On 7 May 2021, the Filipino Nursing Diaspora (FiND) Network and the College of Nursing, Holy Angel University hosted a webinar coinciding with the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Day celebration.
FiND Network president, Prof. Violeta Lopez, RN, PhD said that 2021 provides an opportunity for the nursing profession, stating:
“It’s a celebration and an opportunity to contribute and highlight what we can do as nurses. Our Filipino nurses represent a significant proportion of the healthcare sector in the Philippines and other countries, and have always been one of the key pillars for the nursing profession”
Vice-President Leni Robredo and Anakalusugan Party representative Michael Defensor sent their celebratory greetings via recorded messages. A celebratory message from President Duterte was read during the event.
The highlight of the webinar was a presentation by the internationally renowned nursing management and leadership guru, Professor Carol Huston, RN, DPA, FAAN who spoke on a timely topic “Leading in Uncertain Times”. Carol emphasised that “all nurses need well-developed leadership skills to address rapidly changing complexities of 21st century healthcare”.
In her presentation, she suggested strategies that new and emerging nurse leaders might use to gain confidence and skill in their ability to lead in uncertain times including identifying a mentor and positive role models to guide their leadership development, adopting a global mindset about healthcare and nursing, and enjoying the leadership journey itself.
In his closing remarks, Dean Al Biag of the Holy Angel University said that “the topic has enriched our understanding and deepened our appreciation of the complex and dynamic nature of nursing leadership.” He extolled Dr. Huston’s simple and grounded explanation of the concepts of leadership which made it easy for novice and experienced nurses to consider assimilating the lessons imparted to their individual practice.
Leading during the COVID-19 crisis has been a stress test for leaders. According to Professor Lopez, “This test will hopefully allow our HealthCOVE project partners to be better prepared for managing a sustained period of pandemic-related disruptions that many are now anticipating”. She further said that “it will also stimulate proactive planning for future and unforeseen crisis preparedness”.
This webinar is part of the HealthCOVE project which is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs (Australia) ASEAN Council grant. Holy Angel University is one of the partners of the HealthCOVE project.
