Notes on Nursing Leadership

     With the current sociopolitical and economic situation in the Philippines, nursing leadership is very challenging. How can nurse leaders inspire other nurses especially the younger breed of nurses when they themselves need motivation? What motivates people in this new age? Is it good compensation? Outstanding benefits? Academic recognition? Power? I say it all depends on our priorities and our living conditions if we talk about the majority of nurse leaders in the third world countries.

     Face it. Most nurses in this country want to migrate to the First World countries to seek better living conditions. Most of them are our precious nurse leaders. Most of them are the heroes of their respective families. Most of them are already finding their respective comfort zones in the First World. Each of us has something to fight for.

     Is it hard to lead and inspire other people when you are thinking about where to get money to buy food for dinner the next day or day after tomorrow, not for yourself but for your family members and even your relatives? How do you find the energy to advocate for all nurses in your country when all you can think of is how to get tuition fee for your children and buy them a new set of uniforms? How can you voice out and fight for an increase in your compensation after years of being immune to the fact that majority of hospital nurses in this country receive a monthly salary of only Php 6,000 to Php 10,000 with overtime, and holiday pays included? How can you as a nurse leader inspire leadership in an economically struggling country when you cannot even feed and help all your poverty-stricken neighbors and relatives? 

     Nurses who have leadership potentials and those who are in leadership positions also have their own struggles in life we do not know about. They cannot always put other people's welfare on top their own. But there is obviously a need for this country to improve the health care system, motivate nurse leaders, and help those who have been stripped off their dignified place in society. We cannot just lay all the burden on the government or the politicians. We have to work together. But where do we begin? How? 

     For now, I only have words. But I know one day, I too can make a greater difference in the Philippines' health care and the nursing profession. I have long time ago decided to start with the very basic unit of this country's society. My family. As for the future, well I would have to leave that to someone who knows best, GOD Almighty.