REPRESEN
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Republic of the Philippines fix oA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [fy RECEIVED “|
Quezon City = pave 10 sep 15
* TIME H ly
20th CONGRESS ‘Faas RY)
First Regular Session Wo noes cS

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 4495

Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C, ATAYDE

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

The 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes the vital role of health in nation-
building. Article XIII, Section 11, provides that "The State shall adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at
affordable cost.” This constitutional policy finds further expression in Republic Act
No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, which mandates accessible, quality,
and people-centered health services for every Filipino.

‘Achieving the goals of UHC hinges on a strong, well-supported, and
adequately compensated health workforce—foremost among them, the Filipino
nurses, Nurses are at the frontlines of health service delivery, embedded in
communities and hospitals alike, often serving as the primary and most enduring link
between patients and the health system. Yet, despite their central role, they continue

to face systemic neglect.

The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9173) was a significant
milestone in defining the professional standards of nursing practice. However, more

than two decades later, it no longer meets the evolving demands of the profession nor


reflects global best practices. Filipino nurses continue to contend with low wages,
delayed benefits, understaffing, lack of professional growth, and a chronic mismatch
between their trai

ing and career opportunities. These challenges have resulted in a
marked decline in nursing enrollees and board passers, as well as a persistent exodus

of our nurses to countries offering better compensation and working conditions.

‘As reported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), nursing
enrollment dropped by nearly half from its peak in 2010, largely due to poor local
employment prospects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino nurses were
celebrated as heroes, yet many were denied equitable compensation, prompting
renewed calls for reforms. Meanwhile, a 2020 WHO report urged countries like the
Philippines to invest in “education, employment, and leadership” in nursing to

sustain health system resilience and equity.

The World Health Organization's State of the World’s Nursing Report
underscored the importance of expanding the scope of nursing practice through the
institutionalization of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs)—licensed professionals
equipped with specialized training to lead in primary care, chronic disease
management, and community-based health interventions. The Philippines, despite its

wealth of talent, has yet to formally integrate APNs into its workforce strategy.

“This bill seeks to repeal and replace the outdated Philippine Nursing Act with
a forward-looking measure that addresses both the professional and economic

dimensions of nursing practice. Its key objectives include:

a. Strengthening the foundation for Advanced Practice Nursing, aligned with
UHC needs;

b. Ensuring decent wages, humane working conditions, and fair treatment for all
nursing professionals;

c. Institutionalizing career progression pathways and support for research,
specialization, and continuing education; and

d. Mandating staffing standards, safety protocols, and hazard protections for
public and private institutions alike.


Filipino nurses deserve more than applause—they deserve structural and
legislative support that reflects their indispensable contributions. By modernizing the
nursing law, this measure not only empowers nurses but also protects the health and
dignity of every Filipino they serve.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. JUAN CARLOB “ARJO” C. ATAYDE


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

20th CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4495

Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE

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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE T
GENERAL PROVISIONS,

SECTION. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the " The Philippine Nursing
Practice Act of 2025”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In pursuit of the constitutional mandate on the
right to health of every Filipino, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold
the welfare of the healthcare workers, as an essential component in gearing towards
Universal Health Care (UHC) through Primary Health Care. Nurses comprise the
great majority of the healthcare workers, both in the institutional and community
levels. Thus, the State recognizes nurses as prime movers of national development
and contributors to international cooperation and understanding.

It is likewise declared as the policy of the State, to uphold the dignity of and
respect for nurses through the improvement of the practice of 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.

Further, the State hereby guarantees accessible, affordable, and available
quality healthcare through an adequate and comprehensive Nursing Human
Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) throughout the country.


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SEC. 3. Definition of terms.- As used in this Act

. Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the national professional

organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC);

. Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) refers to a nurse who has acquired substantial

level of theoretical knowledge and decision-making skill in a specialty area of
nursing practice and demonstrated proficiency in clinical utilization of such
knowledge and skill in providing expanded and collaborative expert care from
‘a recognized HEI and who is Board and PRC -credentialed.

|. Agreed Upon Based Care refers to a mutually agreed upon patient care made

by an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and approved by the Primary Physician
in charge, through teleconsult or other means of communication, after
evaluation of the case referred. This shall be limited in the following
circumstances:

a. During an emergency and there is no physician in the area to physically
see the patient; or

b. Lack of an available physician due to inaccessibility of the area.

. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) refers to the baccalaureate program that

provides sound and liberal education that equips graduates with competencies
for registration as a professional and is the sole required academic standard for
entry into nursing practice in the Philippines, in accordance with the
appropriate qualification framework. The BSN program is effectively
promulgated under the enabling Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSG)
prescribed and issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

. Career Progression and Specialization Committee for Nursing (CPSCN) refers to the

body deputized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to develop
differentiating nursing- level standards, establish mechanisms and criteria for
credentialing of specialty organizations and interest groups, certification of
individuals at different levels of Post Baccalaureate nursing and advanced
practice for recommendation to the Board of Nursing (BON);

. Career Progression and Specialization Program for Nurses (CPSPN) refers to the

Program of differentiating nursing-level standards, the system of credentialing
specialty organizations and interest groups, and certification of individuals at
different levels of practice, recognized by the PRC and the Board of Nursing;

. Certification refers to the process of validating achievements through a variety

of measures and assessment strategies to confirm or attest to the competency


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of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) upon completion of a specialty program
or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, or both. The
certification is issued by the Board and the PRC upon endorsement of the
specified recognized and credentialed specialty organization in accordance
with the PSG;

8. Credentialing refers to the formal recognition of a specialty organization or
interest group conferred by the PRC and the Board upon the recommendation
of the CPSPN after complying with the PSG;

9. Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) refers to the highest nursing administrative and
clinical official in healthcare facilities. The CNO is responsible for leading and
coordinating an organization's nursing services and its daily operation. The
CNO is the primary spokesperson for nurses in the facility and must be a
registered nurse;

10. Clinical Practice refers to any professional practice rendered in any healthcare
setting like institutional, public health, and any healthcare industry;

11. Decent Work refers to aspirations by people in their working lives. It involves
opportunities for work that is productive, delivers a fair income, security in the
workplace, social protection for family; opportunities for personal
development, psychological well-being, social integration, freedom to express
their concerns, organize and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and
equal treatment regardless of ethnicity, gender, position, or religion.

12. Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) refer to barangays
specifically deprived due to the presence of both physical and socioeconomic
factors;

13, Health Facility refers to a public or private institution, establishment or clinic
devoted primarily to the provision of services: including the following:
nursing, health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation,
and palliation of individuals suffering from illness, disease, injury or disability,
or deformity, orin need of obstetrical, psychiatric or other medical and nursing
care. This cover hospitals, barangay health centers, and other clinics;

=

. Individual-based Health Services refer to services which can be accessed remotely
or within a health facility which focus primarily on treating individuals;

15, National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) refers to the highest-ranking, nursing
official of the Department of Health (DOH) whose main function is to influence
through expert advice, safe nursing and quality standards, and implement
nursing policies for both the public and private sectors;


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16. Nurse is a title conferred on an individual who has met the legal, educational
and administrative requirements to practice nursing; and is duly registered and
licensed to practice the nursing profession, with all the rights and privileges
appurtenant thereto;

17. Nursing care refers to the physiological, psychological, spiritual and emotional,
social and cultural care, and essential health care, safety and comfort measures,
and health teachings; execution of health care techniques and procedures ,
traditional and innovative approaches to individuals, families, population
groups and communities from conception to death;

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Nursing Diagnosis is a statement of clinical judgment by a licensed nurse
concerning a response to an actual or potential health problem of the
individual, family, or community. (e.g. Fever: elevated body temperature of
378 celsius or higher related to upper respiratory tract infection);

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Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) refers to an
organized human resource management and development information system
based in the DOH and directed by the NCNO, that provides meaningful data
used to support policies affecting nurses and nursing;

20. Nursing practice refers to the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals
of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings; it
includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill,
disabled and dying people. Additional key nursing roles include advocacy,
promotion of a safe environment, participation in patient and health services
management, shaping health policy, education, and research;

2

. Nursing Service refers to an office, headed by a CNO within a public or private
healthcare institution, responsible for administrative and clinical supervision
of nurses and nursing personnel;

22, Patient Acuity refers to the intensity of care provided to a patient by a registered
nurse or the use of patient classification systems that can forecast patient care
requirements for nursing care to manage nursing personnel;

23. Philippine Professional Nursing Practice Standards (PPNPS) refers to the
authoritative statements of the core competencies and duties that all registered
nurses, regardless of role, designation, or specialty, are expected to perform. It
also promotes, guides, and directs professional practice;

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Philippine Professional Nursing Roadmap (PPNR) refers to a program towards
good governance of the nursing profession. It is a strategy in ensuring the
culture of excellence and dynamic leadership for Philippine nursing;


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25. Positive Practice Environment refers to a practice setting that promotes economic
welfare, professional autonomy, job satisfaction and retention of nurses by ensuring
safe staffing, managerial support, professional development, occupational safety and
psychological health and prevention of workplace violence to promote patient and nurse

safety;

|. Precarious work refers to working conditions which are contingent, atypical or
non- standard. It is usually characterized by uncertainty of employment
including diminution or change in position, employment status, multiple
possible employers or a disguised or ambiguous employment relationship, lack
of access to social protection benefits usually associated with employment, low
pay and substantial legal and practical obstacles to joining a trade union and
bargaining collectively;

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Primary Care refers to initial-contact, continuous, comprehensive and
coordinated, and culturally appropriate care that is accessible at the time of
need including a range of services for all presenting conditions, and the ability
to coordinate referrals to other health care providers in the health care delivery
system, when necessary, every household, a nurse is responsible for their care;

28. Return Service Agreement refers to an agreement whereby graduates of the
nursing course who are recipients of government-funded scholarship
programs are required to serve in priority areas in the public sector, subject to
the conditions prescribed by RA. No. 11223, otherwise known as “The
Universal Health Care Act”;

29, Safe Harbor refers to protection for the nurse from employer retaliation if the
nurse raises the issue to safety in terms of staffing or reassignment

30. Special Temporary Permit (STP) refers to the authority to engage in limited
nursing practice granted to foreign- registered or foreign- licensed nurses and
Filipino nursing graduates under the conditions set forth in this Act.

ARTICLE I
BOARD OF NURSING

SEC 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There shall be created, under
the administrative supervision of the PRC, the Professional Regulatory Board of
Nursing which shall be composed of seven (7) Members who shall be appointed by
the President of the Philippines from among those recommended and ranked from a
list of at least three (3) nominees per vacancy as provided by the APO,
proportionately representing both the nursing service and the academe covering all
the areas of expertise of the nursing licensure examination. The members of the


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Board may elect from among themselves a Chairperson to serve for one year subject
to re-election as such on a year to year basis.

SEC. 5. Mission of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing.- The Board
shall protect and promote the welfare of the people of the Philippines by ensuring
that each person holding a license as a nurse in the Philippines is competent to
practice safely. The Board shall fulfill its mission through the regulation of the
practice of nursing and the approval of nursing education programs in collaboration
with the CHED.

The Board affirms that the regulation of the nursing profession is a public trust
and accords it with the highest standards of ethics, accountability, efficiency,
effectiveness, and transparency and shall approach its mission with a deep sense of
purpose and responsibility.

SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The
Chairperson and Members of the Board must be natural born citizens of the
Philippines and have resided therein for at least five (5) consecutive years
immediately preceding the date of their respective appointments. Furthermore, at the
time of their appointment, they must possess the following:

1. A valid and current certificate of registration and updated professional
identification card as nurse;

2. A Master's Degree in nursing, and preferably, with relevant Doctorate Degree
conferred by a duly recognized higher educational institution (HED;

3. With at least ten (10) continuous years of active nursing practice immediately
prior to appointment; Provided, That, the last five (5) years of such practice must
have been served in the Philippines;

4. Good moral character as evidenced by not having been convicted of any offense
involving moral turpitude; and

5. Physical and mental fitness.

SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and
regulate the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers,
duties and functions:

1. Ensure the proper conduct of the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination
(PNLE), including the evaluation of examination applications, test
development, administration of the examination, correction, and release of the
results thereof. The use of appropriate technologies and modalities in the


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conduct of the PNLE is encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding
integrity;

. Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice, study the

conditions affecting nursing practice in the Philippines, and exercise the
powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethico-moral technical
and professional standards in the practice of nursing towards the optimal
health and common good of the nation;

. Ensure quality nursing education by the strict evaluation of applications to

open nursing education programs and the regular monitoring of existing
programs, to guarantee that the standards of nursing education are properly
complied with and maintained at all times;

. Promulgate a Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards that is responsive to the

needs of the nursing profession, in coordination with the APO for nurses,
within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act;

. Prescribe and operationalize Career Progression and Specialization Program

for Nursing (CPSPN) to ensure the continuing professional development of
nurses including recognition and credentialing of organized nursing groups
and certification of advanced practice nurses;

. Work in partnership with the appropriate agencies to identify and utilize

resources earmarked for national nursing development;

. Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and

to submit recommendations to authorities and agencies, to aid in policy
formation and decision- making as may be necessary for the improvement of
the nursing practice, advancement of the profession, and the proper
enforcement of this Act, subject to the review and approval of the PRC;

. Oversee the implementation of the Philippine Profession Nursing Roadmap;

. Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against nurses for

unethical or unprofessional conduct or any violation of this Act, or its rules and
regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum or
subpoena duces tecum, or both, to require the appearance of respondents and
witnesses or the production of documents, or both and to punish for contempt
persons obstructing or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such
proceedings, upon application with the regular courts;

Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate certificate of registration and special
temporary permits for the practice of nursing; and


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11. Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions.

SEC. 8. Prohibition as Members of the Board. - The Members of the Board shall
not, at the time of their appointments and during their incumbency, hold any position
nor have pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any HEI offering BSN, or in any
review or training center for the Professional Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE),
[training hospital or health facility with nursing affiliates,] and is not an officer of the
APO.

SEC. 9. Term of Office. - The Members of the Board shall hold office for a term
of three (3) years. Any Member of the Board may serve for a maximum of two (2)
terms ora total of six (6) years.

SEC. 10. Compensation. - The Members of the Board shall receive
compensation and allowances comparable to those received by the Members of other
regulatory boards under the PRC.

SEC. 11. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. - The President may
remove or suspend any member of the Board, after notice and hearing, upon
recommendation of the PRC on any of the following grounds:

1. Continued neglect of duty or incompetence;

2, Commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of the PNLE;
3. Unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable conduct; or

4, Non-disclosure of conflict of interest.

SEC. 12. Vacancy. - Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled in the manner
prescribed in this Act and only for the unexpired portion of the term. Each member
of the Board shall take the proper oath of office prior to the performance of their
duties.

SEC. 13. Limited Practice of the Profession. - During their incumbency, the
Members of the Board may be allowed to practice their profession or maintain
employment or affiliation in the public or private sector provided that there is no
conflict of interest and subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed by law.

SEC. 14. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records,
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative
supervision of the PRC. All records of the Board, including applications for
examinations, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board
must be under the custody of the PRC. The PRC shall designate the Secretary of the
Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the
provisions of this Act.



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SEC. 15. Amual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of every calendar year,
submit an annual report to the President and Congress of the Philippines, through
the PRC, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and the accomplishments
during the year and making recommendations for the adoption of measures that will
upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of the nursing profession.

ARTICLE IIL
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

SEC. 16. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE) and Registration
Fees. - In order to obtain the certificates of registrations and professional
identification cards, all nursing graduates must take and pass the PNLE. The Board
shall administer the PNLE in such places and dates as may be designated by the PRC.

Applicants for the PNLE and registration must pay the prescribed fees set by
the PRC.

SEC. 17. Scope of Examination. - The Board shall determine the scope of the
PNLE, taking into consideration the nursing core competencies, the nursing
curriculum, the scope and areas of nursing practice, and other related disciplines.

SEC. 18. Qualifications for Admission to the PNLE. - At the time of the filing
of application for the PNLE, an applicant must be:

1. A holder of a BSN degree from an HEI that is compliant with the standards of
nursing education recognized by the government;

2. Of good moral character and has not been convicted by final judgment of any
criminal offense involving moral turpitude or found guilty of immoral or
dishonorable conduct or judicially declared to be of unsound mind; and

3, A citizen of the Philippines, or of a foreign country or State which permits
Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the
subject or citizen of such country or State: Provided, That the requirements for
the registration or licensing of nurses in said country or State are substantially
the same as those prescribed in this Act.

SEC. 19. Professional Nurse Licensure Examination Ratings. -To be considered
as having passed the PNLE, an examinee must [pass] obtain at least seventy-five
percent (75%) of the tested areas of all the nursing competencies. An examinee who
has failed the PNLE three times (3x) shall not be allowed to take any further PNLE,
without having undertaken a refresher program in a duly accredited institution. The
Board shall issue the guidelines on the refresher program requirement.


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SEC. 20. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
Card. - The certificate of registration and professional identification card shall be
issued to all successful examinees, upon compliance with all the requirements for
registration. The certificate of registration shall show the full name of the registrant,
certificate of registration number, and date of initial registration. The same must be
duly signed by the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the Chairperson of the
PRC, with their corresponding seals.

‘The professional identification card shall bear the full name of the registrant,
the certificate of registration number, date of initial registration, and date of the
expiration, and which must be duly signed by the Chairperson of the PRC. The
professional identification card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfying
the requirements set by the PRC, including the payment of the required fees.

SEC. 21. Oath of Profession. - All successful examinees must take the Oath of
Profession before any member of the Board or government official authorized to
administer oaths prior to practicing their profession.

SEC. 22. Registry of Nurses. - The PRC shall maintain a roster of nurses which
shall serve as the centralized database of nurses for purposes of documentation,
verification of registrants, statistics, research and development.

SEC. 23. Accredited Professional Organization (APO). - All nurses whose
names appear in the Registry of Nurses of the PRC become members preferably of
the APO for nurses, and shalll receive all the benefits and privileges therefrom upon
payment of membership fees and duties. Membership in other organizations of
nurses shall not be barred.

SEC. 24. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign nurse shall be given a certificate of
registration and professional identification card or be entitled to any of the privileges
under this Act unless the country or State of which such foreign nurse is a subject or
citizen permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis
as the subjects or citizens of said country or State.

SEC. 25. Limited Practice Through Special Temporary Permit. - The Board may
Issue special temporary permits to the following persons based on qualifications, and
professional and moral standards as approved by the Board and the PRC:

1. Registered or Licensed Nurses of foreign citizenship: (i) whose services are
either for a fee or free if they are internationally well known specialists or
outstanding experts in any branch or specialty in nursing; (ii) who are on
medical mission whose services shall be free in a particular hospital, center or

clinic; (iii) who are engaged by HEIs offering the BSN and graduate programs



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as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; or (iv) who come to
provide aid during declared disasters and calamities.

2. Nursing graduates with Philippine citizenship who may render nursing service
during epidemics or national emergencies under the supervision of a registered
and licensed nurse: Provided, That, they have graduated within the last five (5)
years prior to the occurrence of the epidemic or national emergency in which
they shall serve.

3. The special temporary permit issued to registered and licensed nurses of
foreign citizenship shall be effective only for the duration of the project, health
mission, engagement, but which in no case shall exceed one (1) year, subject to
renewal. The special temporary permit issued to nursing graduates with
Philippine citizenship shall automatically cease upon the lifting or termination
of the epidemic or national emergency. A completion report shall be submitted
to the Board and the PRC after the conduct of such project, medical mission,
engagement or contract. In the case of nurses of Philippine citizenship who
rendered services during an epidemic or national emergency, the completion
report shall be submitted by the registered nurse authorized to supervise them.

‘The Board shall issue the corresponding guidelines in the issuance of the special
temporary permit pursuant to this Section.

SEC. 26. Non-Registration and Non-issuance of Certificate of Registration,
Professional Identification Card, Special Temporary Permit. - Any person who has
been convicted by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude
or found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or judicially declared to be of
unsound mind shall not be registered and issued a certificate of registration,
professional identification card, or a special temporary permit.

The Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth the
reasons for such actions, which shall be incorporated in the records of the Board.

SEC. 27. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration, Professional
Identification Card and Cancellation of Special Temporary Permit. - The Board shall
have the power to reprimand a nurse or revoke or suspend the certificate of
registration, professional identification card, or special temporary permit, after due
notice and hearing, on any of the following grounds:

1. Conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral
turpitude or of immoral or dishonorable conduct or having been judicially
declared to be of unsound mind;


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2. Violation of this Act, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for nurses, and
other policies, rules and regulations of the Board and the PRC;

3. Negligence, misconduct, or incompetence in the practice of nursing resulting
to injury, harm, disability or death;

4, Commission of fraud, non-disclosure of disqualification, or misrepresentation
in obtaining a certificate of registration, professional identification card, or
special temporary permit;

5. Practicing the nursing profession during the period of suspension of license;

6. Breach of ethical practice in research in accordance with prevailing national
and international guidelines; or

7. Other grounds analogous to the foregoing.

Provided, That, if the penalty imposed is suspension or revocation of the license,
the respondent shall be required to surrender their certificate of registration and
professional identification card.

SEC. 28. Reinstatement and Re-issuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration
and Professional Identification Card. - The Board may, upon proper application
therefor and payment of the required fees, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate
of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period for revocation, for
reasons of equity and justice, and when the cause for revocation has disappeared or
has been cured or corrected.

ARTICLE IV
NURSING PRACTICE

SEC. 29. Scope of Nursing Practice. - Nursing practice includes a range of roles,
functions, responsibilities, and activities on which a registered nurse is educated,
competent, and has authority to perform which includes nursing service, education,
research, leadership, and governance as defined in this Act.

A person shall be deemed practicing the nursing profession when singly or in
collaboration with other professionals, with or without fee or compensation, the
person assumes any or all of the four (4) roles: (1) provider of direct patient care; (2)
educator; (3) researcher and (4) manager and leader. The nurse's clients shalll include
individuals, families, population groups, and communities, with varying age groups,
gender, health-illness status, in any health care, industrial or community setting.
Additionally, nurses shall utilize the full extent of their education, training and
experience and shall perform work that requires the highest skill set.


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Nurses are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and prevention of
illness.

Nurses shall collaborate with other health care providers for the promotive,
preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care, restoration of health,
alleviation of suffering and, when recovery is not possible, in the provision of
palliative and end of life care. In performing collaborative functions, it shall be the
duty of the nurse to:

1. Provide nursing care through the conscientious observance of the nursing
process and established agreed upon based care;

2. Provide advanced nursing care based on the Career Progression Specialization
Program for Nursing (CPSPN) and the Philippine Qualifications Framework
(PQF), a quality assured national system for the development, recognition and
award of qualifications at defined levels based on standards of knowledge,
skills and values acquired in different ways and methods by professionals,
learners and workers. The POF is competency based, labor-market driven and
an assessment based qualification recognition;

3. Establish linkages with community resources and coordination with the
healthcare workers in any health care, industrial or community setting;

4, Provide health education and health counselling to empower individuals,
families, population groups and communities towards the promotion of health,
prevention of illness, and caring towards a peaceful death;

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. Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education programs, including
the administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals,
clinics and other health, industrial or community settings where practice of the
nursing profession exists;

6. Provide duly compensated professional nursing services, such as consultation
services and private nursing practice;

7. Supervise nursing and ancillary nursing personnel in the delivery of safe and
quality healthcare services in varied settings;

8. Maintain competence by adhering to the CPSP standards and the PPNPS as
well as engage in lifelong learning within the context of the CPSP;

9. Observe, at all times, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for nurses
promulgated by the Board, uphold the standards of safe and quality nursing
practice, and demonstrate cultural, gender sensitivity and social responsibility;


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10. Undertake nursing and health human resource development training and
research for evidenced based and continual quality improvement, a quality
assured national system for the development, recognition and award of
qualifications at defined levels based on standards of knowledge, skills and
values acquired in different ways and methods by professionals, learners and
workers. The PQFis competency-based, labor- market driven and an
assessment- based qualification recognition; practice; and

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Exercise the core competencies in the performance of their respective roles and
responsibilities, in accordance with the PPNPS.

SEC. 30. Qualifications of a Registered Nurse. - A nurse shall have a broad and
coherent set of knowledge and skills in the field of nursing to provide safe and quality
care to an individual, family, and beyond-population group or community,
independently or as part of a team of healthcare providers. A nurse must be able to
assess, make a nursing diagnosis, create a nursing plan, implement, and evaluate the
nursing care provided to clients based on the set of knowledge and skills derived from
nursing practice and research, They may practice General Practice Nursing or
Specialty Practice Nursing, which demands higher cognitive, behavioral and
performance skills in all complex nursing areas such as high dependency unit, critical
care unit, disaster areas, special procedure or interventional area, provided, they have
acquired the relevant competencies.

SEC 31. General Practice Nursing (GPN). - A licensed nurse may go into
general practice taking on a role involving the provision and advocacy of a safe and
holistic quality care_to individuals, families, population groups, or communities,
which include the assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and
evaluation of evidence-based care to the clients in the context of nursing practice. A
General Practice Nurse must have the following minimum qualifications:

1. ABSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the government;

2. A valid certificate of registration and current professional identification card as
a nurse issued by the PRC;

3. Physically, mentally and psychologically fit to practice nursing; and
4. Not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 32. Specialty Practice Nursing (SPN). - Involves a specialized area for
which the nurse needs to obtain specialty recognition after having undergone
specialty training by the BON - credentialed nursing specialty organization as
approved by the Commission. Nurses who practice within this field are referred to


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as “Nurse Specialists". A Nurse Specialist must have the following minimum
qualifications:

2.

ABSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the government;

A valid certificate of registration and current professional identification card as
a nurse issued by the Commission;

. With at least three (3) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing

specialty;

|. Received a specialty training in the area of specialty practice in nursing;

Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;

. Not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and

. A member of the appropriate Board - accredited nursing specialty

organization.

SEC. 33. Advanced Practice Nursing. - A scope of nursing practice where the

nurses have acquired the expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills and
clinical competencies for an “agreed upon based” care, particularly in areas where
physicians are not available.

‘An Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) provides direct complex specialty care,

team consultation and agreed upon expert care, referrals to and from other members
of the healthcare team in complex cases, within the scope of nursing practice. An
APN works in collaboration with a licensed primary care physician limited to the
functions set forth by this Act.

An APN must have the following minimum qualifications:

. A graduate of Master of Science in Nursing (Advanced Practice Nursing) from

a government recognized HEI;

With at least five (5) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing specialty.

. A graduate of an HEI with a specified post-graduate curriculum with

a. minimum advanced practice core courses;

b. minimum competencies in Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and
Risk Reduction;


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¢. supervised clinical practicum rotation with an experienced APN or
physician in accordance with approved CHED curriculum for APN
practicum;

4. 500 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduation from MSN to
satisfy the requirements for APN certification;

5. Pass the certification examination by the BON-designated certified nursing
specialty group;

6. Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
7. Maintain the certification, renewable every five (5) years;
8. A member of an appropriate accredited Board Specialty organization.

SEC. 34, Authority of an Advanced Practice Nurse. - The APN’s expanded
roles include advocacy, leadership and management, research and inter-professional
education, commonly based in primary health care. An APN ensures safe, holis
and quality care to individuals, families, including population groups or communities
towards achieving quality, accessible, and affordable health care for all Filipinos. It
also refers to a navigator, coordinator, and initial and continuing point of contact of
the patient to ensure continuity during transitions of care.

The APN shall perform the following functions:

1. Assess the patient based on the standard operating procedures set forth by the
nursing profession;

2. Make a sound nursing diagnosis based on the assessment made by him or her;

3. Refer the nursing diagnosis to a licensed primary care physician, the APN may
suggest his or her plan of care for the patient subject to the physician’s final
approval;

4, Administer the medications and treatments prescribed by the physician and do
post- monitoring for effects;

5. Perform basic wound care, foot care, prenatal and postnatal care as well as
newbom care;

6. Monitoring and care of Hypertensive, Diabetic, Stroke, and other Chronically-
ill patients;

7. Serve as a Mentor and Educator providing health teachings;

8. Conduct Research;


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9. Serve as an Administrator.

‘The APN shall be accredited by PhilHealth or other relevant government health
care agency to receive payments for services rendered.

SEC. 35. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - All nurses shall abide
by the requirements, rules and regulations on the CPD promulgated by the PRC, in
coordination with the APO for nurses, and the duly authorized representative of the
organization of deans of HEIs offering the BSN program. For this purpose, a CPD
Council is created to accredit CPD providers and programs for nurses.

SEC. 36. Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. - Inactive
nurses intending to return to practice must undergo a refresher course as prescribed
by the Board. Nurses are considered to be inactive under any of the following
circumstances:

1. They have not practiced nursing as defined in the scope of nursing practice for
at Least five (5) consecutive years;

2. They have not renewed their professional identification card for five (5) years;
or

3. They do not have proof of five (5) years of continuous nursing practice;

SEC. 37. Salary and Compensation. - Nurses shall, at all times, receive
compensation that is just and due them and commensurate to the level of education,
and proportionate to training, experience, and complexity of nursing skill required
for the services rendered.

Nurses providing nursing services in both government and private sectors, and
who are integral to the functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions, must be
classified as regular staff after a reasonable probationary period, as mandated by law.

The minimum base pay, upon entry, of all nurses working in government and
private health, industrial and community settings, must not be lower than Salary
Grade 15 (SG 15), as implemented in government service.

The pay for nurses working in Nursing Education, both in government and
non-government schools and universities, shall be in accordance with academic
rank.

Non-government or private health facilities, or both, institutions and industrial
establishments shall comply with the requirement on the salary rate in tranches
within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act subject to existing labor laws.

SEC. 38. Incentives and Benefits. - The Board, in coordination with the DOH
and other concerned government and non-government institutions, association of


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hospitals and the APO for nurses, shall establish an incentive and benefit system in
the form of free hospital care, scholarship grants and other non-cash benefits for
nurses and their dependents subject to existing

regulations.

SEC. 39. Non-Diminution of Benefits and Incentives. - The implementation of
Sections 37 and 38 of this Act shall not result in the diminution of existing grants of
salaries, benefits and incentives for nurses.

ARTICLE V
NURSING EDUCATION

SEC. 40. Basic Nursing Education. - Nursing education refers to the formal
learning and training in the science and art of nursing provided by HEIs duly
recognized by the CHED. There shall be a standard Baccalaureate and Graduate
Program for Nursing Education pursuant to Republic Act No. 7722 otherwise known
as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”.

SEC 41. Baccalaureate Program in Nursing. - The Baccalaureate Program in
Nursing refers to the basic nursing education program which envisions a sound and
liberal professional education that will adequately equip nursing students with the
necessary compe tencies for entry level nursing practice. Admission to the
Baccalaureate Program for Nursing Education requires [a] passing a National
Nursing Admission Test (NNAT).

The curriculum and the Related Learning Experiences (RLE) must be in
accordance with the appropriate PSG of the CHED.

SEC. 42, Graduate Programs for Nursing Education. - The Graduate Programs
for nursing refer to the post baccalaureate nursing program which builds on the
experiences and skills of a nurse towards mastery and expertise in nursing service
(institutional and community), education, research , and leadership and governance.
This includes the Master's Degree and Doctorate Degree in Nursing. Graduate
Programs for Nursing Education shall be offered only through accredited programs
of HEIs in accordance with the prevailing CHED PSG for Graduate Education.

SEC. 43. Qualifications of the Dean, -The Dean's qualification shall be aligned
with the CHED memorandum order specification. The Dean of the College of
Nursing of a BSN program shall formulate policies and plans, in collaboration with
the school officials and stakeholders and must adhere to the prescribed curriculum
for the advancement of nursing education.

SEC. 44. Qualifications of the Faculty. - Qualifications of the faculty member
of the Baccalaureate Programs and Graduate Programs for Nursing Education shall
be in accordance with CHED memorandum order specification.


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SEC. 45. Faculty-to-Student-Ratio. - The faculty-to-student ratio shall be in
accordance with the standards to be determined and prescribed by the CHED.

ARTICLE VI
NURSING SERVICE

SEC. 46. Nursing Service. - Nursing service refers to the healthcare services
provided by nurses. These include the provision of general nursing services,
specialized, and advanced practice of nursing, including nursing management in
various health, industry or community settings where the competencies of a nurse
are required.

SEC 47. Public Health Nursing Service. - There shall be an adequate provision
of essential health services in every local health facility to effectively implement
public health programs for community and population groups. These essential
services shall include: health information and education; expanded program of
immunization against major infectious diseases; maternal and child health care
including family planning and counseling; micro nutrient and nutritional food
supplementation; prevention, treatment and control of communicable and non-
communicable diseases including locally endemic diseases; mental health
promotion; occupational health and safety; safe water and environmental sanitation;
basic drugs supply; and emergency and disaster management.

SEC48. Public Health Nurse (PHN).- Public Health nurses work
with individuals, families, and population groups that are the nucleus of the
community. They collaborate with other members of the service delivery network
with the goal of promoting health, preventing disease and disability, and treatment
of common diseases and rehabilitation. A PHN may progress to become Public
Health Nurse Specialist (PHNS) who obtained specialty training focused on public
health-based programs and substantial experience in managing public health
conditions.

A PHNS may progress to become an APN in public health after obtaining an
advanced nursing preparation, either a master's or doctoral degree with emphasis on
public health sciences, or their equivalent issued according to promulgation by the
CHED, and as defined in Section 33 of this Act.

‘As Advanced PHN Practitioners, their duties and responsibilities include the
following:

a) Delivering population-centered services and programs and other public health
services such as occupational health, school health, emergency and disaster, and
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b) Providing direct and indirect care to population groups and communities.
Direct care consists of assessing and diagnosing population or communities;
planning nursing actions; mobilizing community response; monitoring
population health status and evaluating outcomes. Indirect care consists of
engaging in policy change, education and training of public health nurse
practitioners and in interdisciplinary research; acting as consultants to policy
makers; and,

©) Exercising collaborative leadership and political skills for successful population
outcomes.

SEC. 49, The National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO). - There shall be a National
Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) who shall head the Office of the National Chief
Nursing Officer (ONCNO) in the DOH. The NCNO shall be designated as
Undersecretary.

The National Chief Nursing Officer shall possess the qualifications as
prescribed under the Policies, Standards, and Guidelines to be promulgated by the
Board. The NCNO must have the following minimum qualifications:

1. Bea registered nurse in the Philippines;

2. Bea holder of a Doctorate Degree conferred by an HEI duly recognized by the
government in a relevant healthcare and business/ administration field;

3. Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current professional
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC;

4. Must have the necessary Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) rank;

5. Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service
administration with experience in policy development;

6. Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and

7. Preferably a member of the organization of nursing service administrators duly
recognized by the Board.

The National Chief Nursing Officer shall hold office for a term of six (6) years
until a successor shall have been appointed and qualified. The NCNO is a CESO-
ranked officer who shall enjoy security of tenure in government service but must also
be subject to performance evaluation to determine tenure in position.

The NCNO shall have the following duties and functions, to wi

1, The National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) shall have the authority to directly
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2. The NCNO in the DOH shall oversee and coordinate national nursing
personnel utilization, nurses’ welfare, the observance of decent work standards
in all healthcare facilities and institutions with the necessary government
agencies, and the adaptation of nursing development trends in nursing
education and practice in both the public and private sectors;

3. The NCNO, being the highest-ranking nursing official in the DOH, shall be
responsible for overseeing and coordinating strategic management, financial
and resource allocation, policies and standards development, professional and
organizational development to relevantly address national epidemiologic and
nursing personnel supply, demand, and distribution trends;

4. The NCNO shall oversee the development of the Nursing Human Resource for
Health Management System (NHRHMS), a national nursing information
system and utilize statistical data and other nursing outcome metrics in the
exercise of good governance and full accountability over nursing personnel
systems in both private and public health care and community settings; and

5. The NCNO shall also act as the advocate for the rights and welfare of nurses in
both public and private institutions.

SEC. 50. Establishment of Nursing Service Office in every Healthcare
Institution. The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). - There shall be established a nursing
service office in every healthcare institution, in all levels and classifications of these
institutions, whether administrative or clinical, with a complement of at least ten (10)
Nurses. Nursing services must be under the control and management of a registered
nurse designated as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in each health institution. Within
the framework of health care delivery, nursing services in private and public
institutions or community settings must be led and managed by a CNO, or the
equivalent of Chief Nurse (CN) or Director of Nursing. The CNO shall be
bestowed full administrative responsibility as leader and manager of nursing
services within each institution. The CNO shall have the authority and accountability
over the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling including monitoring,
evaluation, and policy development of nursing resources related to nursing services.
The CNO responsibilities include strategic and operational planning, financial and
resource allocation, policies and procedures development, professional and
organizational involvement to address issues that have relevance for nursing.

The CNO must have the following minimum qualifications:
1. Be a registered nurse in the Philippines;

2. Be a holder of a Master's Degree in nursing conferred by an HEI duly
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3. Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current professional
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC;

4. Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service
administration with experience in policy development; and

5. Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and preferably
be a member of the organization of nursing service administrators duly
recognized by the Board.

ARTICLE VII
NURSING RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING.

SEC. 51. Nursing Research and Policy Development. - Nursing Research and
Policy Development shall involve the study of nurse-related issues, such as but not
limited to:

1. Professional nursing practice and nursing development such as advancing
nursing knowledge, health and nursing governance, to ensure quality nursing
care for all and advocacy for sound health policies nationally and globally;

2. Information and knowledge management and communication technology;

3. Regulation of nursing standards, competencies and the process of
credentialing; and

4, Socio-economic welfare for nurses like occupational health and safety, human
resources planning and policy, remuneration and career development.

ARTICLE VIIL
NURSING LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

SEC, 52. Nursing Leadership and Governance. -Nursing leadership and
governance involve the process of influencing other people through the exercise of
authority, direction, control, and regulation in the practice of the nursing profession
to achieve desired goals.

SEC. 53. Nursing Service Management. - Nursing service management refers to
the management and administration of nursing services by nurses who must be
equipped with necessary competencies on governance and leadership, to wit:

1. First Level Manager is responsible for the management of a nursing unit and
supervision of nursing support personnel including but not limited to,
Caregiver 1, Caregiver Il, Healthcare Dialysis Technician, Medication
Technician, Orderlies, Orthopedics Technician, Patient Care Technician 1,


1 Patient Care Technician I, Sitter, Surgical Technician, and Ward Clerk/Unit
2 Secretary.

3 2. Middle Level Manager is responsible for the leadership and governance of
4 more than one (1) nursing unit, particularly management of the operational
5 systems, financial and human resources.

6 3. Executive Level is responsible for establishing the strategic direction for the
7 entire nursing division, particularly on the development of policies, standards
8 and guidelines and has full authority in their implementation.

9 Nursing Service Managers shall have the following minimum qualifications:

10 1. Fora first level managerial position in nursing: Must have at least eighteen (18)
"1 units of nursing management and clinical subjects in Master of Arts in Nursing
12 or Master of Science in Nursing, with at least three (3) years of clinical work
13 experience, and must have participated in at least one (1) research project
14 related to the improvement of the quality of care;

15 2. Fora middle level managerial position in nursing: Must have completed all the
16 academic requirements in Master of Arts in Nursing or Master of Science in
7 Nursing, with at least three (3) years of clinical work and two (2) years of
18 management experience, and must have participated in at least one (1) research
19 project related to the improvement of the quality of care;

20 3. For an executive position in nursing: Must have a postgraduate degree in
21 nursing or health management-related sciences, with at least three (3) years of
22 clinical work and three (3) years of management experience and must have
23 conducted at least two (2) research projects related to the improvement of the
24 quality of care in his / her institution.

25

26 ARTICLE IX

ar NURSING HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

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29 SEC. 54. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System. - The

30 Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) shall cover
31 all nursing human resources in the nursing service of both public and private sectors,
32 and the healthcare, industrial and community settings. Institutions shall be
33 mandated to report their information to ensure accurate nursing human resource
34 and workforce projections and to reconcile these with supply data from CHED and
35 PRC.

36 Health facilities and institutions including industries that hire nurses, shall
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thereof, shall adopt and define appropriate nursing organizational structures to
support competency, career development and professional growth, concept of job
delight, productivity and conditions for decent work and job fulfillment of their
nurses.

It shall be mandatory for each healthcare facility to employ an evidence based
human resources for health HRH assessment tool for nursing workload and
workload pressure preferably the World Health Organization Workload Indicators
for Staffing Need (WISN), to determine annually minimum safe staffing needs for
registered nurses and nursing personnel. These Nursing staffing patterns, nursing
plantilla, and skill-mix standards are requisites for safe and quality care for patients
and must be upheld and practiced in order to be granted continued permission to
operate the facility. The facility must use this assessment to plan and provide a
budget for regular and plantilla position to ensure that safe and quality care is
provided by the institution.

Additionally, a registry of nursing professionals shall be incorporated in the
NHRHMS in coordination with DOH, private institutions, and nursing
organizations and groups indicating, among others, their current number of
practitioners and location of practice.

SEC. 55. Nursing Staff Complement, - The Board shall, in consultation with the
DOH and other stakeholders, ensure the provision of a safe nursing workforce for
any healthcare setting and shall be guided by the following principles:

1. Use of evidence-based, reliable, and up-to-date staffing and workforce data;

2. Regular review and updating of staffing based on up-to-date evidence and best
practice on the nurses’ practice environment and nurse, nurse sensitive patient,
organizational and system outcomes;

3. Nurses must not be substituted with other cadres of workers in performing
functions within the scope of nursing;

4. Nurses in management positions must not be assigned to augment staffing
limitations to fully perform their administrative roles and function to lead,
support and mentor nursing staff;

5. Respect for nurses’ professional judgment in determining the required safe
workforce staffing;

6. Active involvement of direct care nursing staff and nursing management in all
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7. Timely adjustments to nurse staffing based on changes in patients and
population healthcare needs; and

8. The nursing workforce complement is planned to ensure that patient safety,
Quality service delivery, and positive practice environment is present as
defined in Sec. 3.

The appropriate number of nurses must be available at all times across the
continuum of care, with a suitable mix of education, skills and experience to ensure
that patient care needs and that the working environment and conditions of support
staff are met. The maximum number of patients cared for by each nurse assigned in a
healthcare facility, setting, or unit shall be determined by the nurse staffing standard
in a general nursing service, or in the case of a general ward of a hospital, shall be
based on patient acuity, complexity of work, nurse competencies, and nursing
modalities to effectuate positive practice environment, safe, and quality nursing care
for patients.

For general units, the maximum number of patients that a nurse may effectively
and safely handle at any given time is ten (10). Thus, the minimum safe staffing
standard for general units is 1:10 or one nurse for every ten patients. However, this
staff-to patient standard may vary based on the assessed Safe Staffing Standard.

Failure to comply with the above minimum safe staffing standard must be
justified through the assessment tool findings and analysis as provided in this section.
Non-compliance shall be referred to the Board for action.

‘A nurse may invoke the mechanism of safe harbor for protection against
employer retaliation, suspension, termination, discipline, discrimination, or licensure
sanction.

The Board shall, in consultation with the DOH and other stakeholders, from
time to time, review and modify the nurse staffing standard as may hereinafter be
established for the healthcare and industrial settings; and for the community, by
taking into consideration the current community characteristics and population
needs.

In the community, there shall be a nurse in every barangay Health Center /
Station; every primary, secondary, and tertiary school; industrial establishment and
other health related facility, subject to the applicable staffing standard prescribed by
the appropriate government agency.

SEC. 56, Return Service Agreement. - All registered nurses who are recipients
of government-funded scholarship programs shall be required to serve in priority
areas in the public sector for at least two (2) years, with compensation and under the


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supervision of a senior registered nurse . Those who will serve for an additional two
(2) years shall be provided with additional incentives as determined by the
government. Graduates of nursing from state universities and colleges and private
HEIs shall be encouraged to serve in priority areas with similar compensation and
incentives.

ARTICLE X
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 57. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited:
1. Individual Acts:

a. Practicing the nursing profession without a certificate of registration,
professional identification card, special temporary permit or without
having declared exempted from taking the licensure examination in
accordance with this Act;

b. Using the certificate of registration, professional identification card, or
special temporary permit of another registered nurse;

c. Using fraudulent, suspicious, or an expired suspended or revoked
certificate of registration, professional identification card, or special
temporary permit;

d. Misrepresenting one’s self or presenting false evidence to obtain a
certificate of registration, professional identification card or special
temporary permit;

e. Falsely advertises one’s self through any means to convey the
impression that one is a nurse;

f, Appending the RN (Registered Nurse), CSPN (Certified Specialty
Practice Nurse), or APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) to
one’s name without having been conferred the said registration or
certification by the PRC; and

g. Abetting or assisting in the illegal practice of the nursing profession
through the following acts and entities.

2. Institutional Acts:

a. An HEI offering the BSN program which shall withhold any
requirement or document, or both, of any graduate for the purpose of
preventing 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
substandard quality of nursing care or nursing practice, such as
noncompliance with the staffing standard requirement;

. 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,

iii.

vi.

Sexual harassment, workplace violence, lack of mental health
promotion service’

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;

Not giving the nurse his/her worked salary in a timely manner;

Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as
provided for under existing laws;

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;

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;

Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse, under
the pretext of On- The-Job Training (OJT), 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;

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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to render the tasks and responsibilities expected of a regular staff
or public health nurse;

ix. 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;

x. 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;

xi. Repeatedly subjecting or allowing the nurse to experience
prejudice, violence, or discrimination;

xii. Imposing mandatory overtime without valid reason or
corresponding compensation, or both, as mandated by law; and

xiii, 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.

SEC. 59. Refund and Compensation. - Any nurse found to have been a victim
under Section 57 B.3 (e) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees illegally
collected and the payment of unpaid salary, if any, which should not be less than the


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applicable wage for services rendered. This is without prejudice to the other liabilities
of the violators under applicable laws.

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 60. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Civil Service Commission
(CSC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), are the designated agencies that
shall be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the compliance of the
provisions of this Act.

The DOH, DILG, and CSC shall be responsible for monitoring the compliance
and implementation of the provisions of this Act by public health facilities and
institutions, The DOH shall be the lead agency to monitor the compliance and
implementation of the provisions of this Act by public health facilities and
institutions.

The DOLE shall be the agency responsible for monitoring the compliance and
implementation of the provisions of this Act by private health facilities and
institutions and industrial establishments. In addition, DOLE must create another
category for health workers befitting the professional and complex work that nurses
and other health professionals that are not captured justly by their being categorized
as "non -agricultural” workers.

The Board and PRC shall be the designated agencies responsible for monitoring
the compliance and implementation of the provisions of this Act by nurses, HEIs,
CPD providers, health facilities and institutions, and industrial establishments.

The CHED shall be the agency responsible for monitoring the compliance and
implementation of the provisions of this Act by HEIs with regard to nursing
education programs and curriculum.

SEC. 61. Funding for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Training.
- The participating government hospitals and institutions shall include in their
budget the annual financial requirement needed to train at least ten percent (10%) of
their nursing staff. Provided, However, that non-government hospitals and
institutions shall support the training requirement or their nursing staff employed by
them. Nothing in this provision shall prevent, diminish, or otherwise revoke existing
company policy more favorable to the employee.


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SEC. 62, Appropriations. - The Chairman of the Professional Regulation
Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Health shall immediately
include in their program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 63. Implementing Rules and Regulations and Code of Ethics. - Within
ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the PRC, the Board; the APO for
nurses, CSC, DBM, DOH and other concerned nursing organizations and
government agencies shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 64. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and
operational.

SEC. 65. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the
‘Philippine Nursing Act of 2002! is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders,
circulars, issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 66. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,