SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No . .2583 
\'n;l it'" 
(t)H1\ 1 ,Ii 
~:rfrtbr~ 
JAN 22 P259 
Introduced by Senator TEOFISTO "TG" GUINGONA III 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS QUALITY 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE RA 9173 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Universal Health Care agenda of the Aquino administration requires health care 
workers with sufficient preparation and training to respond to the essential health 
needs of communities. The nurses are among those who play a critical role in 
achieving the intended goal of making health care services accessible to all Filipinos, 
However, the number of unemployed nurses is on the rise as a result of the health 
system's failure in determining and projecting human resource needs in and out of 
the country, Plantilla positions in public hospitals remain unfilled, making nurses 
vulnerable to exploitation and unfair labor practices. In recent years, nurses have 
been forced to work in job order or contractual terms, Many accept "volunteer" work 
or pay "training fees" just to be able to work, 
To address the major challenges faced by Filipino nurses, this proposed bill seeks to 
institute measures towards relevant nursing practice, just and human conditions of 
work, and promotion of professional growth in accordance with the State policy to 
uphold the dignity of nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, respect, 
and improvement of the nursing profession, 
"TG" GUINGONA III 


r 
{f}HII {.f H!;.' ~?tfft,l}r'l 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
JAN 22 P2:59 
SENATE 
s.No.~583 
Introduced by Senator TEOFISTO "TG" GUINGONA III 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS QUALITY 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE RA 9173 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
2 
3 
ARTICLE I 
General Provisions 
4 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Nursing Law of 
5 
2015." 
6 
7 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -
It is hereby declared the policy of the state to 
8 
uphold the dignity of the nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, respect, 
9 
and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures towards 
10 
competent and relevant nursing practice for health and safety of the public, just and 
11 
humane conditions of work, and promotion of professional growth. Thus, the State 
12 
recognizes nurses as prime movers of national development and contributors to 
13 
international cooperation and understanding. 
14 
15 
The State further guarantees the delivery of accessible, affordable, and available 
16 
quality health care to all the people through implementation of adequate and 
17 
competent Nursing Personnel System (NPS) throughout the country. 
18 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms when used in this act shall mean: 
19 
(a) Accredited Professional Organization (APO), refers to a professional 
20 
organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional Regulation 
21 
Commission as per RA No. 8981. 
22 
(b) Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), refers to a nurse who acquired substantial 
23 
theoretical knowledge and deCision making skills in the specialty area of 
24 
nursing practice and proficient clinical utilization of this knowledge in 
1 


1 
implementing 
independent and 
inter-dependent nursing interventions. 
2 
Specialties can be differentiated in categories, according to function, disease, 
3 
pathology, systems, age, sex, acuity, setting, technology, and therapies. They 
4 
must be given credentialing! certification by the Board. An APN must be a 
5 
master'S degree holder in nursing. 
6 
(c) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), refers to the basic program for nursing 
7 
education. 
8 
(d) Certification/ Credentialing refers to the process undertaken by an individual 
9 
nurse to be recognized to practice in a specifically defined professional tract 
10 
Le. General Nursing, Nursing Specialty! Advanced Practice, Nursing 
11 
Education, and Leadership and Governance. The Board confers the 
12 
certification or credential after a validation process based on promulgated 
13 
guidelines and mechanisms. 
14 
(e) Commission on Higher Education (CHED), refers to the body created by law 
15 
to promulgate policies, standards and guidelines in the implementation of 
16 
basic and graduate program for nursing education. 
17 
(f) Health Facility refers to an institution, establishment, clinic that offers health 
18 
services and nursing care, such as hospitals, barangay health centers, and 
19 
clinics. 
20 
(g) Nurse, as provided for in this Act, refers to a person who passed the 
21 
Philippine Nurse Licensure Exams (PNLE) and whose license has not been 
22 
revoked by the law. Thus, it pertains to a Registered Nurse (RN). A nurse 
23 
may append before his! her name the title "Nurse", "Nars", or "Nrs." or after 
24 
his! her name the title R. N. 
25 
(h) Nursing Personnel System (NPS), refers to a system of human resource 
26 
management in an institution that classifies the structure, organization, and 
27 
coordination within the workforce both in private and public health care 
28 
facilities and nursing educational institutions to advance the welfare and 
29 
protect the rights of the nurses and to ensure the employer-employee 
30 
relationship, security of tenure, just compensation, humane conditions of 
31 
work, and professional growth. 
32 
(i) Philippine Nurse Licensure Exams (PNLE), refers to a written examination 
33 
given by the Board in order to obtain license to practice nursing. 
34 
U) Precarious Work is the term used to described substandard employment 
35 
conditions, such as under-payment, absenca of salary, no security of tenure, 
36 
lack of employer - employee relationship, no benefits, poor working 
37 
conditions; and, deviation from the standard employment relationships, such 
38 
as contractual, false volunteerism, job orders thru agencies, part time, self-
39 
employment, fixed term work, temporary, on call, home workers, call center 
40 
jobs, few benefits, lack of collective bargaining representation, and no job 
41 
security. 
2 


1 
(k) Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), refers to the government agency 
2 
pursuant" to Republic Act No. 8981 or as may hereafter be amended or 
3 
repealed. It shall be referred to in this law as the Commission. 
4 
(I) Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing (PRBON), refers to the 
5 
administrative body created by law to supervise and regulate the practice of 
6 
the nursing profession in the Philippines. As such, the Board shall be the 
7 
ultimate authority in the practice of the profession in the Philippines. It shall be 
8 
referred to in this law as the Board. 
9 
(m) Public Health Institution (PHI), refers to any government-led, owned or 
10 
controlled institutions which pursues and realizes the lofty goals and 
11 
objectives of providing and managing safe, efficient, effective and quality 
12 
public health programs and services and advocacies for health, in all levels of 
13 
the Health Care Delivery System (HCDS - national to local) which include 
14 
among others: Rural Health Units (RHUs/ Barangay Health Centers); 
15 
Research Facilities e.g. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, etc.; 
16 
Training Resource Facilities e.g. the U.P. College of Public Health and State 
17 
or Local Colleges or Universities offering Health-Related Programs; the 
18 
Department of Health and all retained Health Facilities, and the like. 
19 
(n) Special Permit refers to the permit to practice nursing in the Philippines 
20 
issued by the Board to licensed nurses of foreign nationalities. 
21 
(0) Temporary Permit refers to the permit to practice nursing in the Philippines 
22 
issued by the Board to Filipino nurses, who does not have a professional 
23 
license from the Philippines or have not renewed their license for five (5) 
24 
years, but are licensed from foreign countries. 
25 
ARTICLE II 
26 
Board of Nursing 
27 
28 
Sec. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There shall be created a 
29 
Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing composed of seven (7) members who shall 
30 
elect among themselves a Chairperson to serve for one (1) term, without re-election. 
31 
The President of the Republic of the Philippines shall appoint the members of the 
32 
Board from among those recommended by the Commission and ranked from a list of 
33 
three (3) nominees, per vacancy, of the accredited professional organization of 
34 
nurses in the Philippines and who possess the qualifications in this Act. Provided, 
35 
that the membership of the Board shall comprise the scope of nursing practice. 
36 
37 
Sec. 5. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. - The members of the Board 
38 
must possess the following qualifications: 
39 
(a) Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines for the past 
40 
five (5) consecutive years; 
41 
(b) Must be a Nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a valid and updated 
42 
certificate of registration and a current professional identification card; 
3 


1 
(C) Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing and preferably with a 
2 
doctorate degree conferred by a university duly recognized by the 
3 
government; 
4 
(d) Must have at least ten (10) years of continuous practice of the nursing 
5 
profession prior to appointment. Provided, however, That the last five (5) 
6 
years of which must be in the Philippines; and 
7 
(e) Must be of good moral character and has not been convicted of any 
8 
offense involving moral turpitude. 
9 
10 
Sec. 6. Prohibition as Member of the Board. - A member of the Board shall not 
11 
hold a position nor have pecuniary interest in any educational institution offering 
12 
BSN, any review or training center for PNLE, training hospitals and health facilities 
13 
with nursing affiliates. 
14 
15 
Sec. 7. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of 
16 
three (3) years. Any member of the Board may serve for two (2) terms or a maximum 
17 
of six (6) years. 
18 
19 
Sec. 8. Vacancy. - Any vacancy in the Board must be filled in the manner prescribed 
20 
in this Act and only for the unexpired portion of the term. Each member of the Board 
21 
shall take the proper oath of office prior to the performance of duties. 
22 
Sec. 9. Compensation. - The members of the Board shall receive compensation and 
23 
allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the 
24 
members of other regulatory boards. 
25 
26 
Sec. 10. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
27 
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative 
28 
supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for 
29 
examinations, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board 
30 
must be under the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the 
31 
Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to 
32 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
33 
34 
Sec. 11. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and 
35 
regulate the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers, 
36 
duties and functions: 
37 
(a) Ensure the proper conduct of the PNLE, which includes the application, test 
38 
development, examination, correction and release of results. The use of 
39 
appropriate technologies and modalities during the conduct of the PN LE is 
40 
encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding integrity; 
41 
42 
(b) Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration for the practice of 
43 
nursing and ensure the widest publication through electronic and written media; 
44 
45 
(c) Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice, study the 
46 
conditions affecting the nursing practice in the Philippines, and exercise the 
47 
powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethico-rnoral, technical 
4 


1 
and professional standards in the practice of nursing towards the optimal health 
2 
and common good of the nation; 
3 
4 
(d) Ensure quality nursing education by examining and monitoring higher educational 
5 
institutions offering and seeking permission to open nursing education programs 
6 
and to ensure that standards of nursing education are properly complied with and 
7 
maintained at all times. Provided, that the Board and the CHED shall have joint 
8 
authority to open and close nursing education programs offered by higher 
9 
educational institutions; 
10 
11 
(e) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against actively 
12 
practicing nurses for unethical and unprofessional conduct and violations of this 
13 
Act, or its rules and regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena 
14 
duces tecum and subpoena ad testificandum to require the appearance of 
15 
respondents and witnesses and the production of documents and penalize with 
16 
contempt persons obstructing, impeding or otherwise interfering with the conduct 
17 
of such proceedings, upon application with the Board of Nursing; 
18 
19 
(f) Promulgate a Code of Ethics that is responsive to the needs of the nursing 
20 
profession in coordination with the APO of nurses within a year from the effectivity 
21 
of this Act; 
22 
23 
(g) Prescribe and operationalize, via necessary infrastructures, a National Nursing 
24 
Career Progression Program to ensure continuing professional development of 
25 
Filipino nurses, create the Council for Nursing Advancement, Recognition, and 
26 
Specialization as well as the various Nursing Specialty Boards to assist the Board 
27 
for this purpose; 
28 
29 
(h) Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions with the provision of 
30 
operational resources including human, financial and spatial resources to ensure 
31 
the confidentiality and sanctity of their functions as provided through the annual 
32 
budget of the Commission as promulgated in the General Appropriations Act; 
33 
34 
(i) Source and utilize funds earmarked for national nursing development; and 
35 
36 
U) Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and 
37 
influence authorities and agencies on decision-making as may be necessary for 
38 
the improvement of nursing practice, advancement of the profession, and for the 
39 
proper and full enforcement of this Act, subject to review and approval by 
40 
Commission. 
41 
42 
(k) Create a council for nursing recognition, accreditation and certification that will 
43 
assist the Board in: 
44 
a. Recognizing organized nursing groups; 
45 
46 
47 
48 
b. Setting standards for advanced nursing practice, education, research, and 
management; 
5 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
c, Accrediting specialty and advanced nursing programs based on 
established mechanisms; 
d, Credentialing individual registered nurse based on accepted criteria; and 
e, Monitoring and evaluating specialty and advanced nursing practice, 
education, research and management 
9 
Sec. 12. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of its calendar year, submit 
10 
an annual report to the President and Congress of the Philippines through the 
11 
Commission giving a detailed account of its proceedings and the accomplishments 
12 
during the year and making recommendations for the adoption of measures that will 
13 
upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of the nursing profession, 
14 
15 
Sec. 13. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. -
The President may 
16 
remove or suspend any member of the Board, after due process, on the following 
17 
grounds: 
18 
(a) 
Continued neglect of duty or incompetence; 
19 
(b) 
Commission or toleration of irregularities in the PNLE; and, 
20 
(c) 
Unprofessional, immoral or dishonorable conduct. 
21 
22 
23 
24 
ARTICLE III 
Examination and Registration 
25 
Sec. 14. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE). - In order to obtain a 
26 
certificate of registration, professional license, and professional identification card, all 
27 
nursing graduates must take and pass the PNLE. The Board shall administer the 
28 
PNLE in such place and date as designated by the Commission: Provided, That no 
29 
nursing educational institution may withhold any requirement or documents, or both, 
30 
of any nursing graduate for the purpose of preventing them to apply for the PNLE. All 
31 
nursing educational institution must ensure that their nursing graduates will take the 
32 
nearest scheduled PNLE after graduation, Any delay in taking the PNLE must be 
33 
accordingly justified by the President, Registrar or Dean of the educational institution 
34 
through a public instrument. 
35 
36 
Sec. 15. Scope of Examination. - The Board shall determine the scope of the 
37 
PNLE by taking into consideration the nursing core competenCies, the nursing 
38 
curriculum, the scope and areas of nursing practice, and other related disciplines, 
39 
40 
Sec. 16. Qualifications for Admission to the PNLE. -In order to be admitted to the 
41 
PNLE, an applicant: 
42 
(a) Must be a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a 
43 
recognized educational institution that complies with the standards of 
44 
nursing education duly recognized by CHED; 
45 
(b) Must be of good moral character and have not been convicted, by final 
6 


1 
judgment, of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or guilty of 
2 
immoral or dishonorable conduct, or any person declared by the court to 
3 
be of unsound mind; and, 
4 
(c) Must be a citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen or subject of a country 
5 
which permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the 
6 
same basis as the subject or citizen of such country; Provided, That the 
7 
requirements for the registration or licensing of nurses in said countries 
8 
are substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act. 
9 
Sec. 17. Fees for Examination and Registration. - Applicants for licensure and for 
10 
registration must pay the prescribed fees set by the Commission, 
11 
Sec. 18. Ratings. - In order to pass the PNLE, an examinee must obtain at least 
12 
seventy-five percent (75%) of tested areas of all competencies, An examinee who 
13 
has failed the PNLE three (3) times shall be barred from taking any further PNLE, 
14 
15 
Sec. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration, Professional License and 
16 
ProfeSSional Identification Card. - A certificate of registration and professional 
17 
license shall be issued to all successful examinees, subject to Section 14 of this 
18 
Article, A certificate of registration and professional license shall show the full name 
19 
of the registrant, the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission, and the 
20 
members of the Board, The certificate shall bear the logo of the Board and the official 
21 
seal of the CommiSSion, 
22 
23 
The Commission shall likewise issue the professional identification card, The card 
24 
must bear the following: full name of the registrant nurse, the serial number, the date 
25 
of issuance and expiration, the Signature of the Chairperson of the Commission; date 
26 
of registration, 
27 
28 
Sec. 20. Oath of Profession. - All successful examinees must take an oath of 
29 
profession before the Board or any government official authorized to administer oaths 
30 
prior to entering upon the nursing practice, 
31 
32 
Sec. 21. Roster of Nurses. - The Commission shall maintain a roster of nurses 
33 
pursuant to the PRC Automated System, The Roster of Nurses shalJ serve as the 
34 
centralized database for nursing professionals for purposes of documentation, 
35 
verification of registrants, statistics, research, and development. 
36 
37 
Sec. 22. Registration by Reciprocity. - The Board may issue a certificate of 
38 
registration! professional license, without examination, to a nurse registered under 
39 
the laws of a foreign state or country: Provided, That the requirements for registration 
40 
or licensing of nurse in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed 
41 
under this Act: Provided further, That the laws of such state or country grants the 
42 
same privileges to Professional Registered Nurse of the Philippines on the same 
43 
basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country, 
44 
45 
Sec. 23. Practice Through Special or Temporary Permit. - The Board may issue a 
46 
special or temporary permit to the following persons based on qualification, and 
7 


1 
professional and moral standards as approved by the Commission: Provided, that a 
2 
completion report will be submitted to the Commission after every mission, to wit: 
3 
4 
(a) Licensed nurses from foreign countries whose services are either for a fee or 
5 
free if they are internationally well-known specialists or outstanding experts in 
6 
any branch or specialty of nursing; 
7 
(b) Licensed nurses from foreign countries on medical mission whose services 
8 
shall be free in a particular hospital, center or clinic; 
9 
(c) Licensed 
nurses 
from 
foreign 
countries 
who 
are 
engaged 
by 
10 
colleges/universities offering the nursing program as exchange professors in 
11 
a branch or specialty of nursing; and, 
12 
(d) Licensed nurses from foreign countries who come to aid during declared 
13 
disasters and calamities. 
14 
15 
The special or temporary permit shall be effective only for the duration of the project, 
16 
medical mission or engagement contract. 
17 
18 
Sec. 24. Non-registration and Non-issuance of Certificate of Registration, 
19 
Professional License, Professional Identification Card, Special Permit or 
20 
Temporary Permit. - No person convicted by final judgment of any criminal offense 
21 
involving moral turpitude or any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or 
22 
any person declared by the court to be of unsound mind may be registered and 
23 
issued a certificate of registration, professional license, professional identification 
24 
card, or a special or temporary permit. 
25 
26 
The Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth the reasons for 
27 
the actions, which shall be incorporated in the records of the Board. 
28 
29 
Sec. 25. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration, Professional 
30 
License, and Professional Identification Card and Cancellation of Special or 
31 
Temporary Permit. - The Board shall have the power to revoke or suspend the 
32 
certificate of registration, professional license, professional identification card, or 
33 
cancel the special or temporary permit of a nurse upon any of the following grounds: 
34 
35 
(a) Conviction, by final judgment, of any criminal offense involving moral 
36 
turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or any person 
37 
declared by the court to be of unsound mind; 
38 
(b) Violation of this Act, its policies, rules and regulations, and of the 
39 
Philippine Code of Ethics for Nurses; 
40 
(c) Gross negligence, grave misconduct, ignorance, and incompetence in the 
41 
nursing practice; 
42 
(d) Fraud, concealment, misrepresentation, or false statements in obtaining a 
43 
certificate of registration, professional license, professional identification 
44 
card, special permit or temporary permit 
8 


1 
(e) Practice of the nursing profession pending suspension of license. 
2 
The suspension of the certificate of registration, professional license, and 
3 
professional identification card, shall be for a period not to exceed four (4) years. 
4 
5 
Sec. 26. 
Reinstatement and Re-Issuance of Revoked Certificates of 
6 
Registration, Professional License, and Professional Identification Card. - The 
7 
Board may, after the expiration of a maximum of four (4) years from the date of 
8 
revocation of a certificate of registration, professional license, and professional 
9 
identification card, for reasons of equity and justice, and when the cause for 
10 
revocation has disappeared or has been cured and corrected, upon proper 
11 
application thereof and the payment of the required fees, reinstate and re-issue the 
12 
certificate of registration, professional license, and professional identification card. 
13 
14 
15 
16 
ARTICLE IV 
Nursing Practice 
17 
Sec. 27. Nursing Practice. -
The administration of nursing care through the 
18 
utilization of the nursing process: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, 
19 
implementation, and evaluation. Nursing practice encompasses various stages of 
20 
development towards the promotion of health, prevention of illness, health care 
21 
techniques and procedures, restoration of health, alleviation of suffering, and end-of-
n 
life care, may it be performed independently or collaboratively. 
23 
24 
Sec. 28. Scope of Nursing Practice. - The following are the scope of nursing 
25 
practice: (1) nursing education; (2) nursing service; (3) nursing research; and, (4) 
26 
nursing leadership and governance. 
27 
28 
Sec, 29. Nursing Care, -
includes, but is not limited to: the provIsion of 
29 
physiological, psychological, spiritual, social and emotional care; essential health 
30 
care, safety and comfort measures, health teachings; executing health care 
31 
techniques and procedures; and, traditional and innovative approaches to individuals, 
32 
families, population groups and communities from conception to death. 
33 
A nurse shall be deemed to be practicing nursing when he or she, for a fee, salary or 
34 
compensation, singly or collaboratively, performs nursing care to individuals, families, 
35 
population groups, and communities. 
36 
37 
Sec. 30. Roles, Responsibilities, and Competencies of a Nurse. - A nurse shall 
38 
possess and exercise the core competencies in the performance of the roles and 
39 
responsibilities, in accordance with the standards set by the Board. 
40 
41 
Sec. 31. Continuing Professional Development (CPO). -
All nurses shall 
42 
undertake CPO programs. The Board shall provide a mechanism to continuously 
43 
improve and enhance the nurses' competence by updating them on the latest 
44 
scientific, technological, ethical and other applicable trends in the local and global 
45 
practice of nursing. CPO programs shall be offered by authorized providers 
46 
accredited by the Board. 
47 
48 
Sec. 32. Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. - Nurses are 
9 


1 
deemed to be inactive when: 
2 
(a) They are not utilizing nursing competencies as defined in the scope of nursing 
3 
practice for five (5) consecutive years; 
4 
(b) They have not renewed their professional identification card for five (5) years; 
5 
and 
6 
(c) They do not have proof of five (5) years of continuous nursing practice 
7 
8 
Inactive nurses are required to undergo one (1) month didactic training and three (3) 
9 
months practicum in hospitals accredited by the Board 
10 
11 
ARTICLE V 
12 
Nursing Education 
13 
14 
Sec. 33. Nursing Education. - Refers to the formal leaming and training in the 
15 
science and art of nursing provided by higher educational institutions duly recognized 
16 
by the CHED. 
17 
18 
There shall be a standard of Basic and Graduate Program for Nursing Education 
19 
which must be pursuant to the CHED Law (RA 7722). 
20 
21 
Sec. 34. Basic Program for Nursing Education. - Refers to the nursing education 
22 
program which envisions providing sound liberal and professional education and 
23 
equips basic nursing students with the necessary competencies for entry - level safe 
24 
and quality nursing practice. 
25 
26 
Admission to the Basic Program for Nursing Education requires passing a National 
27 
Nursing Admission Test (NNAT). 
28 
29 
The curriculum and the Related Leaming Experiences (RLE) must be in accordance 
30 
with the National Nursing Core Competency Standards promulgated by the Board 
31 
and implemented through the Policies, Standards, and Guidelines of the CHED. 
32 
33 
Sec. 35. Graduate Program for Nursing Education. -
Refers to the post 
34 
baccalaureate nursing program, which builds on the experiences and skills of a nurse 
35 
towards mastery, expertise, and leadership in practice, research, and education. It 
36 
includes a master's degree and doctorate degree in nursing founded on the 
37 
philosophies, and the scientific body of knowledge and practice. 
38 
39 
Graduate Program for Nursing Education shall be offered only in higher educational 
40 
institutions as prescribed by the prevailing CHED Policies, Standards and Guidelines 
41 
(PSG) for Graduate Education. 
42 
43 
Section 36. Qualifications of the Dean. - The Dean of the College of Nursing 
44 
(Dean) shall formulate policies, plans in collaboration with the administrationl school 
45 
officials and stakeholders. The Dean must adhere to the prescribed curriculum for the 
46 
advancement of nursing education. 
47 
10 


1 
The Dean: 
2 
3 
(a) Must be a holder of a certificate of registration and a current professional 
4 
identification card issued by the Commission; 
5 
(b) Must have the appropriate certificate of nursing proficiency, or its equivalent, 
6 
to be issued by the BON; 
7 
(c) Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, conferred by a university 
8 
duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines; 
9 
(d) Must have at least five (5) years of experience in teaching and supervision in 
10 
Nursing Education; and 
11 
(e) Must have at least three (3) years clinical experience in a general nursing 
12 
service. 
13 
Sec. 37. Qualifications of the Faculty. -
14 
(1) Basic Program for Nursing Education. - A member of the faculty in a College of 
15 
Nursing teaching professional courses: 
16 
(a) Must be a registered nurse in the Philippines and holder of a certificate of 
17 
registration and a current professional identification card issued by the 
18 
Commission; 
19 
(b) Must have at least three (3) years of nursing practice; 
20 
(c) Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, conferred by a 
21 
university duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the 
22 
Philippines; and 
23 
(d) Must have the appropriate certificate of nursing proficiency, or its 
24 
equivalent, to be issued by the BON. 
25 
(2) Graduate Program for Nursing Education. - A member of the faculty teaching 
26 
graduate professional courses: 
27 
(a) Must follow prescriptions 1 and 2 of basic nursing education; and 
28 
(b) Must be a holder of a doctoral degree in nursing conferred by a university 
29 
duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. 
30 
Sec. 38. Faculty - Student Ratio. - There must be a faculty to student ratio to be 
31 
determined by the CHED. 
32 
33 
ARTICLE VI 
34 
NurSing Service 
35 
36 
Sec. 39. Nursing Service. - Is the promotion of health and prevention of illness 
37 
which includes, but not limited to, nursing care provided by a nurse, either 
38 
independently or collaboratively, to any individual, family or group in various health 
11 


1 
care settings. 
2 
3 
Nursing Service shall include the following functions: (1) Provide health education to 
4 
individuals, families and communities; (2) Ensure that information on healthy lifestyle 
5 
are incorporated in his or her health teachings; (3) Seek opportunities to promote a 
6 
healthy lifestyle within his or her influence; (4) Accept that he or she IS a role model 
I 
for a healthy lifestyle; (5) Enable people to increase control over their health and to 
8 
improve health; (6) Build healthy public policy; (7) Create supportive environment; (8) 
9 
Strengthen community action for health; and, (9) Establish linkages with community 
10 
resources and coordination of services with the health team. 
11 
12 
Sec. 40. Nursing Interventions. -
In accordance with Sec. 27 and 29, nursing 
13 
interventions include, but is not limited to: any or combination of essential primary 
14 
health care, the application of traditional and innovative approaches, health 
15 
counseling, and administration of written prescription for treatment, therapies, oral, 
16 
topical, and parenteral medications, perform peripartal care covering pre-intra-
17 
postpartum care including the performance of internal examination during labor in the 
18 
absence of antenatal bleeding, attend to normal delivery and suturing of perineal 
19 
laceration and immediate care of the newborn; perform perioperative care covering 
20 
pre-intra-post surgical care interventions; care during emergency and disaster. 
21 
22 
Sec. 41. Health Interventions in Collaboration with Other Members of the Health 
23 
Team, - From promotion of health to end-of-life care, Nurses collaborates with other 
24 
members of the health team. 
25 
26 
Sec, 42. Advanced Practice Nursing. - Is a specialized and expanded nursing care 
27 
pursuant to Sec. 45 hereof. Advanced Practice Nursing is specialty training, through 
28 
an Advanced Practice Nursing Program formulated by the concerned agencies with 
29 
certification to be issued by the Board after passing the qualifying examination. An 
30 
RN who seeks to be an APN must have a master's degree in Nursing. 
31 
32 
ARTICLE VII 
33 
Nursing Research, PoliCy Development, and Planning 
34 
35 
Sec. 43. Nursing Research and Policy Development. - Shall involve study and 
36 
pursuit of nurse related issues encompassing the following areas: 
37 
(a) Professional nursing practice such as advancing nursing knowledge to ensure 
38 
quality nursing care for all and advocacy for sound health pOlicies globally. 
39 
(b) Nursing 
regulation 
on 
credentialing, 
code 
of ethics, 
standards 
and 
40 
competencies. 
41 
(c) Socio-economic welfare for nurses like occupational health and safety, human 
42 
resources planning and policy, remuneration, career development 
43 
44 
Sec. 44. Studies for Nursing Human Resource Needs, Production, Utilization 
45 
and Development. - The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional 
46 
organization and appropriate government or private agencies shall initiate, undertake 
47 
and conduct studies on healthcare human resources production, utilization and 
12 


1 
development. 
2 
Sec. 45. Advanced Practice Nursing Program. - Within ninety (90) days from the 
3 
effectivity of this Act, the Board in coordination with the accredited professional 
4 
organization, recognized specialty organizations, and the Department of Health is 
5 
hereby mandated to formulate and develop a Advanced Practice Nursing Program 
6 
that would upgrade the level of skill and competence of specialty nurse clinicians in 
7 
the country, such as, but not limited to, the areas of critical care, oncology, renal and 
8 
such other areas as may be determined by the Board: Provided, that the 
9 
beneficiaries of this program are obliged to serve in any Philippine hospital for a 
10 
period of at least two (2) years continuous service, 
11 
12 
Sec. 46. Funding for the Advanced Practice Nursing Program. - The annual 
13 
financial requirement needed to train at least ten percent (10%) of the nursing staff of 
14 
the participating government hospital shall be chargeable against the income of the 
15 
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and 
16 
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which shall equally share in the costs and shall be 
17 
released to the Department of Health subject to accounting and auditing procedures. 
18 
Provided, That the Department of Health shall set the criteria for the availment of this 
19 
program. 
20 
21 
Sec. 47. Salary. - The minimum base pay of nurses working in the govemmental 
22 
health institutions, upon entry, shall not be lower than salary grade (SG) "15". This is 
23 
to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service, and professionalism of 
24 
nurses. In non - governmental and/or private health institutions, the minimum base 
25 
pay for the nurses upon entry shall be equivalent to that of SG "15" in the public 
26 
hospital. 
27 
28 
Sec. 48. Incentives and Benefits. - The Board, in coordination with the DOH, other 
29 
concerned government and non-government institutions, association of hospitals and 
30 
the APO, shall establish an incentive and benefit system in the form of free hospital 
31 
care for nurses and their dependents, scholarship grants and other non-cash 
32 
benefits. 
33 
34 
ARTICLE VIII 
35 
Nursing Leadership and Governance 
36 
37 
Sec. 49. Nursing Leadership. - NurSing is a dynamic field that requires leaders who 
38 
will go through the changing aspects of the health sector as they are part of the 
39 
workforce that will toil and labor for the improvement of the health of the citizenry. 
40 
Nurses adapt specific roles in organizational structure, from being the policy makers 
41 
in health facilities and giving guidance to senior management on best practices in 
42 
nursing and patient care. They work with healthcare leaders to establish 
43 
compensation and benefit programs and are involved in nurse recruitment, training 
44 
and retention. Thus, nurses in the management positions shall develop patient-care 
45 
programs, manage nursing budgets, plan new patient services, establish nursing 
46 
policies and procedures, participate in cross-departmental decision making, conduct 
47 
performance improvement activities and represents the scope of nursing practices at 
48 
Board of director meetings and other stakeholder. 
49 
50 
Sec. 50. Nursing Governance. - Governance in nursing practice is shifting from the 
13 


1 
traditional view that nurses are subordinate and passive employees towards having 
2 
more proactive involvement of taking charge of the organization to be the antecedent 
3 
in decision making and implementation of plans and policies for the patients and 
4 
communities, Governance in the practice of nursing shall empower each nurse in 
5 
decision-making over their professional practice while extending their power and 
6 
control over the administrative aspect of their practice, 
7 
ARTICLE IX 
8 
Nursing Personnel System 
9 
10 
Sec. 51. Nursing Personnel System. - The nursing personnel system covers the 
11 
following fields: nursing service administration in the hospital setting, community 
12 
health practice, and the academe, 
13 
There shall be a nursing service office in every health institution, may it be 
14 
administrative or clinical, with at least ten nurses, The nursing service office must be 
15 
under the control and management of a chief nursing officer, 
16 
17 
Sec. 52. Ratio. - The ratio of a staff nurse to a patient in a general nursing service or 
18 
general ward of a hospital shall be set at least 1: 12, in order to effectuate the quality 
19 
nursing care for patients, There shall be a nurse for every barangay and industrial 
20 
establishments: Provided, that the nurse shall supervise other health workers in the 
21 
work area, 
22 
23 
There shall be a nurse for every school, may it be private or public, primary, 
24 
secondary or tertiary, subject to the applicable ratio prescribed by the appropriate 
25 
government agency, 
26 
27 
Sec. 53. Beginning Registered Nurse. - Beginning registered nurse provides for 
28 
safe and quality care to an individual, family, or group that is independent or provided 
29 
as part of a team by a nurse is able to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care 
30 
provided to clients based on evidence derived from research, 
31 
32 
A beginning registered nurse must have the fOllowing minimum qualifications: 
33 
(1) Must be a Bachelor of SCience in Nursing graduate from a higher educational 
34 
institution recognized by the CHED; 
35 
(2) Must be a registered nurse with current certificate of registration and 
36 
professional identification card issued by the Commission; 
37 
(3) Must be phYSically, mentally and psychologically fit to practice nursing; and 
38 
(4) Must not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, 
39 
40 
Sec. 54. Nursing Service Management. -
Refers to the Management and 
41 
Administration of Nursing Services by Nurses equipped with the necessary 
42 
competencies on governance and leadership characterized to wit: 
43 
44 
(1) First Level Manager, is responsible directly for the physical set -up of the unit, 
14 


1 
structure and other human resources for health care provision, 
2 
(2) Middle level Manager, is responsible for the department or section handling more 
3 
than one (1) or two (2) units, takes care of the financial, logistic, operational 
4 
functions and others, 
, 5 
(3) Top Level Manager, oversees all nursing units in terms of financial and human 
6 
resources for health such as nurses and nursing assistants! adjuncts, 
7 
Nursing Service Managers must have the following minimum qualifications in addition 
8 
to the requirements of a Beginning Registered Nurse: 
9 
10 
(a) For first level managerial position in nursing, eighteen (18) units of nursing 
11 
management and clinical subjects in Master of Arts in Nursing or Master of 
12 
Science in Nursing, at least three (3) years of clinical work experience, and 
13 
participated in at least one (1) research project to improve quality of care; 
14 
(b) For middle level managerial position in nursing, completed all academic 
15 
requirements in Master of Arts in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing and at 
16 
least three (3) years of clinical work and two (2) years of management 
17 
experience, and initiated at least one (1) one (1) research project to improve 
18 
quality of care; 
19 
(c) For top level managerial position in nursing, a post-graduate degree in nursing or 
20 
health management - related sciences and at least three (3) years of clinical 
21 
work and three (3) years of management experience, and initiated at least two (2) 
22 
research projects to improve quality of care; and 
23 
(d) For al/ managerial positions -
Present the appropriate Certificate of Nursing 
24 
Proficiency, or its equivalent, from the Board in observance of the Nursing 
25 
Leadership and Governance Certification Program (Nurse Administrator I, Nurse 
26 
Administrator II, NurSing Administration Specialist), 
27 
The above qualifications shall apply to all nurses occupying supervisory or 
28 
managerial positions across all health facilities, 
29 
Sec. 55. Public Health Practice. -
Nursing service shall be organized and 
30 
operationalized in every local health agencies in order to ensure the nursing 
31 
component of public health programs, Thus, an ideal nurse in every barangay shall 
32 
be the thrust of public health in order to provide accessible, available, and affordable 
33 
quality health care to all, More so, a nurse in every school, may it be private or 
34 
public, shall be prioritized in every primary, secondary and tertiary educational 
35 
institutions in order to instill health awareness at an early stage and to improve the 
36 
health status of the students, 
37 
38 
Sec. 56. The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). - The nursing service and delivery of 
39 
healthcare in a public health practice or community set-up must be under the control 
40 
and management of the CNO, The CNO shall carry full administrative responsibility 
41 
and shall have the authority on planning, organizing, directing, and contrOlling of 
42 
public health nurses, A CNO must have a minimum of three (3) years practice in a 
43 
community setting as a Public Health Nurse, and must have at least five (5) years 
1S 


1 
experience in relevant nursing practice setting, In addition, the CNO in public health 
2 
agency must be a master's degree holder in relevant nursing practice setting, 
3 
conferred by an educational institution duly recognized by the Govemment of the 
4 
Philippines, 
5 
6 
The CNO is responsible for the formulation of poliCies, strategic and operational 
7 
planning, financial plan and resource allocation, policies and procedure development, 
8 
professional and organizational involvement to address epidemiologic problems and 
9 
provide statistical data, and shall exercise good governance and accountability of the 
10 
nursing personnel in a public health setting, The CNO shall also act as the advocate 
11 
for the rights and welfare of public health nurses, 
12 
13 
Sec. 57. Nurse Supervisor (NS). -
The NS shall be in charge of planning, 
14 
organizing, directing and contrOlling activities within a demographic unit. A NS must 
15 
have a minimum of three (3) years practice in a community setting as the Public 
16 
Health Nurse, and must be a master's degree holder in Public Health Nursing, 
17 
18 
Sec. 58. The Public Health Nurse (PHN). - The PHN shall perform the functions 
19 
and activities of health promotion, such as the prevention and treatment of various 
20 
diseases and illnesses in a particular public setting, The PHN shall exercise a 
21 
supervisory role to the midwives and barangay health workers within her catchment 
22 
area, The PH N shall initiate and participate in developing poliCies and guidelines to 
23 
promote basic nursing services, 
24 
25 
ARTICLE X 
26 
Prohibited Acts and Penal 
27 
28 
Sec. 59. Prohibited Acts. - Any of the following shall constitute unlawful and illegal 
29 
acts: 
30 
31 
(a) Any person who is practicing the nursing profession in the Philippines: 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
1, Without a certificate of registration, professional license, professional 
identification card, special permit or temporary permit or without 
having been declared exempt from examination in accordance with 
the provision of this Act; 
2, Who uses a certificate of registration, 
professional 
licanse, 
profeSSional identification card, special permit or temporary permit of 
another; 
3, Who uses an invalid certificate of registration, professional license, a 
suspended or revoked certificate of registration, professional license, 
or an expired or cancelled special or temporary permits; 
4, Who, by any means of misrepresentation, false evidence, or 
concealment, obtained a certificate of registration, professional 
license, professional identification card, special permit or temporary 
permit; 
16 


1 
5. Who falsely poses or advertises as a registered and licensed nurse or 
2 
uses any other means that tend to convey the impression that he/she 
3 
is a registered and licensed nurse; 
4 
6. Who appends "Nurse", "Nars", or "Nrs." before his or her name or 
5 
B.S.N.lR.N. (Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Registered Nurse) after 
6 
his or her name without having been conferred said degree or 
7 
registration; or 
8 
7. Who, as a registered and licensed nurse, abets or aSSists to the illegal 
9 
practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to practice nursing; 
10 
(b) Any natural or juridical person, educational institutions offering BSN without 
11 
full compliance with the requirements prescribed by law, conducts review 
12 
classes for both local and foreign examination without permit/clearance from 
13 
the Board and the Commission, or conducts Continuing Professional 
14 
Development for nurses without accreditation from the Board; Or any natural 
15 
or juridical person or health facility who undertakes or offers in-seNice training 
16 
programs, for a fee and without permit/clearance from the Board and the 
17 
Commission; 
18 
(c) Any natural or juridical person or health facility 
who subscribes to sub-
19 
standard quality of nursing care and/or nursing practice , such as non-
20 
compliance with the nurse-patient ratio; 
21 
(d) Any natural or juridical person, health facility who exercises and promotes 
22 
precarious working conditions to nurses, such as, but not limited to, the 
23 
following: 
24 
1. Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse either without salary, 
25 
for allowance, for salary below the applicable wage prescribed under 
26 
this Act, whether or not under the pretext of a training, development 
27 
program, certification course and lor seminar; 
28 
2. Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as 
29 
provided for by the existing laws; 
30 
3. Collecting any fees from a nurse or from any person or agent in his or 
31 
her behalf in exchange for a nurse's voluntary services in a health 
32 
facility; 
33 
4. Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform the regular work 
34 
functions and/or regular work load expected from a regular staff nurse 
35 
employed by the health facility without proper compensation, to render 
36 
full-time service as a condition for the continued availment of his/her 
37 
volunteer services, and/or to be the sole nurse on duty, except during 
38 
disasters, calamities, and war; 
39 
5. Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse, under the 
40 
pretext of OJT, contract of service, and/or job orders, in order to fill-up 
41 
a vacant position that requires the hiring of 
a full-time regular 
17 


1 
employed nurse, or for free in exchange for any type of certification to 
2 
be issued by the health facility for purposes of the nurse's employment 
3 
application; or 
4 
6, Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse, under the pretext of 
5 
training or certification course, but requires the nurse to render the 
6 
tasks and responsibilities expected of a regular staff or public health 
7 
nurse, in violation of Section 47 hereof; 
8 
(e) Any violation of the provisions of this Act. 
9 
Sec. 60. Sanctions. -
A fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos 
10 
(P100,OOO,OO) nor more than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,OOO,OO) or 
11 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years, or both, upon 
12 
the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon violation of any prohibited acts 
13 
enumerated in Section 59 (a) hereof, 
14 
15 
A fine of not less than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,OOO,OO) nor more than 
16 
five hundred thousand pesos (P500,OOO,OO) and/or imprisonment of not less than 
17 
one (1) year nor more than six (6) years shall be imposed upon violation of any 
18 
prohibited acts enumerated in Section 59 (b), (c), (d), and (e) hereof, In addition, 
19 
suspension or revocation of license to operate may be granted upon the discretion of 
20 
the court, 
21 
22 
Sec. 61. Refund and Compensation. - Any nurse found to have been a victim of 
23 
Section 59 (d) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees illegally collected and 
24 
payment of unpaid salary, which should not be less than the applicable wage for 
25 
services rendered, 
26 
ARTICLE XI 
27 
Miscellaneous 
28 
29 
Sec. 62. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Health is hereby designated 
30 
as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and implementation of the 
31 
provisions of this Act by public health facilities, The Department of Labor and 
32 
Employment is deSignated as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with 
33 
and implementations of the provisions of this Act by private health facilities, The 
34 
Commission and the Board is deSignated as the agency tasked with monitoring the 
35 
compliance with and implementations of the provisions of this Act by educational 
36 
institutions, CPD providers and health facilities, The CHED is similarly designated as 
37 
the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and implementations of the 
38 
provisions of this Act by educational institutions with regard to nursing education 
39 
programs and its curriculum, 
40 
41 
Sec. 63, Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
42 
Act shall be charged to the General Appropriations Act immediately upon effectivity 
43 
hereof, 
44 
45 
Sec. 64. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after the 
18 


1 
effectivity of this Act, the Commission, the Board, the APO, the Civil Service 
2 
Commission, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Health 
3 
and other concerned nursing organizations and government agencies, shall 
4 
formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry-out the 
5 
provisions of this Act The implementing rules and regulations shall be published in 
6 
the Official Gazette or in the newspaper of general Circulation. 
7 
8 
Sec. 65. Separability Clause. -
Should any provision of this Act be declared 
9 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
10 
operational. 
11 
12 
Sec. 66. Repealing Clause. -
Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the 
13 
"Philippine Nursing Act of 2002" is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, 
14 
Circulars, issuances, 
rules 
and 
regulations 
and 
parts 
thereof which 
are 
15 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
16 
17 
Sec. 67. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
18 
in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
19 
Philippines. 
20 
21 
Approved 
19