum Pin + Name to be acknowledge in the website + Invitation to Red Cross Special Events
2. Accident Assistance Benefits
Accidental Death, Disablement and Dismemberment 200,000.00
Uprovoked Murder and Assault 200,000.00
Accidental Medical Reimbursement 10,000.00
Burial Benefit (Accident) 5,000.00
Hospital Daily Allowance (max. of 60 days) 200.00/day


FAQ's

If I register as a Red Cross member, can I also avail of free blood and free first aid training? As a Red Cross member, you can avail of the accident assistance benefits. However, we will help facilitate your blood requirements. Blood itself is free but it has processing costs which you can reimburse as a member in case of accidents. More so, to avail of first aid training, you have to pay the required registration fees.

Do I have to carry my membership card at all times? Do I have to show it to ER when I have treatment? No. You may opt not to carry the card at all. You do not have to show it to the ER. However, you should keep the card because it is your insurance policy. You will need the card number when you claim. Our accident benefits are purely for reimbursement purposes.

What is the scope of coverage? The accident benefits covers the person 24-hours a day, worldwide. The plan extends coverage while the person is traveling as a passenger in any public conveyance. It includes acts of nature, motorcycling except for professional use and during racing and competition. The plan also covers any injury as a result of acts of terrorism.

What are the exclusions for claims? Some of the exclusions for claims are as follows: suicide, self-inflicted injuries, drug addiction, nervous disorders, cosmetic or plastic surgeries, dental diseases, AIDS, pregnancy or childbirth, war, military service, alcoholism, drug addiction and willful participation in any crime.

Who may qualify for the benefits? All members of the PNRC ages 6-65 years old. The PNRC membership is also renewable up to 72 years old.

When does the coverage begin? The coverage will become effective on the date of registration with the PNRC.

If I have accident coverage from other insurers or insurance companies, can I still get the accident benefits of PNRC membership? Yes, since this is an accident insurance, benefits are payable on top of other insurance that you might have. However, in case of medical reimbursement, Philam thru PNRC shall only pay the expenses that are not paid by other insurance companies. You may also opt to choose where to reimburse, from the PNRC or from your other insurers.

Who are the qualified beneficiaries of these accident assistance benefits? The qualified beneficiary will follow the legal hierarchy.

In case I die of natural death or sickness, would the benefit be provided to my beneficiaries? No, benefits will not be provided in case of natural death or death due to disease or illness.

If an accident happened to me overseas, can I or my beneficiaries claim? Yes, you or your beneficiaries can claim. Coverage is in effect anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Our Current Partners

1. Department of Education (DepEd)
2. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
3. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
4. Civil Service Commission (CSC)
5. Technical, Education, and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
6. League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP)
7. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

To avail our Annual Red Cross Membership Program, pls contact Ms. Ivy Adanza @ 639083613850.

The choice is yours!

Do you think that you are ready for exams?

Memorization is the learning method to recall important items and to store particular data in our heads. But do you think that you can able to do it without worrying about exams? Here are some important tips to help you improve your memory:

1. Mind Maps: Write the subject matter in the center of the page and then draw branches off of the central topic. On each of these branches, write the name of the idea that links with the main subject. Then colored it with bright coloured crayons. For example, YELLOW will be the color of your main subject and BLUE will be the color of your branches. The branches help your brain associate all of the connected ideas to your subject, so you will have lots to write about!

2. Repetition: "Try and try until you succeed!" The more you practice you made, the easier it gets to remember. Try to keep chipping away and give yourself reasonable breaks so that, it doesn't become painful. Try to repeat it 4-5 times a day.

3. Memorize with your favorite hobbies: Hobbies such as dance, draw, sports and revising to music can all help you with your focus and concentration as they require you to learn routines and become disciplined.

Here's an example of a video clip from "Pinky and the Brain" that will help you to memorize the parts of the brain:



4. Memory Movies: If you have watched "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief", You might as well recalled the familiar names from Greek Mythology, such as Centaur, Minotaur, Zeus, Aphrodite, Anthena, etc. What you are trying to learn as the scenes from a movie and make it as vivid as possible. Draw an image that reminds you of your scene. Then all you need to do is press replay in your head when you are in the exam room.

5. MP3 player: Record your lines or subjects on to MP3, so you can listen to them. This may be more relaxing than trying to study from textbooks and will reach your subconscious rather like when you listen to a song.

6. Mnemonic: You can write a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something, particularly lists, but they may be visual, kinesthetic or auditory.

7. Mnemonic Link System: A method used to remember lists, based on creating an association between the elements of that list. For example, if you wished to remember common drugs(Tylenol, Amlodipine, Isoniazid, Myra-E), then you could create a link system, such as a story about a girl named Tyle (Tylenol) said to Amy (Amlodipine), "I so (Isoniazid) Myra, EEEE!!!" (Myra-E).

8. A Peg System: A technique used to memorize list of words that are easy to associate with the numbers they represent (1 to 10, 1-1000, etc.). Those objects form the "pegs" of the system. a peglist can be memorized one at a time and can be used over and over every time a list of items needs to be memorized. It is created from letters of the alphabet or from rhymes are very simple to learn, but are limited in the number of pegs they can produce.



Hmmm, who says cartoons don't teach anything?

The Meaning of Hope

The meaning of HOPE from the movie "The Shawshank Redemption".

Scent of a Woman Speech

Al Pacino is one of the most favorite actor of all time because of his performance here in "Scent of a Woman". This clip is one of the most amazing scenes in movie history.

"I Love Living Life. I Am Happy"

I like to share a video clip about a man without limbs from Youtube. This video can change the way in living life!!

Don't Quit

I would like to share with you about this poem from Anonymous:

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow-
You may succeed with another blow.

Often thegoal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late
When the night came down
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,-
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Laughter is the best medicine

They say that laughter is the best medicine. It generates chemicals in our body that give us the feeling of energy building up to that unique high associated with a good workout. It sends the heart pumping blood to all parts of the body, waking up every little cell. You'll notice how in a fit of laughter you get all blushing and bursting with energy, often playfully hitting and pinching the jokester or excitedly smacking the person sitting next to you. At the end of the experience, you're practically gasping for breath. A good miniworkout, don't you think?

There are findings that people in the hospital recover faster when regularly exposed to the healing powers of laughter. Many American institutions provide humor therapy where Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Bob Hope comedy series are shown to their patients everyday. Some children's hospitals have resident clowns for the recuperating kids.

Some research says that you only need at least ten minutes of hearty laughter a day to maintain a bright and cheerful disposition for a long life of health and happiness. Call a friend and share some happy stories. Catch the latest funnies getting e-mails or videos all ove the internet.

Let go all your worries and laugh your heart out!...