Learning never stops for anyone – for majority it’s in the practical experiences that teach them nuggets of wisdom but for nurses and healthcare professionals – it’s the constant need to be-in-the-know about the latest trends and updates in their field in order to keep up with the changing landscape of providing adequate care.
For 2019 The Filipino Times Awards Healthcare Professional of the Year Jose Arnold Tariga, it’s the value of imparting knowledge for his fellow healthcare professionals as he found the right balance in a knowledge-sharing platform which he now does as a career, and as his personal advocacy.
Overcoming Challenges
One of Tariga’s earliest memories during his first few years in the nursing industry is fainting at the sight of blood – one which is indeed unusual for healthcare practitioners that he eventually overcame. “It was not an easy endeavor at first, and I did faint during my first exposure in the operating room, but I managed to survive 4 years of nursing school and eventually fell in love with the profession,” reminisces Tariga.
12 years later he now found himself equipped with a PhD in Education, international certifications of being a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and as a certified American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor, along with other local and international merits. It’s easy to think that Tariga had it easy to course through his career – but it was when he got demoted from a position that he realized the real value of his chosen profession thus far.
“Life has thrown me a lot of stones but the biggest one happened a few years ago when I was demoted from a position because I took responsibility for the failure of a subordinate. It was a big blow for me as I really worked hard to get to that point, and all the hard-work just dissipated into thin air for something that I did not even do. I was also once told by a superior that I will never measure up and I will never get promoted in the post that I work hard for because I am not Western-trained,” shares Tariga.
Filled with doubts and uncertainties, he found a silver lining in dedicating himself to creating a well-rounded learning environment and establishing and Education and Training Department in their facility.
“For a moment, I doubted my capabilities and myself but then I realized that no amount of Western-training can ever replace a man’s dedication, integrity and perseverance. Because of these events, my passion for teaching was rekindled and that negative situation turned out into something positive and indeed I proved them wrong as I am now leading a team and making a difference in my organization and in patients’ lives.”
Knowledge-sharing beyond four corners
Today, Tariga is instrumental in his company as the face for new nurses to learn from as he guides them through providing adequate care for all their patients. “My recent field of specialization is in clinical nursing education where I train new nurses in my facility on the provision of holistic care to critical patients with complex needs particularly those on mechanical ventilation,” shares Tariga.
He now also spearheads several trainings, workshops and free Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses where healthcare professionals can earn credit for attendance and volunteers his time to help fellow Filipinos prepare to take the Special Professional Licensure Exams held annually for them to earn their license from the Philippines and become Registered Nurses.
“I always believe that we are all created with a specific purpose and calling in this life. Whatever your calling or profession is – just keep doing your best and keep believing in yourself and your God. Life is filled with possibilities so as long as you keep dreaming in a SMART way (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound), there is a greater chance that what was once just a dream can turn into a reality and you can become what God created you to be,” said Tariga.
