Work Industries
Hospitals aren’t the only places nurses can work in – there are a variety of other industries in which nurses can very much thrive in and grow. To give you an idea of what opportunities are available out there, and to help you evaluate which area is best fit for you, this article will give an overview of some different fields.
Government hospital
Government hospitals are synonymous with public hospitals. In the Philippines, these are facilities managed and funded by the Department of Health (DOH), local government units (LGUs), or other national government agencies. 40% of Philippine hospitals fall under this category. On average, nurses working in a government hospital will receive a monthly salary of PhP 13,500.
The day to day work in a government hospital is considerably more hectic, with the biggest one – Philippine Government Hospital (PGH) – seeing 600,000 patients a year.
IDEAL FOR - nurses with great drive, stamina, and commitment to delivering quality care to individuals of all backgrounds - nurses who would like to gain heavy exposure to a lot of different illnesses and injuries and to diversify their skills set & knowledge nurses who want to receive hardy training in very interesting and challenging clinical conditions
Private hospital
Private hospitals, contrastingly, are those which are not supported by public funds. The average salary for nurses in a private hospital is around PhP 20,000 in the city, and PhP 10,000 – 12,000 in rural areas.
This discrepancy in pay between private and public hospitals can be attributed to several reasons. For instance, private hospital nurses see a smaller volume of patients in comparison to those in government hospitals. Private hospitals are also great stepping stones to working abroad, especially if the hospital is reputable.
IDEAL FOR - nurses who want a more manageable or comfortable slate of patients at a time - nurses who are comfortable being expected to deliver highly personalized care - nurses who prefer a relatively relaxed schedule with routine procedures and cases
Home nursing
As its name implies, home nursing refers to the provision of care in a home setting as opposed to a formal healthcare facility. Home nurses can either be hired through an agency that specializes in home care or as directly by an employer, as freelancers. The work dynamic for home nurses is quite varied and highly dependent on the specific needs of patients being looked after.
Some patients may only need monitoring once a day by their nurse, while others might need a live-in home nurse that provides round-the-clock assistance and care.
IDEAL FOR - nurses who want to work outside of a formal medical facility - nurses who would like more control over their work schedules or who would like a more unconventional work schedule - nurses who are open to flexible duties that may sometimes go beyond strictly medical tasks (for example, accompanying patients on trips or excursions, etc.)
Non-hospital setting
There are non-hospital settings that have places for nurses. Schools and non-healthcare companies are places that require “non-bedside nursing” and yet are still equally rewarding and advantageous for career growth.
Nurses who work in schools will be able to develop their interpersonal skills through interaction with students and teachers. School nurses are also expected to oversee and to introduce health programs and activities, and to keep medical records and documents organized.
IDEAL FOR - nurses who want to apply their knowledge and skills in less traditional and relatively less stressful settings
Physician’s office
Office nurses are those that perform myriad duties in a physician’s office, the scope of which covers medical, organizational, and administrative work. Aside from assisting a doctor with check-ups and basic medical procedures for patients who do not require admission into the hospital, office nurses are also responsible for collecting payments, keeping patient records organized, scheduling appointments, among many others.
IDEAL FOR - nurses who prefer a setting of non-emergency care - nurses who are on the more social side and can spend extended periods of time interacting closely and casually with lots of patients and their families - nurses who can perform administrative tasks on top of basic medical procedures
Nursing care facilities
Nursing care facilities or skilled nursing facilities, are in-patient centers that temporarily accommodate individuals who require rehabilitation treatment and continuous monitoring and observation. Skilled nursing facilities mainly differ from nursing homes in that the latter is a more permanent accommodation for patients who need a greater level of round-the-clock assistance, but not necessarily meticulous medical treatment.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are some specialties that fall under the type of “skilled nursing” needed in these facilities.
IDEAL FOR - nurses with a high level of physical, mental, and emotional stamina - nurses who are passionately committed to their patients’ everyday concerns and needs - nurses who are comfortable in a dedicated, round-the-clock setting
Outpatient care centers
Outpatient care centers see patients who do not need hospital admission but require some medical treatments or tests. Some outpatient procedures include blood tests, x-rays, or dialysis. Nurses in outpatient care centers typically perform routine medical tasks. The demand for outpatient care nurses has increased due to the pandemic, because of the need for COVID-related testing. Besides the skills in administering outpatient procedures, this role demands traveling, going to unknown environments, performing procedures at unfamiliar locations, etc.
IDEAL FOR - nurses who are comfortable juggling different medical and administrative tasks from day to day - nurses who prefer a more predictable and regular schedule