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.

OBJECTIVE

This 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.

METHODS

A 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.

RESULTS

High 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.

CONCLUSIONS

Midwifery, 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

Human ; Education, Continuing ; Nursing Research

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

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.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between nursing students’ CLE and their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors in the Central Philippines.

METHODS

A 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.

RESULTS

The 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.

CONCLUSIONS

Students’ 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

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.

METHODS

A 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.

RESULTS

The 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.

CONCLUSION

The 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

Nursing leadership and scholarship in the Philippines have evolved alongside the country's shifting socio-political and educational landscape. This feature article presents a first-person narrative of a nurse leader's journey from humble beginnings in Santiago, Isabela, to national and global leadership roles in education, regulation, and advocacy. This article aimed to illustrate how personal vocation, grounded in service and faith, can transform into professional leadership and scholarship that shape institutions, influence policy, and nurture future generations of Filipino nurses. Using autobiographical lens, I recounted formative experiences across clinical practice, education, administration, and regulation. These reflections are interwoven with leadership theories and scholarly evidence from global nursing literature that demonstrate how enduring principles such as servant leadership, integrity, resilience, compassion, and mentorship can guide professional practice. This narrative highlighted milestones such as pioneering collegiate nursing education at UERMMC, spearheading faculty and curricular reforms as Dean, championing ethical practice during the nursing licensure examination scandal, and advancing professional regulation through initiatives like the Career Progression and Specialization Program. It also underscored the role of resilience in overcoming personal affliction, the importance of mentorship in sustaining legacy, and the impact of integrity in safeguarding nursing's credibility. From the parable of the mustard seed to the reality of nation-building through nursing, this life story affirmed that leadership and scholarship are not individual achievements but collective legacies. By embracing lifelong learning, ethical practice and a commitment to national service, Filipino nurses can continue to grow as competent practitioners, compassionate caregivers, and visionary leaders who contribute to equitable and sustainable health systems. In telling this story, I also sought to situate my journey within the broader context of nursing leadership in the Philippines, where enduring challenges and emerging opportunities continue to call for vision, resilience, and integrity.

Human ; Scholarship ; Fellowships And Scholarships ; Resilience ; Resilience, Psychological ; Regulation ; Social Control, Formal ; Mentorships ; Mentors ; Education, Nursing ; Philippines

BACKGROUND

Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) in the Philippines has shifted perioperative training from numeric case quotas toward demonstrated competencies, with simulation increasingly used to address limited operating room (OR) exposure.

OBJECTIVE

This study determined the level of perioperative clinical performance among senior (4th year) nursing students and had also examined associations with four influencing domains: teaching–learning, interpersonal, student-related, and environmental.

METHODS

A descriptive–correlational study was conducted in AY 2023–2024 across higher education institutions in Eastern Visayas. A universal sample of 280 fourth-year BSN students who met minimum perioperative case requirements participated via online and paper surveys. Aresearcher-developed, expert-validated instrument that was anchored on CHED outcomes and PRC–BON guidelines was used to assess 11 competence domains in order to perceive influencing factors. Internal consistency was excellent (performance α = .987; factors α = .944). Descriptive statistics summarized competence; while Fisher’s Exact Test was used to assess associations (p < .05).

RESULTS

Competence was strongest in aseptic technique, patient safety, teamwork, documentation, and ethical–legal responsibilities. Lower ratings were noted for surgical skin preparation, anesthesia assistance, patient transport, medication safety, health education, and quality improvement. Among the four domains, only environmental factors (resources, workflow support, safety culture) were significantly associated with performance (Fisher’s Exact, p = .013).

CONCLUSION

Senior nursing students demonstrated strong technical and ethical perioperative competence but showed persistent gaps in less-frequent and higher-order competencies. Environmental supports in the OR decisively shaped performance. Programs should scale simulation for under-practiced tasks, strengthen mentorship, and explicitly integrate health education and quality improvement within perioperative training.

Human ; Learning ; Education ; Students, Nursing ; Mental Competency

Self-efficacy is central to effective academic nursing leadership since it influences decision-making, resilience, and organizational outcomes. This phenomenological study described the essence of leadership self-efficacy among nurse leaders in Philippine higher education institutions. Using Colaizzi's method, data was collected through semi-structured interviews (n=10) and one focus-group discussion (n = 8). Analysis yielded three interwoven essences: (1) Personal Capacities of a SelfEfficacious Leader (decisiveness, resilience, reflective composure), (2) Relational–Communicative Doing of Leadership (ethical consistency, collaboration, mentoring), and (3) Professional–Organizational Grounding (resource navigation, quality assurance, continuous learning). Recognition indicators of achieved self-efficacy included sustained goal attainment, composed decision-making, entrustment by stakeholders, reduced self-doubt, and ethical consistency. Findings suggested that academic nurse leaders' self-efficacy is a multi-dimensional structure rather than a linear developmental process. Implications were offered for leadership preparation, mentoring, and appraisal.

Human ; Nursing ; Leadership ; Education, Continuing ; Philippines

Spiritual care is recognized globally as an essential component of holistic nursing, however, in the Philippines it remains marginal and inconsistently practiced. Despite existing policies since 1984, affirming the nurse's responsibility to promote a spiritual environment, the absence of competency standards, curricular integration, institutional protocols, and evaluation mechanisms had left Filipino nurses ill-equipped to meet patients' spiritual needs. This gap undermines holistic care, weakens nurse–patient relationships, and perpetuates a biomedical focus at the expense of patient well-being.

This policy paper called for the development and adoption of a Philippine-specific, competency-based framework for spiritual care. Such a framework would translate abstract policy declarations into measurable practice by: (1) embedding clear competencies in nursing curricula and licensure examinations; (2) institutionalizing training, mentorship, and faculty development; (3) creating guidelines, tools, and referral systems for health facilities; and (4) integrating monitoring, evaluation, and research into quality assurance systems.

By aligning education, practice, and policy, this framework will normalize spiritual care as a professional nursing standard in order to enable Filipino nurses to deliver person-centered and culturally sensitive care, improve holistic health outcomes, and reaffirm the central role of spirituality in health and healing.

Human ; Philippines ; Nursing ; Spirituality ; Holistic Nursing ; Education, Nursing

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.

METHODS

A 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.

RESULTS

The 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.

CONCLUSION

The 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