TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. No. 399
of t’.if
25 JUL 10 P4 :14
Pi;cLYx:
Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS A QUALITY 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Possessing a combination of both technical skills and compassionate care, 
Filipino nurses are among the most sought-after health professionals across the globe. 
Around a decade ago, the country produced an average of 63,800 new nurses per 
year.
In 2024, however, the Philippines produced only 37,098 new registered nurses. 
This almost 50% decline in the annual number of registered nurses should be a cause 
for concern, especially given that the country currently faces a shortage of 190,000 
healthcare workers - and, according to the International Council of Nurses, is projected 
to experience a shortage of 250,000 nurses by 2030.
The factors contributing to the continued shortage in our registered nurses may 
be summarized into three causes: low licensure examination passing rate, low 
professional practice rate, and limited domestic employment opportunities for nurses.


First, the 68 nursing schools throughout the country produce an average of 
80,000 graduates per year. Unfortunately, only around 30,000 to 40,000 of these 
graduates pass the licensure examination on their first try. Second, out of the 951,105 
registered nurses in 2023, PRC data shows that only 53.55% or 509,297 are active 
and actually practicing their profession. Finally, low compensation unfortunately 
forces our practicing nurses to go abroad where the nursing practice is better and 
compensated more.
With those factors in mind, this bill seeks to repeal the existing Philippine 
Nursing Act and overhaul the nursing profession by instituting measures to promote 
comprehensive and relevant nursing practice standards, ensure decent working 
conditions, and support the professional growth of nurses. It likewise introduces the 
Advanced Practice Nursing, which will give qualified nurses expanded and 
collaborative roles that will aid in the delivery of a comprehensive health care service 
to Filipinos.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
panf1lq^/lacson
Senator


SS’UUkK-
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No.
of fijf ig'i rrci.'ri'
25 JUL 10 P4 :14
received BV;
Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS A QUALITY 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the " The Philippine Nursing
2 
Practice Act of 2025"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In pursuit of the constitutional mandate on the
4 
right to health of every Filipino, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold
5 
the welfare of the healthcare workers, as an essential component in gearing towards
6 
Universal Health Care (UHC) through Primary Health Care. Nurses comprise the great
7 
majority of the healthcare workers, both in the institutional and community levels.
8 
Thus, the State recognizes nurses as prime movers of national development and
9 
contributors to international cooperation and understanding.
10 
It is likewise declared as the policy of the State, to uphold the dignity of and
11 
respect for nurses through the improvement of the practice of the nursing profession
12 
by instituting measures to promote comprehensive and relevant nursing practice
13 
standards; ensure decent working conditions; and support the professional growth
14 
of nurses.


1 
Further, the State hereby guarantees accessible, affordable, and available
2 
quality healthcare through an adequate and comprehensive Nursing Human Resource
3 
for Health Management System (NHRHMS) throughout the country.
4 
Sec. 3. Definition of terms.- As used in this Act:
5 
1. Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the national professional
6 
organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional Regulation
7 
Commission (PRC);
8 
2. Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) refers to a nurse who has acquired substantial
9 
level of theoretical knowledge and decision-making skill in a specialty area of
10 
nursing practice and demonstrated proficiency in clinical utilization of such
11 
knowledge and skill in providing expanded and collaborative expert care from
12 
a recognized HEI and who is Board and PRC -credentialed.
13 
3. Agreed Upon Based Care refers to a mutually agreed upon patient care made
14 
by an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and approved by the Primary Physician
15 
in charge, through teleconsult or other means of communication, after
16 
evaluation of the case referred. This shall be limited in the following
17 
circumstances:
18 
a. During an emergency and there is no physician in the area to physically
19 
see the patient; or
20 
b. Lack of an available physician due to inaccessibility of the area.
21 
4. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) refers to the baccalaureate program that
22 
provides sound and liberal education that equips graduates with competencies
23 
for registration as a professional and is the sole required academic standard for
24 
entry into nursing practice in the Philippines, in accordance with the appropriate
25 
qualification framework. The BSN program is effectively promulgated under the
26 
enabling Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSG) prescribed and issued by the
27 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
28 
5. Career Progression and Specialization Committee for Nursing (CPSCN) refers to
29 
the body deputized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to
30 
develop differentiating nursing- level standards, establish mechanisms and
31 
criteria for credentialing of specialty organizations and interest groups.


1 
certification of individuals at different levels of Post Baccalaureate nursing and
2 
advanced practice for recommendation to the Board of Nursing (BON);
3 
6. Career Progression and Specialization Program for Nurses (CPSPN) refers to the
4 
Program of differentiating nursing-level standards, the system of credentialing
5 
specialty organizations and interest groups, and certification of individuals at
6 
different levels of practice, recognized by the PRC and the Board of Nursing;
7 
7. Certification refers to the process of validating achievements through a variety
8 
of measures and assessment strategies to confirm or attest to the competency
9 
of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) upon completion of a specialty program
10 
or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, or both. The
11 
certification is issued by the Board and the PRC upon endorsement of the
12 
specified recognized and credentialed specialty organization in accordance with
13 
the PSG;
14 
8. Credentialing refers to the formal recognition of a specialty organization or
15 
interest group conferred by the PRC and the Board upon the recommendation
16 
of the CPSPN after complying with the PSG;
17 
9. Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) refers to the highest nursing administrative and
18 
clinical official in healthcare facilities. The CNO is responsible for leading and
19 
coordinating an organization's nursing services and its daily operation. The CNO
20 
is the primary spokesperson for nurses in the facility and must be a registered
21 
nurse;
22 
10. Clinical Practice refers to any professional practice rendered in any healthcare
23 
setting like institutional, public health, and any healthcare industry;
24 
11. Decent Work refers to aspirations by people in their working lives. It involves
25 
opportunities for work that is productive, delivers a fair income, security in the
26 
workplace, social protection for family; opportunities for personal development,
27 
psychological well-being, social integration, freedom to express their concerns,
28 
organize and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and equal treatment
29 
regardless of ethnicity, gender, position, or religion.
30 
12. Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) refer to barangays
31 
specifically deprived due to the presence of both physical and socioeconomic
32 
factors;


1 
13. Health Facility refers to a public or private institution, establishment or clinic
2 
devoted primarily to the provision of services: including the following: nursing,
3 
health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and
4 
palliation of individuals suffering from illness, disease, injury or disability, or
5 
deformity, orin need of obstetrical, psychiatric or other medical and nursing
6 
care. This cover hospitals, barangay health centers, and other clinics;
7 
14. Individual-based Health Services refer to services which can be accessed
8 
remotely or within a health facility which focus primarily on treating individuals;
9 
15. Nationai Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) refers to the highest-ranking nursing
10 
official of the Department of Health (DOH) whose main function is to influence
11 
through expert advice, safe nursing and quality standards, and implement
12 
nursing policies for both the public and private sectors;
13 
Nurse is a title conferred on an individual who has met the legal, educational
14 
and administrative requirements to practice nursing; and is duly registered and
15 
licensed to practice the nursing profession, with all the rights and privileges
16 
appurtenant thereto;
17 
17. Nursing care refers to the physiological, psychological, spiritual and emotional,
18 
social and cultural care, and essential health care, safety and comfort
19 
measures, and health teachings; execution of health care techniques and
20 
procedures , traditional and innovative approaches to individuals, families,
21 
population groups and communities from conception to death;
22 
18. Nursing Diagnosis is a statement of clinical judgment by a licensed nurse
23 
concerning a response to an actual or potential health problem of the individual,
24 
family, or community, (e.g. Fever: elevated body temperature of 37.8 Celsius
25 
or higher related to upper respiratory tract infection);
26 
19. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) refers to
27 
an organized human resource management and development information
28 
system based in the DOH and directed by the NCNO, that provides meaningful
29 
data used to support policies affecting nurses and nursing;
30 
20. Nursing practice refers to the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals
31 
of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings; it
32 
includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill.


1 
disabled and dying people. Additional key nursing roles include advocacy,
2 
promotion of a safe environment, participation in patient and health services
3 
management, shaping health policy, education, and research;
4 
2\. Nursing Service refers to an office, headed by a CNO within a public or private
5 
healthcare institution, responsible for administrative and clinical supervision of
6 
nurses and nursing personnel;
7 
22. Patient Acuity refers to the intensity of care provided to a patient by a registered
8 
nurse or the use of patient classification systems that can forecast patient care
9 
requirements for nursing care to manage nursing personnel;
10 
23. Philippine Professional Nursing Practice Standards (PPNPS) refers to the
11 
authoritative statements of the core competencies and duties that all registered
12 
nurses, regardless of role, designation, or specialty, are expected to perform.
13 
It also promotes, guides, and directs professional practice;
14 
24. Phiiippine Professional Nursing Roadmap (PPNR) refers to a program towards
15 
good governance of the nursing profession. It is a strategy in ensuring the
16 
culture of excellence and dynamic leadership for Philippine nursing;
17 
25. Positive Practice Environment refers to a practice setting that promotes
18 
economic welfare, professional autonomy, job satisfaction and retention of
19 
nurses by ensuring safe staffing, managerial support, professional
20 
development, occupational safety and psychological health and prevention of
21 
workplace violence to promote patient and nurse safety;
22 
26. Precarious work refers to working conditions which are contingent, atypical or
23 
non- standard. It is usually characterized by uncertainty of employment
24 
including diminution or change in position, employment status, multiple
25 
possible employers or a disguised or ambiguous employment relationship, lack
26 
of access to social protection benefits usually associated with employment, low
27 
pay and substantial legal and practical obstacles to joining a trade union and
28 
bargaining collectively;
29 
21. Primary Care refers to initial-contact, continuous, comprehensive and
30 
coordinated, and culturally appropriate care that is accessible at the time of
31 
need including a range of services for all presenting conditions, and the ability


1 
to coordinate referrals to other health care providers in the health care delivery
2 
system, when necessary every household, a nurse is responsible for their care;
3 
28. Return Service Agreement refers to an agreement whereby graduates of the
4 
nursing course who are recipients of government-funded scholarship programs
5 
are required to serve in priority areas in the public sector, subject to the
6 
conditions prescribed by R.A. No. 11223, otherwise known as "The Universal
7 
Health Care Act";
8 
29. Safe Harbor refers to protection for the nurse from employer retaliation if the
9 
nurse raises the issue to safety in terms of staffing or reassignment
10 
30. Special Temporary Permit (STP) refers to the authority to engage in limited
11 
nursing practice granted to foreign- registered or foreign- licensed nurses and
12 
Filipino nursing graduates under the conditions set forth in this Act.
13
14 
ARTICLE II
15 
BOARD OF NURSING
16 
SEC 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There shall be created, under
17 
the administrative supervision of the PRC, the Professional Regulatory Board of
18 
Nursing which shall be composed of seven (7) Members who shall be appointed by
19 
the President of the Philippines from among those recommended and ranked from a
20 
list of at least three (3) nominees per vacancy as provided by the APO,
21 
proportionately representing both the nursing service and the academe covering all
22 
the areas of expertise of the nursing licensure examination. The members of the
23 
Board may elect from among themselves a Chairperson to serve for one year subject
24 
to re-election as such on a year to year basis.
25 
Sec. 5. Mission of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing - The Board
26 
shall protect and promote the welfare of the people of the Philippines by ensuring
27 
that each person holding a license as a nurse in the Philippines is competent to
28 
practice safely. The Board shall fulfill its mission through the regulation of the practice
29 
of nursing and the approval of nursing education programs in collaboration with the
30 
CHED.
31 
The Board affirms that the regulation of the nursing profession is a public trust
32 
and accords it with the highest standards of ethics, accountability, efficiency.


1 
effectiveness, and transparency and shall approach its mission with a deep sense of
2 
purpose and responsibility.
3 
Sec. 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The
4 
Chairperson and Members of the Board must be natural born citizens of the
5 
Philippines and have resided therein for at least five (5) consecutive years
6 
immediately preceding the date of their respective appointments. Furthermore, at
7 
the time of their appointment, they must possess the following:
8 
1. A valid and current certificate of registration and updated professional
9 
identification card as nurse;
10 
2. A Master's Degree in nursing, and preferably, with relevant Doctorate Degree
11 
conferred by a duly recognized higher educational institution (HEI);
12 
3. With at least ten (10) continuous years of active nursing practice immediately
13 
prior to appointment; Provided, That, the last five (5) years of such practice
14 
must have been served in the Philippines;
15 
4. Good moral character as evidenced by not having been convicted of any offense
16 
involving moral turpitude; and
17 
5. Physical and mental fitness.
18 
Sec. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and regulate
19 
the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers, duties and
20 
functions:
21 
1. Ensure the proper conduct of the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination
22 
(PNLE), including the evaluation of examination applications, test development,
23 
administration of the examination, correction, and release of the results
24 
thereof. The use of appropriate technologies and modalities in the conduct of
25 
the PNLE is encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding integrity;
26 
2. Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice, study the
27 
conditions affecting nursing practice in the Philippines, and exercise the powers
28 
necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethic-moral technical and
29 
professional standards in the practice of nursing towards the optimal health
30 
and common good of the nation;
31 
3. Ensure quality nursing education by the strict evaluation of applications to open
32 
niir«;inn ediiratinn nrnnram«; and the reoular monitonnq of existinq Drograms,


1 
to guarantee that the standards of nursing education are properly complied
2 
with and maintained at all times;
3 
4. Promulgate a Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards that is responsive to the
4 
needs of the nursing profession, in coordination with the APO for nurses, within
5 
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act;
6 
5. Prescribe and operationalize Career Progression and Specialization Program for
7 
Nursing (CPSPN) to ensure the continuing professional development of nurses
8 
including recognition and credentialing of organized nursing groups and
9 
certification of advanced practice nurses;
10 
6. Work in partnership with the appropriate agencies to identify and utilize
11 
resources earmarked for national nursing development;
12 
7. Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and
13 
to submit recommendations to authorities and agencies, to aid in policy
14 
formation and decision- making as may be necessary for the improvement of
15 
the nursing practice, advancement of the profession, and the proper
16 
enforcement of this Act, subject to the review and approval of the PRC;
17 
8. Oversee the implementation of the Philippine Profession Nursing Roadmap;
18 
9= Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against nurses for
19 
unethical or unprofessional conduct or any violation of this Act, or its rules and
20 
regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum or
21 
subpoena duces tecum, or both, to require the appearance of respondents and
22 
witnesses or the production of documents, or both and to punish for contempt
23 
persons obstructing or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such
24 
proceedings, upon application with the regular courts;
25 
10. Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate certificate of registration and special
26 
temporary permits for the practice of nursing; and
27 
11. Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions.
28 
Sec. 8. Prohibition as Members of the Board. - The Members of the Board shall
29 
not, at the time of their appointments and during their incumbency, hold any position
30 
nor have pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any HEI offering BSN, or in any
31 
review or training center for the Professional Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE),


1 
[training hospital or health facility with nursing affiliates,] and is not an officer of the
2 
APO.
3 
Sec. 9. Term of Office. - The Members of the Board shall hold office for a term
4 
of three (3) years. Any Member of the Board may serve for a maximum of two (2)
5 
terms or a total of six (6) years.
6 
Sec. 10. Compensation. - The Members of the Board shall receive compensation
7 
and allowances comparable to those received by the Members of other regulatory
8 
boards under the PRC.
9 
Sec. 11. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. - The President may
10 
remove or suspend any member of the Board, after notice and hearing, upon
11 
recommendation of the PRC on any of the following grounds:
12 
1. Continued neglect of duty or incompetence;
13 
2. Commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of the PNLE;
14 
3. Unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable conduct; or
15 
4. Non-disclosure of conflict of interest.
16 
Sec. 12. Vacancy. - Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled in the manner
17 
prescribed in this Act and only for the unexpired portion of the term. Each member
18 
of the Board shall take the proper oath of office prior to the performance of their
19 
duties.
20 
Sec. 13. Limited Practice of the Profession. - During their incumbency, the
21 
Members of the Board may be allowed to practice their profession or maintain
22 
employment or affiliation in the public or private sector provided that there is no
23 
conflict of interest and subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed by law.
24 
Sec. 14. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records,
25 
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative
26 
supervision of the PRC. All records of the Board, including applications for
27 
examinations, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board
28 
must be under the custody of the PRC. The PRC shall designate the Secretary of the
29 
Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the
30 
provisions of this Act.
31 
Sec. 15. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of every calendar year, 
•32 subm.it an annual report to the President and Congress of the Philippines, through


1 
the PRC, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and the accomplishments during
2 
the year and making recommendations for the adoption of measures that will
3 
upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of the nursing profession.
4
5 
ARTICLE III
6 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
7 
Sec. 16. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE) and Registration Fees.
8 
- In order to obtain the certificates of registrations and professional identification
9 
cards, all nursing graduates must take and pass the PNLE. The Board shall administer
10 
the PNLE in such places and dates as may be designated by the PRC.
11 
Applicants for the PNLE and registration must pay the prescribed fees set by
12 
the PRC.
13 
Sec. 17. Scope of Examination. - The Board shall determine the scope of the
14 
PNLE, taking into consideration the nursing core competencies, the nursing
15 
curriculum, the scope and areas of nursing practice, and other related disciplines.
16 
Sec. 18. Qualifications for Admission to the PNLE. - At the time of the filing of
17 
application for the PNLE, an applicant must be:
18 
1. A holder of a BSN degree from an HEI that is compliant with the standards of
19 
nursing education recognized by the government;
20 
2. Of good moral character and has not been convicted by final judgment of any
21 
criminal offense involving moral turpitude or found guilty of Immoral or
22 
dishonorable conduct or judicially declared to be of unsound mind; and
23 
3. A citizen of the Philippines, or of a foreign country or State which permits
24 
Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the
25 
subject or citizen of such country or State: Provided,. That the requirements for
26 
the registration or licensing of nurses in said country or State are substantially
27 
the same as those prescribed in this Act.
28 
Sec. 19. Professional Nurse Licensure Examination Ratings. - To be considered
29 
as having passed the PNLE, an examinee must [pass] obtain at least seventy-five
30 
percent (75%) of the tested areas of all the nursing competencies. An examinee who
31 
has failed the PNLE three times (3x) shall not be allowed to take any further PNLE,
10


1 
without having undertaken a refresher program in a duly accredited institution. The
2 
Board shall issue the guidelines on the refresher program requirement.
3 
Sec. 20. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
4 
Card. - The certificate of registration and professional identification card shall be
5 
issued to all successful examinees, upon compliance with all the requirements for
6 
registration. The certificate of registration shall show the full name of the registrant,
7 
certificate of registration number, and date of initial registration. The same must be
8 
duly signed by the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the Chairperson of the
9 
PRC, with their corresponding seals.
10 
The professional identification card shall bear the full name of the registrant,
11 
the certificate of registration number, date of initial registration, and date of the
12 
expiration, and which must be duly signed by the Chairperson of the PRC. The
13 
professional identification card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfying
14 
the requirements set by the PRC, including the payment of the required fees.
15 
Sec. 21. Oath of Profession. - All successful examinees must take the Oath of
16 
Profession before any member of the Board or government official authorized to
17 
administer oaths prior to practicing their profession.
18 
Sec. 22. Registry of Nurses. - The PRC shall maintain a roster of nurses which
19 
shall serve as the centralized database of nurses for purposes of documentation,
20 
verification of registrants, statistics, research and development.
21 
Sec. 23. Accredited Professional Organization (APO). - All nurses whose names
22 
appear in the Registry of Nurses of the PRC become members preferably of the APO
23 
for nurses, and shall receive all the benefits and privileges therefrom upon payment
24 
of membership fees and duties. Membership in other organizations of nurses shall
25 
not be barred.
26 
Sec. 24. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign nurse shall be given a certificate of
27 
registration and professional identification card or be entitled to any of the privileges
28 
under this Act unless the country or State of which such foreign nurse is a subject or
29 
citizen permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis
30 
as the subjects or citizens of said country or State.
11


1 
Sec. 25. Limited Practice Through Speciai Temporary Permit - The Board may
2 
Issue special temporary permits to the following persons based on qualifications, and
3 
professional and moral standards as approved by the Board and the PRC:
4 
1. Registered or Licensed Nurses of foreign citizenship: (i) whose services are
5 
either for a fee or free if they are internationally well known specialists or
6 
outstanding experts in any branch or specialty in nursing; (ii) who are on
7 
medical mission whose services shall be free in a particular hospital, center or
8 
clinic; (iii) who are engaged by HEIs offering the BSN and graduate programs
9 
as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; or (iv) who come
10 
to provide aid during declared disasters and calamities.
11 
2. Nursing graduates with Philippine citizenship who may render nursing service
12 
during epidemics or national emergencies under the supervision of a registered
13 
and licensed nurse: Provided, That, they have graduated within the last five (5)
14 
years prior to the occurrence of the epidemic or national emergency in which
15 
they shall serve.
16 
3. The special temporary permit issued to registered and licensed nurses of
17 
foreign citizenship shall be effective only for the duration of the project, health
18 
mission, engagement, but which in no case shall exceed one (1) year, subject
19 
to renewal. The special temporary permit issued to nursing graduates with
20 
Philippine citizenship shall automatically cease upon the lifting or termination
21 
of the epidemic or national emergency. A completion report shall be submitted
22 
to the Board and the PRC after the conduct of such project, medical mission,
23 
engagement or contract. In the case of nurses of Philippine citizenship who
24 
rendered services during an epidemic or national emergency, the completion
25 
report shall be submitted by the registered nurse authorized to supervise them.
26 
The Board shall issue the corresponding guidelines in the issuance of the special
27 
temporary permit pursuant to this Section.
28 
Sec. 26. Non-Registration and Non-issuance of Certificate of Registration,
29 
Professionai Identification Card, Speciai Temporary Permit - Any person who has
30 
been convicted by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or
31 
found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or judicially declared to be of
12


1 
unsound mind shall not be registered and issued a certificate of registration,
2 
professional identification card, or a special temporary permit.
3 
The Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth the
4 
reasons for such actions, which shall be incorporated in the records of the Board.
5 
Sec. 27. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration, Professional
6 
Identification Card and Canceiiation of Special Temporary Permit - The Board shall
7 
have the power to reprimand a nurse or revoke or suspend the certificate of
8 
registration, professional identification card, or special temporary permit, after due
9 
notice and hearing, on any of the following grounds:
10 
1. Conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude
11 
or of immoral or dishonorable conduct or having been judicially declared to be
12 
of unsound mind;
13 
2. Violation of this Act, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for nurses, and
14 
other policies, rules and regulations of the Board and the PRC;
15 
3. Negligence, misconduct, or incompetence in the practice of nursing resulting to
16 
injury, harm, disability or death;
17 
4. Commission of fraud, non-disclosure of disqualification, or misrepresentation in
18 
obtaining a certificate of registration, professional identification card, or special
19 
temporary permit;
20 
5. Practicing the nursing profession during the period of suspension of license;
21 
6. Breach of ethical practice in research in accordance with prevailing national and
22 
international guidelines; or
23 
7. Other grounds analogous to the foregoing.
24 
Provided, That, if the penalty imposed is suspension or revocation of the license,
25 
the respondent shall be required to surrender their certificate of registration and
26 
professional identification card.
27 
Sec. 28. Reinstatement and Re-issuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration
28 
and Professional Identification Card. - The Board may, upon proper application
29 
therefor and payment of the required fees, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate
30 
of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period for revocation, for
31 
reasons of equity and justice, and when the cause for revocation has disappeared or
32 
has been cured or corrected.
13


1 
ARTICLE IV
2 
NURSING PRACTICE
3 
Sec. 29. Scope of Nursing Practice. - Nursing practice includes a range of roles,
4 
functions, responsibilities, and activities on which a registered nurse is educated,
5 
competent, and has authority to perform which includes nursing service, education,
6 
research, leadership, and governance as defined in this Act.
7 
A person shall be deemed practicing the nursing profession when singly or in
8 
collaboration with other professionals, with or without fee or compensation, the person
9 
assumes any or all of the four (4) roles: (1) provider of direct patient care; (2)
10 
educator; (3) researcher and (4) manager and leader. The nurse's clients shall include
11 
individuals, families, population groups, and communities, with varying age groups,
12 
gender, health-illness status, in any health care, industrial or community setting.
13 
Additionally, nurses shall utilize the full extent of their education, training and
14 
experience and shall perform work that requires the highest skill set.
15 
Nurses are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and prevention of
16 
illness.
17 
Nurses shall collaborate with other health care providers for the promotive,
18 
preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care, restoration of health,
19 
alleviation of suffering and, when recovery is not possible, in the provision of palliative
20 
and end of life care. In performing collaborative functions, it shall be the duty of the
21 
nurse to:
22 
1. Provide nursing care through the conscientious observance of the nursing
23 
process and established agreed upon based care;
24 
2. Provide advanced nursing care based on the Career Progression Specialization
25 
Program for Nursing (CPSPN) and the Philippine Qualifications Framework
26 
(PQF), a quality assured national system for the development, recognition and
27 
award of qualifications at defined levels based on standards of knowledge, skills
28 
and values acquired in different ways and methods by professionals, learners
29 
and workers. The PQF is competency based, labor-market driven and an
30 
assessment based qualification recognition;
31 
3. Establish linkages with community resources and coordination with the
32 
healthcare workers in any health care, industrial or comm.unity setting;
14


1 
4. Provide health education and health counselling to empower individuals,
2 
families, population groups and communities towards the promotion of health,
3 
prevention of illness, and caring towards a peaceful death;
4 
5. Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education programs, including
5 
the administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals, clinics
6 
and other health, industrial or community settings where practice of the nursing
7 
profession exists;
8 
6. Provide duly compensated professional nursing services, such as consultation
9 
services and private nursing practice;
10 
7. Supervise nursing and ancillary nursing personnel in the delivery of safe and
11 
quality healthcare services in varied settings;
12 
8. Maintain competence by adhering to the CPSP standards and the PPNPS as well
13 
as engage in lifelong learning within the context of the CPSP;
14 
9. Observe, at all times, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for nurses
15 
promulgated by the Board, uphold the standards of safe and quality nursing
16 
practice, and demonstrate cultural, gender sensitivity and social responsibility;
17 
10. Undertake nursing and health human resource development training and
18 
research for evidenced based and continual quality improvement, a quality
19 
assured national system for the development, recognition and award of
20 
qualifications at defined levels based on standards of knowledge, skills and
21 
values acquired in different ways and methods by professionals, learners and
22 
workers. The PQFis competency-based, labor- market driven and an
23 
assessment- based qualification recognition; practice; and
24 
11. Exercise the core competencies in the performance of their respective roles and
25 
responsibilities, in accordance with the PPNPS.
26 
Sec. 30. Qualifications of a Registered Nurse. - A nurse shall have a broad and
27 
coherent set of knowledge and skills in the field of nursing to provide safe and quality
28 
care to an individual, family, and beyond-population group or community,
29 
independently or as part of a team of healthcare providers. A nurse must be able to
30 
assess, make a nursing diagnosis, create a nursing plan, implement, and evaluate the
31 
nursing care provided to clients based on the set of knowledge and skills derived from
32 
nursing practice and research. They may practice General Practice Nursing or Specialty
15


1 
Practice Nursing, which demands higher cognitive, behavioral and performance skills
2 
in all complex nursing areas such as high dependency unit, critical care unit, disaster
3 
areas, special procedure or interventional area, provided, they have acquired the
4 
relevant competencies.
5 
SEC 31. General Practice Nursing (GPN). - A licensed nurse may go into general
6 
practice taking on a role involving the provision and advocacy of a safe and holistic
7 
quality care to individuals, families, population groups, or communities, which
8 
include the assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation
9 
of evidence-based care to the clients in the context of nursing practice. A General
10 
Practice Nurse must have the following minimum qualifications:
11 
1. A BSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the government;
12 
2. A valid certificate of registration and current professional identification card as
13 
a nurse issued by the PRC;
14 
3. Physically, mentally and psychologically fit to practice nursing; and
15 
4. Not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
16 
Sec. 32. Specialty Practice Nursing (SPN). - Involves a specialized area for
17 
which the nurse needs to obtain specialty recognition after having undergone
18 
specialty training by the BON - credentialed nursing specialty organization as
19 
approved by the Commission. Nurses who practice within this field are referred to as
20 
"Nurse Specialists". A Nurse Specialist must have the following minimum
21 
qualifications:
22 
1. A BSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the government;
23 
2. A valid certificate of registration and current professional identification card as
24 
a nurse issued by the Commission;
25 
3. With at least three (3) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing
26 
specialty;
27 
4. Received a specialty training in the area of specialty practice in nursing;
28 
5. Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
29 
6. Not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and
30
7. A member of the appropriate Board - accredited nursing specialty organization.
16


1 
Sec. 33. Advanced Practice Nursing. - A scope of nursing practice where the
2 
nurses have acquired the expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills and
3 
clinical competencies for an "agreed upon based" care, particularly in areas where
4 
physicians are not available.
5 
An Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) provides direct complex specialty care, team
6 
consultation and agreed upon expert care, referrals to and from other members of
7 
the healthcare team in complex cases, within the scope of nursing practice. An APN
8 
works in collaboration with a licensed primary care physician limited to the functions
9 
set forth by this Act.
10 
An APN must have the following minimum qualifications:
11 
1. A graduate of Master of Science in Nursing (Advanced Practice Nursing) from a
12 
government recognized HEI;
13 
2. With at least five (5) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing specialty.
14 
3. A graduate of an HEI with a specified post-graduate curriculum with
15 
a. minimum advanced practice core courses;
16 
b. minimum competencies in Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and
17 
Risk Reduction;
18 
c. supervised clinical practicum rotation with an experienced APN or
19 
physician in accordance with approved CHED curriculum for APN
20 
practicum;
21 
4. 500 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduation from MSN to satisfy
22 
the requirements for APN certification;
23 
5. Pass the certification examination by the BON-designated certified nursing
24 
specialty group;
25 
6= Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
26 
7. Maintain the certification, renewable every five (5) years;
27 
8. A member of an appropriate accredited Board Specialty organization.
28 
Sec. 34. Authority of an Advanced Practice Nurse. - The APN's expanded roles
29 
include advocacy, leadership and management, research and inter-professional
30 
education, commonly based in primary health care. An APN ensures safe, holistic, and
31 
quality care to individuals, families, including population groups or communities
32 
towards achieving quality, accessible, and affordable health care for all Filipinos. It
17


1 
also refers to a navigator, coordinator, and initial and continuing point of contact of
2 
the patient to ensure continuity during transitions of care.
3 
The APN shall perform the following functions;
4 
1. Assess the patient based on the standard operating procedures set forth by the
5 
nursing profession;
6 
2. Make a sound nursing diagnosis based on the assessment made by him or her;
7 
3. Refer the nursing diagnosis to a licensed primary care physician, the APN may
8 
suggest his or her plan of care for the patient subject to the physician's final
9 
approval;
10 
4. Administer the medications and treatments prescribed by the physician and do
11 
post- monitoring for effects;
12 
5. Perform basic wound care, foot care, prenatal and postnatal care as well as
13 
newborn care;
14 
6. Monitoring and care of Hypertensive, Diabetic, Stroke, and other Chronically- ill
15 
patients;
16 
7. Serve as a Mentor and Educator providing health teachings;
17 
8. Conduct Research;
18 
9. Serve as an Administrator.
19 
The APN shall be accredited by PhilHealth or other relevant government health
20 
care agency to receive payments for services rendered.
21 
Sec. 35. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - All nurses shall abide by
22 
the requirements, rules and regulations on the CPD promulgated by the PRC, in
23 
coordination with the APO for nurses, and the duly authorized representative of the
24 
organization of deans of HEIs offering the BSN program. For this purpose, a CPD
25 
Council is created to accredit CPD providers and programs for nurses.
26 
Sec. 36. Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. - Inactive
27 
nurses intending to return to practice must undergo a refresher course as prescribed
28 
by the Board. Nurses are considered to be inactive under any of the following
29 
circumstances:
30 
1. They have not practiced nursing as defined in the scope of nursing practice for
31 
at Least five (5) consecutive years;
18


1 
2. They have not renewed their professional identification card for five (5) years;
2 
or
3 
3. They do not have proof of five (5) years of continuous nursing practice;
4 
Sec. 37. Salary and Compensation. - Nurses shall, at all times, receive
5 
compensation that is just and due them and commensurate to the level of education,
6 
and proportionate to training, experience, and complexity of nursing skill required for
7 
the services rendered.
8 
Nurses providing nursing services in both government and private sectors, and
9 
who are integral to the functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions, must be
10 
classified as regular staff after a reasonable probationary period, as mandated by
11 
law.
12 
The minimum base pay, upon entry, of all nurses working in government and
13 
private health, industrial and community settings, must not be lower than Salary
14 
Grade 15 (SG 15), as implemented in government service.
15 
The pay for nurses working in Nursing Education, both in government and
16 
non-government schools and universities, shall be in accordance with academic
17 
rank.
18 
Non-government or private health facilities, or both, institutions and industrial
19 
establishments shall comply with the requirement on the salary rate in tranches within
20 
three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act subject to existing labor laws.
21 
Sec. 38. Incentives and Benefits. - The Board, in coordination with the DOH
22 
and other concerned government and non-government institutions, association of
23 
hospitals and the APO for nurses, shall establish an incentive and benefit system in
24 
the form of free hospital care, scholarship grants and other non-cash benefits for
25 
nurses and their dependents subject to existing
26 
regulations.
27 
Sec. 39. Non-Diminution of Benefits and Incentives. - The implementation of
28 
Sections 37 and 38 of this Act shall not result in the diminution of existing grants of
29 
salaries, benefits and incentives for nurses.
30
31
ARTICLE V
NURSING EDUCATION
19


1 
Sec. 40. Basic Nursing Education. - Nursing education refers to the formal
2 
learning and training in the science and art of nursing provided by HEIs duly
3 
recognized by the CHED. There shall be a standard Baccalaureate and Graduate
4 
Program for Nursing Education pursuant to Republic Act No. 7722 otherwise known
5 
as the "Higher Education Act of 1994".
6 
SEC 41. Baccalaureate Program in Nursing. - The Baccalaureate Program in
7 
Nursing refers to the basic nursing education program which envisions a sound and
8 
liberal professional education that will adequately equip nursing students with the
9 
necessary compe tencies for entry level nursing practice. Admission to the
10 
Baccalaureate Program for Nursing Education requires [a] passing a National Nursing
11 
Admission Test (NNAT).
12 
The curriculum and the Related Learning Experiences (RLE) must be in
13 
accordance with the appropriate PSG of the CHED.
14 
Sec. 42. Graduate Programs for Nursing Education. - The Graduate Programs
15 
for nursing refer to the post baccalaureate nursing program which builds on the
16 
experiences and skills of a nurse towards mastery and expertise in nursing service
17 
(institutional and community), education, research , and leadership and governance.
18 
This includes the Master's Degree and Doctorate Degree in Nursing. Graduate
19 
Programs for Nursing Education shall be offered only through accredited programs of
20 
HEIs in accordance with the prevailing CHED PSG for Graduate Education.
21 
Sec. 43. Qualifications of the Dean. - The Dean's qualification shall be aligned
22 
with the CHED memorandum order specification. The Dean of the College of Nursing
23 
of a BSN program shall formulate policies and plans, in collaboration with the school
24 
officials and stakeholders and must adhere to the prescribed curriculum for the
25 
advancement of nursing education.
26 
Sec. 44. Qualifications of the Faculty. - Qualifications of the faculty member of
27 
the Baccalaureate Programs and Graduate Programs for Nursing Education shall be
28 
in accordance with CHED memorandum order specification.
29 
Sec. 45. Faculty-to-Student-Ratio. - The faculty-to-student ratio shall be in
30 
accordance with the standards to be determined and prescribed by the CHED.
20


1 
ARTICLE VI
2 
NURSING SERVICE
3 
Sec. 46. Nursing Service. - Nursing service refers to the healthcare services
A 
provided by nurses. These include the provision of general nursing sen/ices,
5 
specialized, and advanced practice of nursing, including nursing management in
6 
various health, industry or community settings where the competencies of a nurse
7 
are required.
8 
SEC 47. Public Health Nursing Service. - There shall be an adequate provision
9 
of essential health services in every local health facility to effectively implement public
10 
health programs for community and population groups. These essential services shall
11 
include: health information and education; expanded program of immunization
12 
against major infectious diseases; maternal and child health care including family
13 
planning and counseling; micro nutrient and nutritional food supplementation;
14 
prevention, treatment and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases
15 
including locally endemic diseases; mental health promotion; occupational health
16 
and safety; safe water and environmental sanitation; basic drugs supply; and
17 
emergency and disaster management.
18 
SEC 48. Public Health Nurse (PHN).- Public Health nurses work
19 
with individuals, families, and population groups that are the nucleus of the
20 
community. They collaborate with other members of the service delivery network
21 
with the goal of promoting health, preventing disease and disability, and treatment
22 
of common diseases and rehabilitation. A PHN may progress to become Pubiic Health
23 
Nurse Specialist (PHNS) who obtained specialty training focused on public health-
24 
based programs and substantial experience in managing public health conditions.
25 
A PHNS may progress to become an APN in public health after obtaining an
26 
advanced nursing preparation, either a master's or doctoral degree with emphasis on
27 
public health sciences, or their equivalent issued according to promulgation by the
28 
CHED, and as defined in Section 33 of this Act.
29 
As Advanced PHN Practitioners, their duties and responsibilities include the
30 
following:
21


1 
a. Delivering population-centered services and programs and other public health
2 
services such as occupational health, school health, emergency and disaster,
3 
and home and hospice services;
4 
b. Providing direct and indirect care to population groups and communities. Direct
5 
care consists of assessing and diagnosing population or communities; planning
6 
nursing actions; mobilizing community response; monitoring population health
7 
status and evaluating outcomes. Indirect care consists of engaging in policy
8 
change, education and training of public health nurse practitioners and in
9 
interdisciplinary research; acting as consultants to policy makers; and,
10 
c. Exercising collaborative leadership and political skills for successful population
11 
outcomes.
12 
Sec. 49. The National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO). - There shall be a National
13 
Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) who shall head the Office of the National Chief Nursing
14 
Officer (ONCNO) in the DOH. The NCNO shall be designated as Undersecretary.
15 
The National Chief Nursing Officer shall possess the qualifications as prescribed
16 
under the Policies, Standards, and Guidelines to be promulgated by the Board. The
17 
NCNO must have the following minimum qualifications:
18 
1. Be a registered nurse in the Philippines;
19 
2. Be a holder of a Doctorate Degree conferred by an HEI duly recognized by the
20 
government in a relevant healthcare and business/administration field;
21 
3. Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current professional
22 
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC;
23 
4. Must have the necessary Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) rank;
24 
5. Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service
25 
administration with experience in policy development;
26 
6. Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and
27 
7. Preferably a member of the organization of nursing service administrators duly
28 
recognized by the Board.
29 
The National Chief Nursing Officer shall hold office for a term of six (6) years
30 
until a successor shall have been appointed and qualified. The NCNO is a CESO-ranked
31 
officer who shall enjoy security of tenure in government service but must also be
32 
subject to performance evaluation to determine tenure in position.
22


1 
The NCNO shall have the following duties and functions, to wit:
2 
1. The National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) shall have the authority to directly
3 
advise the Secretary of Health on nursing matters;
4 
2. The NCNO in the DOH shall oversee and coordinate national nursing personnel
5 
utilization, nurses' welfare, the observance of decent work standards in all
6 
healthcare facilities and institutions with the necessary government agencies,
7 
and the adaptation of nursing development trends in nursing education and
8 
practice in both the public and private sectors;
9 
3. The NCNO, being the highest-ranking nursing official in the DOH, shall be
10 
responsible for overseeing and coordinating strategic management, financial
11 
and resource allocation, policies and standards development, professional and
12 
organizational development to relevantly address national epidemiologic and
13 
nursing personnel supply, demand, and distribution trends;
14 
4. The NCNO shall oversee the development of the Nursing Human Resource for
15 
Health Management System (NHRHMS), a national nursing information
16 
system and utilize statistical data and other nursing outcome metrics in the
17 
exercise of good governance and full accountability over nursing personnel
18 
systems in both private and public health care and community settings; and
19 
5. The NCNO shall also act as the advocate for the rights and welfare of nurses in
20 
both public and private institutions.
21 
Sec. 50. Establishment of Nursing Service Office in every Healthcare Institution.
22 
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). - There shall be established a nursing service office
23 
in every healthcare institution, in all levels and classifications of these institutions,
24 
whether administrative or clinical, with a complement of at least ten (10) Nurses.
25 
Nursing sen/ices must be under the control and management of a registered nurse
26 
designated as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in each health institution. Within the
27 
framework of health care delivery, nursing services in private and public institutions
28 
or community settings must be led and managed by a CNO, or the equivalent of Chief
29 
Nurse (CN) or Director of Nursing. The CNO shall be bestowed full administrative
30 
responsibility as leader and manager of nursing services within each institution. The
31 
CNO shall have the authority and accountability over the planning, organizing,
•32 
directing, and controlling including monitoring, evaluation, and policy development
23


1 
of nursing resources related to nursing services. The CNO responsibilities include
2 
strategic and operational planning, financial and resource allocation, policies and
3 
procedures development, professional and organizational involvement to address
4 
issues that have relevance for nursing.
5 
The CNO must have the following minimum qualifications:
6 
1. Be a registered nurse in the Philippines;
7 
2. Be a holder of a Master's Degree in nursing conferred by an HEI duly recognized
8 
by the government;
9 
3. Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current professional
10 
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC;
11 
4. Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service
12 
administration with experience in policy development; and
13 
5. Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and preferably
14 
be a member of the organization of nursing service administrators duly
15 
recognized by the Board.
16
17 
ARTICLE VII
18 
NURSING RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING
19 
Sec. 51. Nursing Research and Policy Development - Nursing Research and
20 
Policy Development shall involve the study of nurse-related issues, such as but not
21 
limited to:
22 
1. Professional nursing practice and nursing development such as advancing
23 
nursing knowledge, health and nursing governance, to ensure quality nursing
24 
care for all and advocacy for sound health policies nationally and globally;
25 
2. Information and knowledge management and communication technology;
26 
3. Regulation of nursing standards, competencies and the process of
27 
credentialing; and
28 
4. Socio-economic welfare for nurses like occupational health and safety, human
29 
resources planning and policy, remuneration and career development.
24


1 
ARTICLE VIII
2 
NURSING LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
3 
Sec. 52. Nursing Leadership and Governance. -Nursing leadership and
4 
governance involve the process of influencing other people through the exercise of
5 
authority, direction, control, and regulation in the practice of the nursing profession
6 
to achieve desired goals.
7 
Sec. 53. Nursing Service Management - Nursing service management refers to
8 
the management and administration of nursing services by nurses who must be
9 
equipped with necessary competencies on governance and leadership, to wit:
10 
1. First Level Manager is responsible for the management of a nursing unit and
11 
supervision of nursing support personnel Including but not limited to, Caregiver
12 
I, Caregiver II, Healthcare Dialysis Technician, Medication Technician, Orderlies,
13 
Orthopedics Technician, Patient Care Technician I, Patient Care Technician II,
14 
Sitter, Surgical Technician, and Ward Clerk/Unit Secretary.
15 
2. Middle Level Manager is responsible for the leadership and governance of more
16 
than one (1) nursing unit, particularly management of the operational systems,
17 
financial and human resources.
18 
3. Executive Level is responsible for establishing the strategic direction for the
19 
entire nursing division, particularly on the development of policies, standards
20 
and guidelines and has full authority in their implementation.
21 
Nursing Service Managers shall have the following minimum qualifications:
22 
1. For a first level managerial position in nursing: Must have at least eighteen (18)
23 
units of nursing management and clinical subjects in Master of Arts in Nursing
24 
or Master of Science in Nursing, with at least three (3) years of clinical work
25 
experience, and must have participated in at least one (1) research project
26 
related to the improvement of the quality of care;
27 
2. For a middle level managerial position in nursing: Must have completed all the
28 
academic requirements in Master of Arts in Nursing or Master of Science in
29 
Nursing, with at least three (3) years of clinical work and two (2) years of
30 
management experience, and must have participated in at least one (1)
31 
research project related to the improvement of the quality of care;
25


1 
3. For an executive position in nursing: Must have a postgraduate degree in
2 
nursing or health management-related sciences, with at least three (3) years
3 
of clinical work and three (3) years of management experience and must have
4 
conducted at least two (2) research projects related to the improvement of the
5 
quality of care in his / her institution.
6
7 
ARTICLE IX
8 
NURSING HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
9
10 
Sec. 54. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System. - The
11 
Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) shall cover all
12 
nursing human resources in the nursing service of both public and private sectors,
13 
and the healthcare, industrial and community settings. Institutions shall be
14 
mandated to report their information to ensure accurate nursing human resource
15 
and workforce projections and to reconcile these with supply data from CHED and
16 
PRC.
17 
Health facilities and institutions including industries that hire nurses, shall
18 
implement strategic NHRHMS in all levels of the nursing service and in the pursuit
19 
thereof, shall adopt and define appropriate nursing organizational structures to
20 
support competency, career development and professional growth, concept of job
21 
delight, productivity and conditions for decent work and job fulfillment of their
22 
nurses.
23 
It shall be mandatory for each healthcare facility to employ an evidence based
24 
human resources for health HRH assessment tool for nursing workload and workload
25 
pressure preferably the World Health Organization Workload Indicators for Staffing
26 
Need (WISN), to determine annually minimum safe staffing needs for registered
27 
nurses and nursing personnel. These Nursing staffing patterns, nursing plantilla, and
28 
skill-mix standards are requisites for safe and quality care for patients and must be
29 
upheld and practiced in order to be granted continued permission to operate the
30 
facility. The facility must use this assessment to plan and provide a budget for regular
31 
and plantilla position to ensure that safe and quality care is provided by the
32 
institution.
26


1 
Additionally, a registry of nursing professionals shall be incorporated in the
2 
NHRHMS in coordination with DOH, private institutions, and nursing organizations
3 
and groups indicating, among others, their current number of practitioners and
4 
location of practice.
5 
Sec. 55. Nursing Staff Complement. - The Board shall, in consuitation with the
6 
DOH and other stakeholders, ensure the provision of a safe nursing workforce for
7 
any healthcare setting and shall be guided by the following principles:
8 
1. Use of evidence-based, reliable, and up-to-date staffing and workforce data;
9 
2. Regular review and updating of staffing based on up-to-date evidence and best
10 
practice on the nurses' practice environment and nurse, nurse sensitive patient,
11 
organizational and system outcomes;
12 
3. Nurses must not be substituted with other cadres of workers in performing
13 
functions within the scope of nursing;
14 
4. Nurses in management positions must not be assigned to augment staffing
15 
limitations to fully perform their administrative roles and function to lead,
16 
support and mentor nursing staff;
17 
5. Respect for nurses' professional judgment in determining the required safe
18 
workforce staffing;
19 
6. Active involvement of direct care nursing staff and nursing management in all
20 
stages and aspects of the institution's HRH design, policy development, and
21 
decision making;
22 
7. Timely adjustments to nurse staffing based on changes in patients and
23 
population healthcare needs; and
24 
8. The nursing workforce complement is planned to ensure that patient safety,
25 
Quality service delivery, and positive practice environment is present as defined
26 
in Sec. 3.
27 
The appropriate number of nurses must be available at all times across the
28 
continuum of care, with a suitable mix of education, skills and experience to ensure
29 
that patient care needs and that the working environment and conditions of support
30 
staff are met. The maximum number of patients cared for by each nurse assigned in
31 
a healthcare facility, setting, or unit shall be determined by the nurse staffing standard
32 
in a general nursing service, or in the case of a genera! ward of a hospitai, shall be
27


1 
based on patient acuity, complexity of work, nurse competencies, and nursing
2 
modalities to effectuate positive practice environment, safe, and quality nursing care
3 
for patients.
4 
For general units, the maximum number of patients that a nurse may effectively
5 
and safely handle at any given time is ten (10). Thus, the minimum safe staffing
6 
standard for general units is 1:10 or one nurse for every ten patients. However, this
7 
staff-to patient standard may vary based on the assessed Safe Staffing Standard.
8 
Failure to comply with the above minimum safe staffing standard must be
9 
justified through the assessment tool findings and analysis as provided in this section.
10 
Non-compliance shall be referred to the Board for action.
11 
A nurse may invoke the mechanism of safe harbor for protection against
12 
employer retaliation, suspension, termination, discipline, discrimination, or licensure
13 
sanction.
14 
The Board shall, in consultation with the DOH and other stakeholders, from
15 
time to time, review and modify the nurse staffing standard as may hereinafter be
16 
established for the healthcare and industrial settings; and for the community, by taking
17 
into consideration the current community characteristics and population needs.
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In the community, there shall be a nurse in every barangay Health Center /
19 
Station; every primary, secondary, and tertiary school; industrial establishment and
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other health related facility, subject to the applicable staffing standard prescribed by
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the appropriate government agency.
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Sec. 56. Return Service Agreement - All registered nurses who are recipients
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of government-funded scholarship programs shall be required to serve in priority
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areas in the public sector for at least two (2) years, with compensation and under
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the supervision of a senior registered nurse . Those who will serve for an additional
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two (2) years shall be provided with additional incentives as determined by the
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government. Graduates of nursing from state universities and colleges and private
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HEIs shall be encouraged to serve in priority areas with similar compensation and
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incentives.
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ARTICLE X
2 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENAL PROVISIONS
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Sec. 57. Prohibited Acts. - The foiiowing acts are prohibited:
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1. Individual Acts:
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a. Practicing the nursing profession without a certificate of registration,
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professional identification card, special temporary permit or without
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having declared exempted from taking the licensure examination in
8 
accordance with this Act;
9 
b. Using the certificate of registration, professional identification card, or
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special temporary permit of another registered nurse;
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c. Using fraudulent, suspicious, or an expired suspended or revoked
12 
certificate of registration, professional identification card, or special
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temporary permit;
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d. Misrepresenting one's self or presenting false evidence to obtain a
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certificate of registration, professional identification card or special
16 
temporary permit;
17 
e. Falsely advertises one's self through any means to convey the
18 
impression that one is a nurse;
19 
f. Appending the R.N (Registered Nurse), CSPN (Certified Specialty
20 
Practice Nurse), or APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) to one's
21 
name without having been conferred the said registration or certification
22 
by the PRC; and
23 
g. Abetting or assisting in the illegal practice of the nursing profession
24 
through the following acts and entities.
25 
2. Institutional Acts:
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a. An HEI offering the BSN program which shall withhold any requirement
27 
or document, or both, of any graduate for the purpose of preventing
28 
them to apply for the PNLE without any justifiable reason;
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b. Any natural or juridical person or health facility which subscribes to
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substandard quality of nursing care or nursing practice, such as
31 
noncompliance with the staffing standard requirement;
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c. Any natural or juridical person or health facility which exercises and
promotes precarious working conditions for nurses, such as, the
following but not limited to:
i. 
Sexual harassment, workplace violence, lack of mental health 
promotion service'
ii. 
Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse either without 
salary or allowance, or for salary below the applicable salary 
grade or rate prescribed under this Act, whether or not under the 
pretext of a training development program, certification, or 
course, or seminar;
iii. 
Not giving the nurse his/her worked salary in a timely manner;
iv. 
Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as 
provided for under existing laws;
V. Collecting any fee from a nurse or from any person or agent in 
exchange for a nurse's voluntary services in a health, industrial or 
similar facility or institution;
vi. 
Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform the regular 
work functions or regular workload, or both, expected from a 
regular staff nurse without proper compensation, or to render full 
time service as a condition for the continued availment of their 
volunteer services, or to be the sole nurse on duty, except during 
disasters, calamities, public emergencies and war;
vii. 
Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse, under 
the pretext of On- The-Job Training (03T), contract of service, or 
job orders, in order to fill-up a vacant position that requires the 
hiring of a full time regular employed nurse, or for free in 
exchange for any type of certification to be issued by the health 
facility or institution or industrial establishment for purposes of 
the nurse's employment application;
viii. 
Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse, under the 
pretext of training or certification course, but requiring the nurse
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IX.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
to render the tasks and responsibilities expected of a regular staff 
or public health nurse;
Practicing job-splitting or hiring two part-timers in place of one 
full time employee and deploying the two nurses on a full-time 
basis;
Making mandatory, as a pre-hire requirement, training that 
should have been acquired during the BSN program or which, 
rightfully should be provided by the hiring institution;
Repeatedly subjecting or allowing the nurse to experience 
prejudice, violence, or discrimination;
Imposing mandatory overtime without valid reason or 
corresponding compensation, or both, as mandated by law; and 
Non-compliance with the minimum safe staffing requirement in 
Sec. 55;
Sec. 58. Sanctions. - A fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (Php 
100,000.00) nor more than Three hundred thousand pesos (Php 300,000.00) or 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years, or both, shall 
be imposed, at the discretion of the court, for the commission of any of the prohibited 
acts enumerated in Section 57 (A) of this Act.
A fine of not less than Three hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) nor 
more than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less 
than one (1) year or more than six (6) years, or both, shall be imposed, at the 
discretion of the court, for the commission of any of the prohibited acts enumerated 
in Section 57 (B) hereof.
In addition, suspension or revocation of license to operate the health facility or 
institution or industrial establishment may be ordered at the discretion of the court. 
In case the violation is committed by a partnership, corporation, association, or any 
other juridical person, the managing partner, president, managing director/s, or 
manager who has committed or consented to such violation shall be held directly liable 
and responsible for the acts as principal or as co-principal with the other participants, 
if any.
31


1 
Sec. 59. Refund and Compensation. - Any nurse found to have been a victim
2 
under Section 57 B.3 (e) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees illegally
3 
collected and the payment of unpaid salary, if any, which should not be less than the
4 
applicable wage for services rendered. This is without prejudice to the other liabilities
5 
of the violators under applicable laws.
6
7 
ARTICLE XI
8 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
9
10 
Sec. 60, Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Budget and Management
11 
(DBM), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
12 
(PhilHealth), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior
13 
and Local Government (DILG), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on
14 
Higher Education (CHED), are the designated agencies that shall be responsible for
15 
the implementation and monitoring of the compliance of the provisions of this Act.
16 
The DOH, DILG, and CSC shall be responsible for monitoring the compliance
17 
and implementation of the provisions of this Act by public health facilities and
18 
institutions. The DOH shall be the lead agency to monitor the compliance and
19 
implementation of the provisions of this Act by public health facilities and institutions.
20 
The DOLE shall be the agency responsible for monitoring the compliance and
21 
implementation of the provisions of this Act by private health facilities and institutions
22 
and industrial establishments. In addition, DOLE must create another category for
23 
health workers befitting the professional and complex work that nurses and other
24 
health professionals that are not captured justly by their being categorized as "non -
25 
agricultural" workers.
26 
The Board and PRC shall be the designated agencies responsible for monitoring
27 
the compliance and implementation of the provisions of this Act by nurses, HEIs, CPD
28 
providers, health facilities and institutions, and industrial establishments.
29 
The CHED shall be the agency responsible for monitoring the compliance and
30 
implementation of the provisions of this Act by HEIs with regard to nursing education
31 
programs and curriculum.
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1 
Sec. 61. Funding for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Training.
2 
-The participating government hospitals and institutions shall include in their budget
3 
the annual financial requirement needed to train at least ten percent (10%) of their
4 
nursing staff. Provided, However, that non-government hospitals and institutions
5 
shall support the training requirement or their nursing staff employed by them.
6 
Nothing in this provision shall prevent, diminish, or otherwise revoke existing
7 
company policy more favorable to the employee.
8 
Sec. 62. Appropriations. - The Chairman of the Professional Regulation
9 
Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Health shall immediately include
10 
in their program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included
11 
in the annual Genera! Appropriations Act.
12 
Sec. 63. Impiementing Rules and Regulations and Code of Ethics. - Within
13 
ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the PRC, the Board; the APO for
14 
nurses, CSC, DBM, DOH and other concerned nursing organizations and government
15 
agencies shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary to
16 
carry out the provisions of this Act.
17 
Sec. 64. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
18 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and
19 
operational.
20 
Sec. 65. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the
21 
'Philippine Nursing Act of 2002' is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders,
22 
circulars, issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent
23 
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
24 
Sec. 66. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
25 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of genera! circulation in the
26 
Philippines.
27 
Approved,
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