This is a qualitative phenomenological study that explored the challenges found by fifteen purposively selected Filipino nurses in the pursuit of their profession. These nurses started to practice their profession within the years 2004 to the present. Data gathering was done through electronic mail using a semi-structured questionnaire as the main instrument and Colaizzi's method was employed in data analysis. Four (4) central themes, together with their corresponding sub themes, emerged from this study: (1) Challenges faced are nurse volunteerism, poor pay, and extreme workload; (2) Responses to these challenges are underemployment, working abroad, rest and recreation, and spiritual beliefs/ practices; (3) Future plans are teaching fellow nurses or peers, advanced studies and clinical specialization, and return to nursing practice (for those who left the profession at the time of this study's pursuit); and (4) Appreciation of the nursing profession due to their heightened awareness of its nobility and importance, learned resilience as individuals, developed desire to continuously learn, and attained competencies as nurses. Professional nursing organizations, in collaboration with concerned government agencies, private healthcare companies, and nursing schools nationwide, should strive to provide greater employment opportunities and more conducive work environments to address the perceived challenges and to, ultimately, improve the plight of the country's nurse practitioners for optimal delivery of quality nursing care.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Workload ; Electronic Mail ; Schools, Nursing ; Workplace ; Employment ; Nurse Practitioners ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Government Agencies ; Volunteers ; Recreation