Running head: DECENT WORK 1

Rubric for Concept (Short) Paper: Current work conditions of nurses practicing the profession
in the Philippines in the context of decent work

Content

Hig High Mid Low

No. Mid Low
h
1. Introduction, Establishes Less clear, Does not
Transition, and purpose, key states grasp the
Conclusion points clearly, significance attention of
explicitly, and Adequate the reader,
1 .5 .25
objectively transition and no key points
Efficiently closure points Weak
transitions and buried conclusion
closes the paper
2. Information, Key Captures Well-written Off track and
Points, attention of the but does not purpose does
Communication reader, communicate not relate
communicates purpose or Reader is
purpose in tone tone. Ideas distracted
1 .5 .25
and topic. Facts relatively Lack of facts
support data, tangential and and focus
citations unrelated
strongly support
data
3. Development and Impressive Adequate Little or no
Analysis, Results depth of insight depth, no pro depth or
and analysis, and con insight
Recommendations, provides pro viewpoints, No or wrong
2 1 .50
and Overall and con not conclusion
Cohesion viewpoints, supportable
clear and logical results
results

Mechanics

No. High Mid Low High Mid Low

Paper is of The paper The paper
sufficient meets violated page
Length, length, free of assigned requirements,
Grammar, grammatical length, with numerous
4. Spelling, 1 .5 .25 and spelling some grammatical and
Referencing, errors, has grammatical spelling errors,
Formatting relevant and spelling and lacks
up-to-date errors and appropriate and p-
references references to-date references
DECENT WORK 2

Current Work Conditions of Nurses Practicing the Profession in the Philippines in the Context of

Decent Work

Shaira Lyn D. Barbacena

Bicol University Tabaco Campus

August 27, 2022

DECENT WORK 3

Decent work is the goal of every person’s working on their lives. Part of this were better

prospects for personal growth and social integration, freedom for people to express their

concerns, organize, and take part in decisions that affect their lives, and equality of opportunity

and treatment for all women and men. This includes also the opportunities for work that is

productive and provides a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for

everyone, as well as better prospects for personal development and social integration (ILO,

2019).

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis underwent a sudden fundamental change in terms of the

nurses’ roles within the Philippine healthcare systems creating demands and overwhelming

obstacles in their ongoing fight against this illness. During the pandemic, I’ve seen how Filipino

nurses felt more stress while battling this unseen enemy. They even had fewer flow experiences,

and they feel like they were not satisfied with their occupation life such as work performance,

and well-being than before the pandemic. According to the study conducted by Bartzik, M.,

Aust, F., & Peifer, C. (2021), despite of their hardworks and challenges, many people learned to

appreciate the efforts of every nurses. Sense of humor and the perceived appreciation of society

and patients were confirmed as buffers of negative pandemic-related effects. A recent estimate

by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that there would be a shortage of 249,843

nurses in the Philippines by 2030 unless increased investment in high-quality training and

suitable remuneration are made today to retain nurses. The Philippines' current acting WHO

representatives for the Philippines, Tauhidul Islam and Socorro Escalante, asserted that investing

in high-quality nursing education and ensuring fair compensation and respectable working

conditions will improve health outcomes, advance gender equality, and support economic growth
DECENT WORK 4

in the country. The WHO Regional Director of the Western Pacific said that governments across

the Western Pacific Region must invest in strengthening their nursing workforce as an essential

part of the preparedness for the health challenges such as emerging infectious diseases, buts also

the health challenges brought about by climate change, ageing populations and a growing burden

of non-communicable diseases. Due to the impact of pandemic, the profession of nursing has

become highly at risks because it deals with the virus that could lead to life threatening situation.

Workplace health and safety issues of the Philippine’s nursing work force were the primary

concerns of the nation. According to the study of De Castro et al. (2009), in the previous year,

around 40% of nurses had suffered from at least one illness or injury, and 80% had had back

pain. The majority of people who were hurt did not report it. Stress and overwork were the top

two issues. Similar to other countries, the Philippines also has significant health and safety issues

that Filipino nurses must deal with. Future studies should look into the aspects of work

organization that fuel these worries and improve the laws that support health and safety. In

Western, affluent nations, occupational injuries and diseases among nurses are extensively

documented. The main safety concerns affecting this workforce include workplace violence,

musculoskeletal injuries from patient handling, and needlestick injuries. Filipino nurses have

expressed their exhaustion and dismay in response to the ongoing understaffing, low pay,

hazardous working conditions, and deployment restrictions by using phrases like "We don't feel

cared for" and "We feel exhausted...but we always keep in mind that we have to help our people

because...no one else will." Some of them may eventually decide to leave the industry or try to

relocate abroad since "being a nurse at home truly isn't worth it". In the midst of the COVID-19

pandemic, nurses and other health care worker groups in the Philippines have announced their

widespread resignation from the country's healthcare system. Although some were able to leave
DECENT WORK 5

the country, there are still nurses in the Philippines who may decide to abandon their jobs in

order to escape what appears to be domestic imprisonment and socioeconomic challenges in the

midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as observed in private hospitals. Thus, when they stop acting

in the capacity of "nurses," Filipino nurses might be free (Getzzg. 2022, May 23). The local

COVID-19 reaction had been negatively impacted by the migration of healthcare professionals

from Philippine healthcare facilities. Hospitals across the nation have already begun to scale

back their operations in 2021, but not because there aren't enough facilities or medical supplies;

rather, it's because there aren't enough healthcare professionals. Hospitals remained fully

occupied as a result, despite the declining trends of COVID-19 in the nation. If things continue to

get worse, a second COVID-19 wave might overwhelm the healthcare system.

The world's greatest lifesavers are nurses. To assist those who are afflicted with COVID-

19, they are frequently putting their own health at risk and forgoing family time. For

communities to successfully fight off this pandemic, the protection of medical personnel is

essential. They safeguard the continuation of life-saving medical services to safeguard

individuals from accidents and other diseases in addition to saving people from COVID-19. They

deserve to be able to work free from fear, whether because of a lack of PPE or because of

harassment and attack.

DECENT WORK 6

References

ILO. (2019). Decent Work. Ilo.org.

https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/decent-work/lang--en/index.htm

Bartzik, M., Aust, F., & Peifer, C. (2021). Negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on

nurses can be buffered by a sense of humor and appreciation. BMC Nursing, 20(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00770-5

WHO pushes adequate pay, decent work conditions for nurses. (2020, April 7). SUNSTAR.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1851722/manila/local-news/world-health-

organization-pushes-adequate-pay-decent-work-conditions-for-nurses

de Castro, A. B., Cabrera, S. L., Gee, G. C., Fujishiro, K., & Tagalog, E. A. (2009). Occupational

Health and Safety Issues Among Nurses in the Philippines. AAOHN Journal : Official

Journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, 57(4), 149–157.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797477/

Getzzg. (2022, May 23). When the “heroes” “don’t feel cared for”: The migration and

resignation of Philippine nurses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. JOGH.

https://jogh.org/2022/jogh-12-03011#:~:text=Given%20the%20chronic%20understaffing

%2C%20low

Kelbach, J., Kelbach, R.-O., RNC-OB, labor, has extensive experience as an R. in the, nurse,

delivery setting A. becoming a breastfeeding resource, instructor, certified C., Ohio, J.

DECENT WORK 7

became an assistant manager at a high acuity facility in, Postpartum, W. in, labor, In

2012, blogs, J. began writing on healthcare topics for various, writing, websites B., mom,

J. enjoys being a, Family, S. T. with H., & Danes, their G. (n.d.). Fight Against

Coronavirus: Issues Faced by Nurses in The Philippines || RegisteredNursing.org.

Www.registerednursing.org. https://www.registerednursing.org/articles/fight-against-

coronavirus-issues-nurses-philippines/

Crisostomo, S. (2021, October 24). Philippine nurses now battling low morale pandemic.

Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/10/24/2136311/philippine-nurses-

now-battling-low-morale-pandemic

Lagman, J. D. N., Vergara, R. J. D., & Sarmiento, P. J. D. (2021). Distressing healthcare workers

during the COVID-19 pandemic: the challenges of holiday season in the

Philippines. Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab003

‌
DECENT WORK 8
DECENT WORK 9

References (sample)

Emelda M. (2011). "Difference Between Modernism and Postmodernism." Retrieved from

http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/politics/ideology-politics/difference-

between-modernism-and-postmodernism/ >.