Here in Ilocos Norte, Nursing schools have started the implementation of CHED MO this school year (2008-2009). Many people (parents, students and teachers interviewed by this author) have protested either in silence or explicit ways the implementation of CHED MO No. 5 saying that this will only add to the burdens of parents and benefactors of Nursing students (usually relatives abroad).
From my initial findings, the new Nursing Curriculum in the Philippines will effect these changes:
* Instead of the usual 79 units taken up by first year nursing students, the new guidelines will require students to take up 93 units in 2,632 hours. * Additional 357 hours for hospital training or Related Learning Experiences (RLEs) which will make RLEs 2,499 hours from the previous 2,142 hours * 28 additional units or about three summers of schooling
For freshmen Nursing students, the “Theoretical Foundation in Nursing” is included in the first semester, and “Fundamentals of Nursing Practice” in the second.
From a parent’s standpoint, these changes have huge impacts on their family’s finances and other children’s education. Some parents I have interviewed said they might be forced to sacrifice the education of some of their children just to give way to their child taking up BS Nursing. There is now more pressure on the part of the Nursing student because family expectations have become higher.
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