University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.

College of Nursing

Insights and Journal:

Grand Alumni Homecoming Week for Technical Working Committee

Submitted by: Pauline Chan

February 07 09, 2017

Pauline Chan
 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.
College of Nursing

Journal:

During the first day, I was assigned to make the power point presentations for all the events of the day

including the zumba event. In addition to this, I had to take care of the music needed before the actual

zumba event, and coordinate with the Zumba instructor, Mr. Benny Almonte for his desired music

playlist. It was quite stressful seeing as I had to learn how to mix the music needed.

Afterwards, I had to help set up the sounds in the Amphitheatre A where the rest of the homecoming

events will be held. At first we had trouble setting up the sounds and the projector but we figured it out

along the way with the help of the technicians that were with us. I was the one in the laptop so I had to

pay attention to cues and needs of presenters during the entire session. I admit it was hard to listen and at

the same time be relieved of the pressure that was on me to make sure their presentations go well, but I

was still able to gain insightful information throughout the lectures. After the lectures, I stayed until 8:30

working on the presentations for the next day making sure everything was well coordinated and that there

would be minimal technical difficulties.

On the second day, I unfortunately woke up late and was not able to arrive on time for the morning

ceremony during the mass and Dr. Tayags convocation ceremony. However, I made up for it by being

there throughout the rest of the day starting from the session with the past alumni presidents where I

found out about the responsibilities that entails being an alumni president and the importance of

connecting as an alumna. I did not have to do much for this but provide the backdrop for this session.

Afterwards, it was a short talk about setting direction for the college of nursing and the nursing service

delivered by our very own Dean Capistrano and the chief nurse, which was also an alumna, Dr. Norielee

Magsingit. They talked about improving the connection between the College of Nursing and the nursing

services, allowing students more responsibility and freedom to perform skills in the ward in order to gain

valuable experiences. Afterwards, it was the relaunching of the donation tree to which I played bossa

nova music to match the mood.

Pauline Chan
 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.
College of Nursing

For the afternoon session which was the Dean Purita F. Asperilla Lecture Series Proper, featuring a

lecture about School Violence by Yolanda Lasmarias. I assisted her in setting up her presentation and

making sure that her videos which were those of violent nature played at the right volume during the

presentation. Afterwards, it was the Plenary Session on Chronic Diseases Beyond Border which

featured two lectures, one being from Marietta Velasco on the Burden of Chronic Diseases on Children

which I was actually able to listen to because she used her own laptop. The other one being about

Enhancing Quality Care Management by Eleanor Bigornia. We ended the day with the UERMMMCI

Hymn, sang by our very own Ms. Janelle P. Castro. Again, I stayed at school until 7:30 in order to work

at the power points for Wednesday. I also started working on the Dinner Dance power point and making

sure that all the information was right.

For the third day, I made sure I was on time so that I could prepare the music for the registration as well

as the back drop for the rest of the day. I did not want to have any technical problems throughout the day

so I tried to fix everything and rehearse as soon as I got there. The event started a tad bit later than usual

which I did not mind as it allowed me to have more time to relax a bit and relieve the pressure off my

back. When the event started, there was minimal lag time between presentations especially during the

playing of the invocation, national anthem and the Star Spangled Banner. The session started with the

Balik Handog Research Forum Proper featuring Dr. Letty Kuan on the topic of Happy Retirement and

Graceful Aging which I particularly enjoyed. I thought Dr. Letty Kuan was an adorable and very

insightful speaker filled with experiences that I just loved to listen to. Afterwards, we got to listen to Dr.

Genedine Villanueva for the 10th EMD Lecture series which featured Nursing in Singapore and how there

is always a health care need for the growing and aging population. This was then followed by a response

from Dr. Sandy Dumalao, the granddaughter of the late Dean Dumlao.

For the afternoon session, which was really interesting, it featured nurse entrepreneurs and how their

knowledge in nursing helped them set up their own business which, though by nature, far away from the

clinical set up, still shouts nursing for all that they apply in their business.

Pauline Chan
 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.
College of Nursing

After all the sessions were done, I stayed to finalize the dinner dance power point as well as the music for

the night. I was not going to the dance but I made sure all the music and the power point was set up

properly in Maam Elegados laptop so that the alumnaes may have a great night.

Pauline Chan
 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.
College of Nursing

Insights:

1. What learning insights did you get from the lectures you attended?

a. Stroke Management by Visitacion Verbo

I learned more about stroke, including very useful statistics about it that might help with

gathering the attention of listeners and patients when explaining why Stroke information

should be disseminated and listened to. The speaker talked about hemorrhagic and ischemic

strokes in more detail and explained their differences. She also spoke of newer treatment

options for stroke which includes endovascular treatment something that I just heard from

her. Also included in her lectures were her own experience with stroke, having suffered them

earlier last year which helped us gain a better understanding to stroke. She cited her

unhealthy lifestyle which included her diet and her exercise habits as causative factors that

led to her stroke.

b. Advanced Practice Nurse A Closer Look by Prof. Leonor Fruto

According to her lecture, the definition of Advanced Practice Nurses are educationally

prepared to assume responsibility and accountability for health promotion and/or

maintenance as well as the assessment, diagnosis and management of patient problems which

include the use of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. I learned from this

talk about the different types of APNs in the United States which were Nurse Midwives,

Nurse Anesthetists, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Nurse Practitioners. Along with this, we

also learned the pre-requisites and the path that goes along with it should we decided to

become an APN. She also discussed where the Philippines is now in terms of Advanced

Practice Nursing. According to her lecture, in the National Nursing Career Progression

Program Framework, an RN with a BSN degree is at level 6, whilst an APN with an MSN

degree is at level 7 and an APN with a doctorate/PhD degree is at level 8. The future of APN

in the Philippines usually includes being an Educator or an Academian, a leader or a manager

Pauline Chan
 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.
College of Nursing

at the ward or as an expert clinician. Amongst the expectations from an APN as a

professional includes being able to communicate effectively, having strong critical thinking,

being able to have decision making skills that includes practical wisdom, being ethically

informed, a leader in evidenced based practice and having knowledge of cost containment.

Being globally aware, culturally sensitive, and having strong patient advocacy is also an

expectation as APNS are always involved in health promotion, risk reduction, disease

prevention and disease management programs. In finale, she said that APNs are those that

provided access to care to patients in societies wherein there is disparity in distribution of

health care. They have also been essential partners in resolving poor access to health care in

most countries requiring Health Care Reforms.

c. Post Anesthesia Care by Gilbert Pagulayan

For someone who wants to be in Post Anesthesia Care, one must have experience in other

wards at first because this job is not for entry level. Some of the important points that he

discussed were about Doctors orders and how we must be able to discern its appropriateness

and how a nurse in this kind of care must be well adept in knowing the dos and the donts.

He also emphasized that nurses do not just take orders, we implement them. He discussed that

a leader is still a leader, even at home. In clinical judgment, one must take ownership,

responsibility and accountability for it. As a nurse, one must be able to use the nursing

process especially the evaluate process as we are all equipped with problem solving skills.

d. School Violence and the First Responders by Yolanda Lasmarias

In this lecture, she opened our eyes to the incidents on active shooting and how having a safe

school plan is important. In an effective lockdown, there will always be challenges which

includes the school site layout and security, the usage of substitute personnel, having visitors

and external issues and hazards. She cited examples of recent shootings which included the

Columbine High School Shooting and the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. She

Pauline Chan
 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc.
College of Nursing

differentiated an on campus shooting from an active shooter and also taught us what to do

during an active shooting incident. She also made sure we knew exactly why it was necessary

for us to learn about all these and why it was essential to our studies and the nature of our

work.

2. In leading a committee, what are the challenges that you encountered (personal, social, etc)? How

did you overcome these challenges?

I was not initially the leader of this committee, but since I did almost everything from the power

points to providing the music, I felt a big amount of pressure. The challenges I encountered were

at first, not having a big committee. But it turned out to be a blessing because I did not have to

rely to a lot of people in order to get things done. Also, communication has been a major

problem. To address this, we, as millenials began to use technology in such a way that will enable

to communicate seamlessly.

3. What are the leadership styles that you have observed all throughout the homecoming? What are

your key leadership insights?

Leadership styles that were prominent during the homecoming were authoritarian everyone

answered to one leader and that was whoever their committee heads were both student and

teacher. Nobody dared to deviate from the original plan and everybody worked hard to make sure

everything was seamless.

4. What managerial skills have you gained/enhanced in this experience? Describe the instances that

you were able to practice these skills.

I gained more skills in terms of managing committees that were different from mine. I got to

practice them whenever I needed to tell what both the Physical committee and Technical

committee on what was needed. Also, I learned the value of managing time and having backups

and not being a one man show.

Pauline Chan