Current Trends in Nursing

A Bioethics Requirement Presented to the Faculty of the

Graduate Program of Davao Doctors College Davao

City

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Master of Arts in Nursing

Major in Academic Management

Moolien Jane A. Estimada, RN

April 2022
Question #1. What will nursing in the Philippines look like in the future?

Nursing is an integral part of the society. They are the heroes of our healthcare
system, caring for both the sick and healthy across the world. Thus, nursing is an
unstoppable force. I think taking the nursing profession has a bright future. Career wise,
Philippines can be a great place to start and develop your nursing career. Most Filipino
nurses are skilled, resourceful, tolerant and is patient oriented.

In the Philippines, the projected shortfall of nurses is expected to be 249,843 by

2030, unless greater investment is made now to retain them in the Philippine health
sector. (WHO,2020)

This report is so true that almost all nurses have thought, and have considered
going overseas. Baby boomers of nurses are entering the retirement age but if the new
generation of nurses will continue to aspire to work abroad instead of serving our nation,
the cycle of training our nurses to become efficient professionals for overseas
employment will continue.

Question #2: What does the future of nursing industry look like, 20 years from now?

There is a rapid change in the industry of nursing. Due to shifting of technology,

an aging population, and new challenges brought about by the pandemic, nursing
industry continues to evolve to ensure that hospitals and other organizations are able to
continue to provide the best possible care.

There will be a significant growth in the job demand for nurses. Even today,
almost all of our hospitals here in Panabo City and Davao City are in continuous need to
hire new nurses. There is shortage of nurses in the whole Philippines- and even
overseas.

Even pre-COVID, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected Registered Nursing to

be one of the top occupations for job growth through 2030, expected to grow by 9%
(much faster than average), and reported 276,800 new RN jobs will be added by the
year 2030.

Nurses will continue to be in higher demand and I believe that nurses in the
future will also pursue higher degrees for promotion and career development.

Question #3-4. Discuss professional issues in nursing and enumerate 5 top nursing
trends.

Current issues:
 1. Mandatory overtime- as a result of inadequate staffing, nurses on duty
are force to go on overtime to cover the lack of man power. This
practice increases the work fatigue and stress on nurses.
2. Inadequate Staffing- It is a common problem in hospital set-up
nowadays. Due to shortage of man power in nursing, the health of
nurses is compromised and hospitals too are forced to close wards
and utilize the remaining staff efficiently. Thus, the quality of care given
by nurses are compromised as well.
3. Improving self-care- Nurses rarely have the time to balance their life.
Often neglecting selfcare which later on affects their whole sense of
well-being.

Nursing trends:
1. More nurses will continue to enroll in online programs even after the
pandemic.
2. Use of telehealth will rise and nurses will be more technologically
savvy.
3. Compassion fatigue awareness will grow.
4. Nurses will pursue higher degrees.
5. Holistic care will be more common.

Question #5. What do you see as the most pressing ethical issue in health care today?

Amidst the mass vaccination against COVID-19 pandemic, one ethical issue that has
been violated is the Autonomy of the patients or clients. The patient’s right to refuse is not being
observed since a lot of patients who doesn’t want to get vaccinated are greatly forced to have it.

I believe that we have different beliefs, culture, and practices. However, the government
is also left with no choice but to mandate the vaccination of COVID-19 to reach herd immunity
and protect the health of the public.

As an employee in the government sector, we are advised to comply to our vaccination

schedules and are faced with consequences such as not allowed to go on duty, or be put on
work from home status, or have a weekly swabbing if we refuse to obey to what is advised.

Of course, as a nurse, I advocate vaccination. But I also believe that we have to respect
every individual’s decision and not to deprive them of their autonomy because they can’t afford
to have it. We cannot force everyone to be vaccinated but with proper information
dissemination, reinforcement, and good role modeling, I strongly believe that the public will be
encouraged. After all, vaccination has been widely used against various diseases since then
and effectiveness has already been proven.
Bibliography:

WHO, Asia Pacific, Philippines April 2020, News Release “Urgent Need for
Investment in Nursing” Faizza Tanggol
Christian University, Carson-Newman University Article Online 19 May 2021
Updated February 9, 2022. https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/nursing-trends

“5 Issues Nurses Face in their Career”, Walden University, Resource Articles

1
Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-american-nurses ass.n
2
Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/
3
Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/resources/individual/staff-nurses/top-issues-for-staff-nurses/
4
Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/nurse-staffing/
5
Source: https://www.futurity.org/nurse-overtime-collaboration-1763932/
6
Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/safe-needles/
7
Source: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3148.pdf
8
Source: http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/26/4/344.full