"EVOLUTION NURSING: THEN, NOW AND WILL BE…” PERCEPTIONS OF FILIPINO REGISTERED NURSES ON THE NURSING PROFESSION

Abstract

This study aims to understand the perceptions of Filipino's registered nurses about nursing in the past, present and in the future. Colaizzi's methodological approach to phenomenological inquiry was utilized in analyzing the data gathered from this study. The participants of the study are Filipino Registered Nurses who are residing or working either in Filipino or abroad. After significant statements were extracted from the transcripts of the responses and the analysis of the formulated meanings emerged into four themes. The four clustered themes emerged were: Extinction: A course before time, with five subthemes, Nurses are assistants to doctors, Limitation in the scope of learning and practice, Nursing: A woman's job, Nursing: A calling to serve, and Human touch against mechanical works; Enhancement: A profession of the modern time, with five subthemes, Enthusiasm in the nursing career, Nurses are respected healthcare providers, More empowered, more opportunities, In search for greener pastures, and Dependence on technology; Emergence: A 21 Century breakthrough in care, with three subthemes, Age of Innovative and technological development, Globally-competent nursing practice, and Computerized Documentation and Recording; and Encompassing: Nursing as a Caring Profession. These Filipino registered nurses lived and described their rich experiences from a phase of the 4 E's: Extinction, Enhancement, Emergence and Encompassing Phase. It is quite evident that the nursing profession has greatly evolved through time. As time passed by, the amount of care is not diminished but further enhanced with the advent of modern technology. This study enlightens our eyes to the reality of the nursing profession of the modern times and how it will be in the future.