It's not What you know, but It's WHOM you know

I don't know if this statement applies to other countries but here in my country, this statement sure does. It is basically having and using connections with the right people who are in the Position for personal gains like getting a job, promotions, business deals, etc. But do we really have to resort to this means? What about working your butt out and getting all the skills to become better qualified for a job?

Whenever I hear someone getting hired in the company without even considering his or her qualifications...and to think that there are a lot more better suited and highly qualified for such position...I really get mad. Just because he or she is the niece or son-in-law of this and that! It is so unjust and as much as possible, I don't want to be part of this kind of system.

But what can we do??? This is reality and has long been part of our tradition. Although, it cannot be denied that having connections with the right people is really an advantage. And I must admit that there are times I am guilty of using such means out of frustration.I think the best way to handle this is to continually improve ourselves. And if ever we do find ourselves in this kind of situation, we just have to show that "I got hired because I am qualified" and perform damn well so no one would dare question us.

Work Environment

They say that a major factor in an employee's performance is due to the condition of the work environment. I totally agree with this! I am really at my best performance when I am happily working. It means I am enjoying the company of my co-workers, although the workload can become frustratingly so demamding, but somehow you are able to conquer the day with a smile. Sometimes the benefits outweighs the good people you work with around you. No matter how big your job pays, but if you are in a hostile workplace...I bet you will have a hard time staying in that job.

Be Prepared

I am registered nurse here in Philippines and just recently I got my license as a US RN state of Vermont. I must admit I don't have enough clinical experience for now but I can proudly say I have acquired improved nursing skills throughout my days as a nursing student and as a staff nurse for eight months at the local private hospital here.

One of the most important things I learned being a nurse is to make yourself familiar with the hospital equipments and medical supplies because you will never really know when the situation will call for an immediate response which will require the use of such equipments or medical supplies. Just like what I experienced when I had my duty at the surgical ward and we had a code blue. Unfortunately that time, our nursing assistant was new at the ward and she wasn't familiar where the needed equipments were. It was such a difficult situation because as a nurse I had to see first the patient then I had to quickly get the needed equipments myself because the nursing assistant just don't know what to do. Good thing the other health care staff rushed in immediately to help after we called for a code. After we were able to stabilized the patient, I finally had a breather. I said to myself, I should have a word with our new nursing assistant because this can't happen again if ever a situation like this would occur again. Whew! What a day!

Shifting Careers

Part of human nature is being never satisfied with what he has. It's true, like me I am never contented with my work, relationship and overall standing in life. I may be happy with what I do now but there's always something that I keep on searching.

Before, I used to work regularly at the office in the accounting department. My job was not that fascinating nor that rigorous but it was good because then I had a regular paycheck every 15th of the month. I could buy the things I want at the price I can afford and dine to some restaurants and pay for my own meal. But now after nursing, I'm all dependent to my sister and aunt who pays for my education.

I know that shifting careers is never easy. Nurses are really in demand all over abroad that's why I took chances and hoped to find a better life as a Nurse. From an accounting graduate I studied nursing. I took my exams, passed them and now I'm still hunting for a job. Which is not easy especially now with the recession and global financial crisis the world is undergoing.

Often times I feel frustrated like now because I feel trapped. Where do I go from here? I know I'm not the only one who's having this problem and I'm just thankful that my family and friends never fail to give their moral support or give me a push whenever I need it. I just need to be more patient and soon I know I'll reap all the hard labor I've done.