This article was first published in Universitas in the first quarter of 1997. Photo from the Institute of Health and Nursing Australia.
Professional expertise guided by sound bioethical principles—through this, the UA&P Institute for Nursing Development (IND) hopes to make its students in the Master of Arts in Nursing catalysts for development.
Recognizing the importance of ethically sound behavior, IND faculty and students organize various talks and seminars on bioethics inside and outside UA&P. Most recently, an IND mentor has been invited by the Far Eastern University (FEU) to speak on bioethics. Behind this initiative is an IND student who teaches at FEU and is deeply concerned about the lack of ethical formation of her graduating students.
Nurses from all over Metro Manila attended the “Vision for the Future” seminar organized by the IND at UA&P in May 1996.
Another venue in which students can discuss the application of ethical principles to everyday life is the National Culture of Excellence (NCE). Various topics, among other academic and nonacademic concerns, are tackled in the monthly tutorials with each student, thus ensuring the ethical formation of each individual.
At the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, the training supervisor, also an IND student, is designing a three-session training program on values formation. Also, the Moral Recovery Program Committee of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center has made the reading of NCE commentaries a weekly activity.
For the students, the most important project is translating what is learned in the classroom to daily experiences.
One student, a supervisor at St. Luke’s Medical Center, applies bioethical principles in discussing specific medical cases with doctors. She calls the attention of some doctors on the need to give clear and comprehensive information to their patients. Another student involved in social work has incorporated NCE values into her classes with street children. Still another student makes the NCE reading a family activity. The NCE commentaries even found its way to prayer meetings of Iglesia ni Kristo members.
A number of students regard the NCE topics as small reminders to develop self-discipline and humility. Dr. Adoracion Tañega, IND Director, notes, “The students bring NCE to their [workplaces] and their families.” As one IND freshman puts it, the NCE is like an alarm clock that rouses one from the slumber of indifference. “In fact, clinical instructors’ reports are given punctually on the week ‘punctuality’ is commented on,” Dr. Tañega adds.
Dr. Dory Tañega holds the distinction of being the first female child psychiatrist in the Philippines. She passed away on December 12, 2017.
The lectures on values formation and ethics complemented by UA&P’s cheerful and pleasant atmosphere has had satisfactory results. For one thing, the easygoing students have changed their study habits while the skeptical ones have begun to value the holistic education and sincere attention UA&P gives. It is no wonder, then, that students look forward to every Saturday—the day of their classes at UA&P—despite stringent academic requirements.
Indeed, people development can be achieved only through the formation of the whole person. The IND stands by this principle, and looks forward to lasting change in the lives of its students and the people whose health they take care of. #
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