1.Mental health status and academic performance of graduating nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic in a government school in Leyte, mental health program model: A correlational study.
Maria Ivy Rochelle S. TAN ; Daisy FANGKINGAN-FABA-AN
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(8):59-68
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education worldwide, prompting a rapid shift to emergency remote teaching that challenged students’ learning and mental health. Nursing students, in particular, faced heightened pressures due to the suspension or online adaptation of essential clinical experiences, alongside the need to master theoretical and practical competencies. Emerging evidence indicates that such stressors adversely affect students’ emotional and psychological well-being, potentially influencing academic outcomes. Understanding the relationship between mental health and academic performance among nursing students is crucial for developing targeted interventions that support their well-being and professional readiness.
OBJECTIVEThis study analyzed the mental health status and academic performance of graduating nursing students during the challenging period of remote learning amid the pandemic in a government school in Leyte.
METHODSThe study utilized a descriptive correlational design to explore the relationships between mental health status and academic performance among nursing students. A modified self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather data. Ethical approval from Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development ConsortiumEthics Review with ERC number 2023-024 was secured, and data collection occurred through various methods. Data analysis used SPSS version 24, emphasizing the importance of understanding these relationships in educational settings.
RESULTSThe study assessed the demographic profile, online learning attributes, mental health status, and academic performance of 20 nursing students during the pandemic. All students passed their courses, despite reporting moderate emotional loneliness and irritability, but minimal fear of COVID-19. Significant correlations were found between demographic factors and mental health indicators. The null hypothesis, suggesting no relationship between demographic factors and mental health, is void, as significant associations were identified. Recommendations include enhancing mental health support in nursing education to address these challenges.
CONCLUSIONThis study highlights the experiences of 20 nursing students from a government college in Leyte during the COVID-19 pandemic. Predominantly young women from rural, low-income backgrounds, these students faced challenges like poor internet access but successfully completed their academic requirements, showcasing resilience. While they reported low fear of COVID-19, moderate emotional loneliness and irritability indicated underlying mental health issues. The findings stress the need for educational institutions to provide mental health support and address the digital divide to enhance student well-being and success.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Statistics As Topic ; Psychological Well-being ; Indicators And Reagents ; Students, Nursing ; Suspensions ; Academic Performance ; Learning ; Pandemics ; Nursing ; Education, Nursing ; Covid-19 ; Mental Health
2.A cultural values model of pakikipag-ugnayan: Examining hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan among Filipino generation Z nurses.
Angelika B. AVILA ; Francis Oliver M. ALDABA ; Maryjoy Loraine T. ALMONTE ; Enrique B. ALZATE ; Trisha B. AMITA ; Ma. Andrea M. AVILA ; Zg Jungco A. ASOY ; Tristan Jourdan C. DELA CRUZ
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(9):91-99
OBJECTIVES
This study explored the interplay of three Filipino cultural values—hiya (modesty/self-restraint), pakikisama (conflict-avoidance dimension of social harmony), and pakikipag-ugnayan (professional engagement, characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption)—among Generation Z nurses in Quezon City. Specifically, it assessed their levels, examined interrelationships through correlation and path analysis, and developed a framework to illustrate their influence on nursing practice. In the Filipino context, hiya encompasses both positive dimensions, such as conscientiousness, moral accountability, and social responsibility, and constraining dimensions, including excessive self-restraint, fear of criticism, and inhibition. Pakikisama, while fostering harmony, may discourage assertiveness and limit open communication. Pakikipag-ugnayan, conceptualized here as engagement, reflects dedication, vigor, and absorption, which are vital for performance, patient safety, and workforce retention.
METHODSA descriptive–correlational design was utilized to assess the relationships among hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan. Data were gathered through a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising validated scales for each construct, distributed in online formats to accommodate participants’ availability and work schedules. The purposive sample consisted of 115 Filipino Generation Z nurses engaged in direct patient care in various healthcare facilities in Quezon City. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to summarize variable scores, Spearman’s rho to examine bivariate correlations, and path analysis to determine the direct and indirect effects among the variables. The results of the path analysis were used to develop a proposed framework illustrating the interplay of these cultural values in nursing practice.
RESULTSPath analysis revealed distinct patterns in the interplay of hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan among Generation Z nurses in Quezon City. Very high hiya scores (mean = 5.32) reflected both moral accountability and restraint-oriented tendencies. Despite these positive indicators, hiya showed a negative correlation with pakikipag-ugnayan, suggesting that its inhibiting side—marked by fear of criticism and avoidance of mistakes—may overshadow its constructive moral aspects. In contrast, the path analysis identified a moderate positive direct effect between hiya and pakikipag-ugnayan (β = 0.400, pCONCLUSION
Among Generation Z nurses, hiya demonstrates a dual role: while its ethical and conscientious aspects can strengthen pakikipag-ugnayan, its inhibiting side may suppress pakikipag-ugnayan. Pakikisama, operationalized as conflict avoidance and withholding dissent, emerged as a barrier to pakikipag-ugnayan by discouraging open communication. These findings informed the development of the Hiya–Pakikisama– Pakikipag-ugnayan Cultural Dynamics Framework, which illustrates how cultural values can simultaneously enable and constrain professional engagement. The framework has potential applications in nursing education and organizational practice, particularly in designing reflective learning, mentorship, and communication strategies that balance cultural sensitivity with assertiveness. Further validation across generations and healthcare settings is recommended to refine its applicability.
Human ; Weights And Measures ; Sensitivity And Specificity ; Retention (psychology) ; Education, Nursing ; Social Responsibility ; Appointments And Schedules ; Conflict (psychology)
3.Mental health status and academic performance of graduating nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic in a government school in Leyte, mental health program model: A correlational study.
Maria Ivy Rochelle S. TAN ; Daisy FANGKINGAN-FABA-AN
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(8):59-68
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education worldwide, prompting a rapid shift to emergency remote teaching that challenged students’ learning and mental health. Nursing students, in particular, faced heightened pressures due to the suspension or online adaptation of essential clinical experiences, alongside the need to master theoretical and practical competencies. Emerging evidence indicates that such stressors adversely affect students’ emotional and psychological well-being, potentially influencing academic outcomes. Understanding the relationship between mental health and academic performance among nursing students is crucial for developing targeted interventions that support their well-being and professional readiness.
OBJECTIVEThis study analyzed the mental health status and academic performance of graduating nursing students during the challenging period of remote learning amid the pandemic in a government school in Leyte.
METHODSThe study utilized a descriptive correlational design to explore the relationships between mental health status and academic performance among nursing students. A modified self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather data. Ethical approval from Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development ConsortiumEthics Review with ERC number 2023-024 was secured, and data collection occurred through various methods. Data analysis used SPSS version 24, emphasizing the importance of understanding these relationships in educational settings.
RESULTSThe study assessed the demographic profile, online learning attributes, mental health status, and academic performance of 20 nursing students during the pandemic. All students passed their courses, despite reporting moderate emotional loneliness and irritability, but minimal fear of COVID-19. Significant correlations were found between demographic factors and mental health indicators. The null hypothesis, suggesting no relationship between demographic factors and mental health, is void, as significant associations were identified. Recommendations include enhancing mental health support in nursing education to address these challenges.
CONCLUSIONThis study highlights the experiences of 20 nursing students from a government college in Leyte during the COVID-19 pandemic. Predominantly young women from rural, low-income backgrounds, these students faced challenges like poor internet access but successfully completed their academic requirements, showcasing resilience. While they reported low fear of COVID-19, moderate emotional loneliness and irritability indicated underlying mental health issues. The findings stress the need for educational institutions to provide mental health support and address the digital divide to enhance student well-being and success.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Statistics As Topic ; Psychological Well-being ; Indicators And Reagents ; Students, Nursing ; Suspensions ; Academic Performance ; Learning ; Pandemics ; Nursing ; Education, Nursing ; Covid-19 ; Mental Health
4.Readiness, perception, and attitude toward interprofessional education among students in a stepladder and community-based health science tertiary institution: A cross-sectional study
Ruvi Ann D. Tan-linugao ; Charlie C. Falguera
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(9):90-97
BACKGROUND
Interprofessional education (IPE) is a kind of education that fosters an environment of teamwork and collaboration among various healthcare professionals, such as midwives, nurses, and doctors. Identifying midwifery, nursing, and medical students’ IPE readiness, perception, and attitude is critical to formally and effectively implement IPE programs in the curriculum.
OBJECTIVEThis study determined the readiness, perception, and attitude for IPE and the relationships between them, including the personal characteristics of the Midwifery, Nursing, and Doctor of Medicine students enrolled in a stepladder and community-based health science tertiary institution in the Philippines.
METHODSA descriptive cross-sectional design was employed involving 166 students selected through a stratified random sampling technique who were drawn from the three health programs. The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS), Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS), and Interprofessional Attitude Scale (IPAS) were used to assess students’ readiness, perception, and attitude toward IPE, respectively. Pearson’s r-moment correlation, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to determine correlations between the variables.
RESULTSHigh scores were demonstrated on the students’ readiness, perception, and attitude toward IPE. A significant correlation was found between prior exposure and readiness to IPE. Further, a significant and positive correlation was found between the students’ readiness, perception, and attitude toward IPE. Preparing students for interdisciplinary learning may promote positive perceptions and attitudes.
CONCLUSIONSMidwifery, nursing, and medical students had a high readiness, perception, and attitude toward IPE. IPE readiness, perception, and attitude were correlated to one another. The study recommends formally incorporating IPE in the stepladder and community-based curriculum, such as embedding IPE concepts and competencies in the program specifications.
Interprofessional Education ; Midwifery ; Nursing ; Medicine
6.Empty our cups: A reflection on lifelong learning and impactful research in nursing
Philippine Journal of Nursing 2025;95(1):94-95
This reflective paper explored the philosophical foundations of lifelong learning and impactful research in the field of nursing. Anchored in personal experience and supported by scholarly literature, it illustrated the transformative power of continuous learning, the cultivation of research competence, and the moral responsibility of contributing meaningfully to society. A nurse researcher's journey is not defined by awards or accomplishment but by an unwavering dedication to knowledge creation, community involvement, and evidence-based practice. The "emptying one's cup" metaphor embodies intellectual humility, a mindset that keeps the mind open to learning, self-improvement, and meaningful service throughout one's career.
Human ; Lifelong Learning ; Education, Continuing ; Nursing Research ; Reflective Practice ; Cognitive Reflection
7.Navigating the digital shift: Review of literature and recommendations for enhancing nursing informatics education in the Philippines
Neil Roy B. Rosales ; Reiner Lorenzo J. Tamayo
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(Early Access 2025):1-11
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to synthesize existing literature on nursing informatics (NI) and propose updates to the Philippine Nursing Informatics curriculum that embrace current trends and integrate a globally acknowledged framework.
METHODSA literature search was conducted on PubMed and ScienceDirect. This search identified 79 articles, of which only eight met the inclusion criteria. The Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) initiative provided the framework for analyzing the literature review outcomes and for developing the revised course structure for the Nursing Informatics (NI) curriculum in the Philippines.
RESULTSThe revised course outline incorporated 31 topics across the six domains outlined by the TIGER framework. Upon comparison, it was found that numerous topics identified were absent from the existing NI curriculum in the Philippines. Key subjects identified for inclusion encompass research, examination of standards and terminologies, application in community health, cybersecurity, project management, and advocacy. These areas hold particular relevance for the Philippines, attributed to the limited recognition of NI and the ongoing advancements related to technological applications in healthcare.
CONCLUSIONThe nursing informatics curriculum in the Philippines is not up to date, failing to align with global NI standards. It is recommended that a thorough revision and enhancement be undertaken to ensure alignment with international frameworks and current industry practices.
Human ; Nursing Informatics ; Education, Nursing ; Curriculum ; Review ; Philippines
8.Post-pandemic implications of the nursing students' clinical learning environment and its relationship to academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors: A cross-sectional study
Charlie C. Falguera ; Janet Alexis A. De los santos ; Carmen N. Firmo ; Paulo Batidor
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(Early Access 2025):1-10
BACKGROUND
The clinical learning environment (CLE) significantly influenced the nursing students' learning experience. While clinical learning is the heart of nursing education, certain non-academic factors might be influenced by CLE. Consequently, CLE may be affected during a health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between nursing students’ CLE and their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors in the Central Philippines.
METHODSA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 462 nursing students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Four self-report questionnaires were adopted to gather the data: a 42-item Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) scale, short-form Grit (Grit-S) scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem (RSE) scale, and Caring Behavior Inventory (CBI-24) scale. Spearman rho and rank-biserial correlation tools were used to analyze the data.
RESULTSThe results indicated that the clinical learning environment was positively associated with academic grit, selfesteem, and caring behavior. Some profiles of the participants, such as age, sex, year level, type of school, leadership experiences, clinical setting experience, and willingness to be a nurse, were significantly associated with the clinical learning environment, academic grit, self-esteem, and/or caring behavior.
CONCLUSIONSStudents’ CLE influences their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behavior. That is, students who reported a more positive perception of CLE, the higher their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors. Furthermore, some students’ profile characteristics influence CLE, academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behavior. Enhancing CLE while promoting grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors of nursing students affiliated with hospitals or any clinical learning settings and promoting alternative means of meeting CLE competencies when face-to-face interactions are restricted during a health crisis are recommended.
Human ; Clinical Practicum ; Preceptorship ; Mental Health ; Education, Nursing
9.Post-pandemic implications of the nursing students' clinical learning environment and its relationship to academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors: A cross-sectional study.
Charlie C. FALGUERA ; Janet Alexis A. DE LOS SANTOS ; Carmen N. FIRMO ; Paulo BATIDOR
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(18):71-80
BACKGROUND
The clinical learning environment (CLE) significantly influenced the nursing students' learning experience. While clinical learning is the heart of nursing education, certain non-academic factors might be influenced by CLE. Consequently, CLE may be affected during a health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between nursing students’ CLE and their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors in the Central Philippines.
METHODSA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 462 nursing students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Four self-report questionnaires were adopted to gather the data: a 42-item Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) scale, short-form Grit (Grit-S) scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem (RSE) scale, and Caring Behavior Inventory (CBI-24) scale. Spearman rho and rank-biserial correlation tools were used to analyze the data.
RESULTSThe results indicated that the clinical learning environment was positively associated with academic grit, selfesteem, and caring behavior. Some profiles of the participants, such as age, sex, year level, type of school, leadership experiences, clinical setting experience, and willingness to be a nurse, were significantly associated with the clinical learning environment, academic grit, self-esteem, and/or caring behavior.
CONCLUSIONSStudents’ CLE influences their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behavior. That is, students who reported a more positive perception of CLE, the higher their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors. Furthermore, some students’ profile characteristics influence CLE, academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behavior. Enhancing CLE while promoting grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors of nursing students affiliated with hospitals or any clinical learning settings and promoting alternative means of meeting CLE competencies when face-to-face interactions are restricted during a health crisis are recommended.
Human ; Clinical Practicum ; Preceptorship ; Mental Health ; Education, Nursing
10.Navigating the digital shift: Review of literature and recommendations for enhancing nursing informatics education in the Philippines.
Neil Roy B. ROSALES ; Reiner Lorenzo J. TAMAYO
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(15):66-76
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to synthesize existing literature on nursing informatics (NI) and propose updates to the Philippine Nursing Informatics curriculum that embrace current trends and integrate a globally acknowledged framework.
METHODSA literature search was conducted on PubMed and ScienceDirect. This search identified 79 articles, of which only eight met the inclusion criteria. The Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) initiative provided the framework for analyzing the literature review outcomes and for developing the revised course structure for the Nursing Informatics (NI) curriculum in the Philippines.
RESULTSThe revised course outline incorporated 31 topics across the six domains outlined by the TIGER framework. Upon comparison, it was found that numerous topics identified were absent from the existing NI curriculum in the Philippines. Key subjects identified for inclusion encompass research, examination of standards and terminologies, application in community health, cybersecurity, project management, and advocacy. These areas hold particular relevance for the Philippines, attributed to the limited recognition of NI and the ongoing advancements related to technological applications in healthcare.
CONCLUSIONThe nursing informatics curriculum in the Philippines is not up to date, failing to align with global NI standards. It is recommended that a thorough revision and enhancement be undertaken to ensure alignment with international frameworks and current industry practices.
Human ; Nursing Informatics ; Education, Nursing ; Curriculum ; Review ; Philippines


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