SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

~%
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez a
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__1970
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 5592 by the undersigned Rufus B.
Rodriguez during the 15” Congress where it was approved by the Committee on Civil Service
and Professional Regulation and substituted with House Bill No. 6878. It was subsequently
approved on 2" reading, approved on 3” reading and was transmitted to the Senate where it
was not acted upon

This bill seeks to institute reforms to further protect and develop the nursing profession,
amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) No. 9173, otherwise known as the ‘Philippine
Nursing Act of 2002."

RA 9173 was enacted in 2002 to provide a comprehensive definition and understanding
of the nursing profession. It delineates the scope of work of registered Filipino nurses,
establishes linkages with community resources and requires the updating of professional
knowledge in the nursing field, patient care, levels of nursing practice and development of
nursing education. This is in recognition of the vital role nurses play in the delivery of quality
health services not only in the country, but all over the world.

Since the enactment of RA 9173 almost a decade ago, significant factors critical to the
development of nursing practice in the country have emerged. This includes providing humane
and globally competent nursing care, ensuring positive practice environment for nurses,
strengthening the Philippine nursing profession as a recognized leader in primary health care,
enforcing quality standards in nursing education and practice, and providing guidelines toward
nursing career progression.

RA 9173 must be amended to achieve the vision of the Philippine professional nursing
care to be the best for the Filipino and the choice of the world by 2030. Such amendments
provide restructuring of the scope and practice of nursing to include certification, specialization
and educational requirements, expanding the powers of the Board of Nursing to strengthen its
role in decision-making processes concerning the nursing practice, providing additional


educational requirements for different levels of nursing practice to ensure competitiveness and
further strengthen the nursing profession and provide a better practice environment.

Nursing remains the top career choice among Filipinos. The Commission on Higher
Education reported that the number of nursing students rose from 30,000 in 2000 to 450,000 in
2007. The total number of registered nurses as of 2003 was 332,206 according to data
provided by the Professional Regulation Commission. In addition, demand for Filipino nurses
abroad has risen steadily over the past two decades. Given the statistics, it is but necessary to
institute reforms RA 9173 so that the nurses are accorded further protection and their welfare
enhanced. It must be amended to better respond to the needs of nurses, their patients and the
whole nursing practice.

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

x

RUF#s B. RO! Z

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__1970

AN ACT
INSTITUTING REFORMS TO FURTHER PROTECT AND DEVELOP THE NURSING
PROFESSION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINETY-
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE, 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 |
TITLE

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Nursing Practice
Reform Act of 2013”

ARTICLE II

DECLARATION OF POLICY

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. — Public health safety demands a high level of competency
among Filipino nurses. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to guarantee universal
access to the delivery of basic quality health services through an adequate nursing personnel
system throughout the country. The State recognizes nurses as prime movers of national
development and contributors to international cooperation and understanding, As such, the
State assumes responsibility for the protection, improvement and development of the nursing
profession by instituting measures that will result in relevant and quality nursing practice,
humane working conditions, better career prospects, and a dignified existence for nurses to
ensure high level of wellness and well-being

ARTICLE Ill
SCOPE OF NURSING
The practice of the profession of nursing includes the performance of functions in nursing
service, education, research, leadership and governance.

SEC. 3. Scope of Nursing Service. - A person shall be deemed to be practicing nursing
within the meaning of this Act when singly or in collaboration with another, the person initiates
and performs nursing care to individuals, families, population groups and communities in any
health care setting. It includes, but not limited to, nursing care during conception, labor, delivery,
infancy, childhood, toddler, preschool, school age, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Nurses
are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and prevention of illness. As members of
the health team, 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, towards a peaceful death. In performing
independent and collaborative functions singly or jointly, it shall be the duty of the nurse to:

(a) Provide nursing care through the utilization of the nursing process. Basic nursing care
includes, but not limited to, traditional and innovative approaches, therapeutic use of self,
executing health care techniques and procedures, essential primary health care, comfort
measures, health teachings, and administration of written prescription for treatment, therapies,
oral, topical and parenteral medications, internal examination during labor in the absence of
antenatal bleeding, attending to normal delivery and suturing of perineal laceration;

(b) Provide advanced nursing care through specialized and expanded roles within the
protocol of advanced nursing practice. Certification by an accredited certification body is
required;

(c) Collaborate with community resources and coordinate with the members of the health
team in any health care setting;

(d) Provide health education to empower individuals, families, population groups and
communities to maintain, attain, restore and sustain optimal health and quality of life;

(e) Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education programs including the
administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals and clinics; undertake
consultation services; engage in such activities that require the utilization of knowledge and
decision-making skills of a registered nurse; and

(f) Undertake nursing and health human resource development training and research,
which shall include, but not limited to, the development of advanced practice nursing,

This section shall not apply to nursing students who perform nursing functions under the
direct supervision of a qualified faculty;

In the practice of nursing in all settings, the nurse is mandated to observe the Code of
Ethics for Nurses and uphold the standards of safe and quality nursing practice. The nurse is
required to maintain competence by continual professional development as prescribed by the
Board of Nursing: Provided, That the program and activity for the continual professional
development shall be submitted to and approved by the Board

Nursing services include, but are not limited to, nursing care provided to individual, family
or group in any health care setting such as hospitals, public health institutions or communities,
clinics and others by a registered nurse. The nurse shall possess the core competencies
prescribed by the Board of Nursing. Nursing service includes the provision of specialized,
expanded and advanced practice services as well as nursing management.

(a) Beginning Registered Nurse. - Beginning registered nurse provides for safe and
quality care to an individual, family or group that is independent or provided as part of a team by
nurse or a group of nurses who will be able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care
provided to clients based on evidence derived from research.

A beginning registered nurse must have the following minimum qualifications:

(1) Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate;

(2) Registered nurse with current certificate of registration;

(3) Must be physically, mentally and psychologically fit to practice nursing;

(4) Must not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and

(6) Must be a member of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO).

(b) Advanced Practice Nurse. - Advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse who has
acquired expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for
expanded practice based on evidence derived from research. Advanced practice of nursing
requires substantial theoretical knowledge in the specialty area of nursing practice and proficient
clinical utilization of this knowledge in implementing independent and interdependent nursing
interventions. Specialties can be differentiated in different categories: according to functions,
disease/pathology, systems, age, sex, acuity, settings, technology/therapies. This practice
includes the acquisition of new knowledge and skills that legitimize role autonomy within specific


areas of practice. A master’s degree is required for entry level. This includes but is not limited
to those who are in education, management and clinical practice.

An advanced practice nurse must have the following minimum qualifications in addition to
the requirements of a beginning registered nurse:

(1) Relevant master’s degree graduate from a recognized _ university-based program:

(2) Must be certified based on protocol as approved by the Board of Nursing and
recommended by the specialty certification council;

(3) Must be a member of the APO and the corresponding specialty organization; and

(4) Must have at least three (3) years of experience and demonstrate requisite
competencies.

(c) Nursing Service Manager. — Nursing service manager is a practitioner occupying
supervisory or managerial positions requiring leadership and knowledge of nursing
management

(1) The first level manager is responsible directly for the physical setup of the unit,
structure and other human resources for health.

(2) The middle level manager is responsible for the department or section handling more
than one (1) or two (2) units, takes care of the financial, logistic, operational functions and
others.

(3) The top level manager oversees all nursing units in terms of the financial and human
resources for health such as the nurses and nursing assistants/adjuncts.

A nursing service manager must have the following minimum qualifications in addition to
the requirements of a beginning registered nurse:

(i) For first level managerial position in nursing, eighteen (18) units of nursing
management and clinical subjects in Master of Arts in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing and
at least three (3) years of clinical work experience.

(li) For middle level managerial position in nursing, completed all academic requirements
in Master of Arts in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing and at least three (3) years of clinical
work and two (2) years of management experience.

(iii) For top level managerial position in nursing, a post-graduate degree in nursing or
health management-related sciences and at least three (3) years of clinical work and three (3)
years of management experience.

(iv) Must be a member of good standing of the APO and relevant nursing organizations.

The above qualifications shall apply to all nurses occupying supervisory or managerial
positions across all health facilities such as, but not limited to primary or military health facilities,
for top level managerial position of first and second levels, as well as medical centers
nationwide.

() Nurse-patient Ratio. - The government and private hospitals are hereby mandated to
maintain the standard nurse-patient ratio set by the Department of Health (DOH):

(1) In hospitals based on acuity and authorized bed capacity (ABC)

(2) In the community based on need, population and geography

(3) In occupational or school settings based on relevant legal instruments (AO, EO, RA)

(e) Prohibition on the acceptance of volunteer nurses. — All medical institutions both
government and private are hereby prohibited from accepting volunteer nurses.

SEC. 4. Scope of Nursing Education. — Nursing education is the formal learning and
training in the science and art of nursing provided by Higher Education Institutions duly
accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

(a) __ Basic Nursing Education Program. - The basic nursing education program is a
competency-based curriculum which will provide sound liberal and professional education to
implement the necessary safe quality nursing practice.


Admission to the baccalaureate nursing program shall require passing a National Nursing
‘Admission Test (NNAT)

A registered nurse may move up to the next levels of career progression and tracks
according to demonstrated competencies, education and clinical experience.

The curriculum and the related learning experiences shall adhere strictly to specific
requirements according to the policies, standards and guidelines of the CHED in consultation
with the Board of Nursing and the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing

(b) Graduate Nursing Education Program. — The graduate nursing education program
builds on the experiences and skills of a registered nurse towards mastery, expertise and
leadership in practice, research and education. It includes a master's degree and doctorate
degree in nursing founded on the philosophical, scientific body of knowledge and practice.

Graduate and post-graduate nursing programs shall be offered only in schools with level
three (3) accredited basic nursing programs as promulgated by the CHED policies and
standards on graduate education

© Qualifications of Faculty Members. —
(1) Basic Nursing Education. — A member of the faculty in a College of Nursing teaching
professional courses must:

0) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a valid certificate
of registration and a valid professional identification card;

(ji) Have at least three (3) years of clinical practice in a field of specialization;

(ii) Be a member of good standing in the accredited professional organization of
nurses;

(iv) Be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, education, or other allied medical
and health sciences conferred by a college of university duly recognized by the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines;

(v) Present a certificate of teacher training program for nursing education prior to
employment; and

(vi) Present a certificate of clinical skills competency enhancement from an
acoredited nursing organization;

(2) Graduate Nursing Education. - A member of the faculty teaching graduate
professional courses must:

()) Follow prescriptions 1 and 2 of basic nursing education; and

(ii) Be a holder of a doctoral degree in nursing, education, or other allied health
sciences conferred by a college of university duly recognized by the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines.

(d) Qualifications of the Dean. — The dean of a college of nursing must:

(1) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a valid certificate of registration
and a valid professional identification card;

(2) Have at least three (3) years of clinical practice in a field of specialization;

(3) Have at least three (3) years of nursing education program management experience or
three (3) years of management in any health-related institution;

(4) Be a holder of a master's degree in nursing for baccalaureate program and preferably
a doctoral degree in nursing for masters and doctoral program conferred by a duly recognized
higher education institution by CHED.

(6) Undergo progressive training for deans according to the protocol approved the Board
of Nursing in consultation with the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing.


(e) Faculty-student ratio. — The ratio of faculty to student is based on the CHED
Memorandum Order (CMO), policies and standards for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
program.

ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF NURSING
SEC. 5. Creation and Composition of the Board. ~ There shall be created a Professional
Regulatory Board of Nursing, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of a
chairperson and six (6) members. They shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of
the Philippines from among three (3) recommendees, per vacancy, of the Professional
Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, chosen and ranked from a
list of five (5) nominees, per vacancy, of the accredited professional organization of nurses in
the Philippines who possess the qualifications prescribed in Section 5 of this Act.

SEC.6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The Chairperson
and Members of the Board shall, at the time of their appointment, possess the following
qualifications

(a) Be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines for the last five (5) years;

(b) Be a member of good standing of the accredited professional organization of nurses;

(c) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines, and a holder of a current valid certificate of
registration;

(d) Be a holder of a post-graduate degree in nursing and preferably with a doctorate
degree conferred by an accredited university;

(e) Have at least ten (10) years of continuous practice of the nursing profession prior to
appointment: Provided, however, That the last five (5) years of which shall be in the Philippines;
and

(f) Must be of proven honesty and integrity.

The membership to the Board shall represent the three (3) areas of nursing, namely:
nursing education, nursing service and community health nursing.

SEC.7. Requirements Upon Qualification as Member of the Board of Nursing. - Any
person appointed as Chairperson or Member of the Board shall immediately resign from any
position in any school, college, university or institution offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing
and/or review program for the local nursing board examinations or training hospitals or health
facilities with nursing affiliates and shall not have any pecuniary interest in or administrative
supervision over any institution offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing including review classes.

SEC.8. Term of Office. - The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall hold office for
a term of three (3) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified:
Provided, That the Chairperson and members of the Board may be re-appointed for another
term

Any vacancy in the Board occurring within the term of a Member shall be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term only. Each Member of the Board shall take the proper oath of
office prior to the performance of duties.

The incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Board shall continue to serve for the
remainder of their term under Republic Act No. 9173 or the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” until
their replacements have been appointed by the President and shall have been duly qualified.

SEC.9. Compensation of the Board Members. — The Chairperson and Members of the
Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and
allowances received by the Chairperson and members of other professional regulatory boards.


SEC.10. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and
Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the
Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for examinations, administrative
and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall be under the custody of the
Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the
secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act

SEC. 11. _ 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:

(a) Ensure the proper conduct of the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE)
considering the process and systems of the Commission, which include, but not limited to,
application, test development, examination, correction and release of results. The use of
appropriate technology/modalities during the conduct of the PNLE is encouraged to enhance
efficiency while upholding integrity;

(b) Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration for the practice of nursing
and ensure the widest publication through electronic and written media;

(©) Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of 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 optimal health and the
common good of the nation;

(d) Ensure quality nursing education by examining and monitoring Higher Education
Institutions (HE!) offering nursing programs and those seeking permission to open nursing
courses to ensure that standards of nursing education are properly complied with and
maintained at all times. The authority to open and close nursing education programs offered by
HEI, shall be vested on the Commission on Higher Education, only upon the written
recommendation of the Board;

(e) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against active practicing
nurses for unethical and unprofessional conduct and violations of this Act, or its rules and
regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad estificandum and subpoena duces
tecum to secure the appearance of respondents and witnesses and the production of
documents and punish with contempt persons obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering
with the conduct of such proceedings, upon application with the court;

(f) Promulgate a Code of Ethics that is responsive to the needs of the nursing profession,
in coordination and consultation with the accredited professional organization of nurses within
‘one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act;

(g) Institute a mechanism for career progression in nursing for the continuing professional
development of Filipino nurses;

(h) Create a council for nursing recognition, accreditation and certification that will assist
the Board of Nursing in:

(1) Recognizing organized nursing groups;

(2) Setting standards for advanced nursing practice, education, research and
management;

(3) Accrediting specialty and advanced nursing programs based on
established mechanisms;

(4) Credentialing individual registered nurses based on accepted criteria;

(5) Monitoring and evaluating specialty and advanced nursing practice,

education, research and management

(i) Make decisions to influence authorities/agencies on matters that directly affect nurses’
welfare;

() Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions with the provision of operational

resources including human resource, physical space and budget to ensure the confidentiality


and sanetity of their functions as provided through the annual budget of the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) as promulgated in the General Appropriations Act;

(k) Utilize funds designated for nursing development: and

(I) Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and
decisions as may be necessary for the improvement of the nursing practice, advancement of the
profession and for the proper and full enforcement of this Act subject to the review and approval
by the Commission.

SEC.12. Annual Report. — The Board shall at the close of its calendar year submit an
annual report to the President of the Philippines through the Commission giving a detailed
account of its proceedings and the accomplishments during the year and making
Tecommendations for the adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions
affecting the practice of the nursing profession.

SEC. 13. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. - The President may remove or
suspend any member of the Board after, due process, on the following grounds:

(a) Continued neglect of duty or incompetence;

(b) Commission or toleration of irregularities in the licensure examination; and

(c) Unprofessional immoral or dishonorable conduct

ARTICLE V
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
SEC. 14. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination. - All applicants for certificate of

registration to practice nursing shall be required to pass a written examination, which shall be
given by the Board in such places and dates as may be designated by the Commission:
Provided, That it shall be in accordance with existing PRC Law.

SEC. 15. Qualifications for Admission to the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination. - In
order to be admitted to the examination for nurses, an applicant, from the time of graduation
must file immediately an application and establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the
applicant is:

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

(b) of good moral character; and

(c) a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a college or university that
complies with the standards of nursing education duly recognized by the proper government
agency.

SEC. 16. Scope of Examination. — The scope of the examination for the practice of nursing
shall be determined by the Board of Nursing taking into consideration the core competencies
required of beginning registered nurses considering the objectives of the nursing curriculum in
response to the needs of the society and the demands of industry.

The Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination shall be on a competency-based test
framework.

SEC. 17. Ratings. - In order to pass the examination, an examinee must obtain at least
seventy-five percent (75%) of tested areas of competencies. An examinee shall be given a
chance to repeat the PNLE with a maximum of three (3) examinations.


SEC. 18. Oath. - All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to take
an oath of profession before the Board or any government official authorized to administer oaths
prior to entering upon the nursing practice.

SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/Professional License and Professional
Identification Card. — A certificate of registration/professional license as a nurse shall be issued
to an applicant who passes the examination and upon payment of the prescribed fees. Every
certificate of registration/professional license shall show the full name of the registrant, the serial
number, the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and of the Members of the Board
The certificate shall bear the logo of the Board of Nursing and the official seal of the
Commission.

A professional identification card, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission,
bearing the date of registration, number and the date of issuance and expiration thereof shall
likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of the required fees.

SEC. 20. Fees for Examination and Registration. - Applicants for licensure and for
registration shall pay the prescribed fees set by Commission

SEC. 21. Automatic Registration of Nurses. — All nurses whose names appear at the roster
of nurses shall ipso facto be registered as nurses and as members of the PRC-APO upon the
effectivity of this Act

SEC. 22. __ Registration by Reciprocity. — A certificate of registration/professional license may
be issued without examination to nurses registered under the laws of a foreign state or country:
Provided, That the requirements for registration or licensing of nurses in said country are
substantially the same as those prescribed under this Act: Provided, further, That the laws of
such state or country grant the same privileges to registered nurses of the Philippines on the
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country.

SEC. 23. Practice Through Special/Temporary Permit. — A special/temporary permit may be
issued to the following persons based on qualification standards as determined by the Board of
Nursing and approved by the Commission. The special/temporary permit shall be effective only
for the duration of the project, medical mission or engagement contract:

(a) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states whose service are either for a fee or free
if they are internationally well-known specialists or outstanding experts in any branch or
specialty of nursing;

(b) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states on medical mission whose services shall
be free in a particular hospital, center or clinic;

(©) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states engaged by colleges/universities
offering nursing as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; and

(d) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states who come to aid during declared
disasters and calamities.

SEC. 24. _ Non-registration and Non-issuance of Certificates of Registration/Professional
License or Special/Temporary Permit. ~ No person convicted by final judgment of any criminal
offense involving moral turpitude or any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or any
person declared by the court to be of unsound mind shall be registered and be issued a
certificate of registration/professional license or a special/temporary permit.

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


SEC. 25. _ Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration/Professional License
and Cancellation of Special/Temporary Permit. — The Board shall have the power to revoke or
suspend the certificate of registration/professional license or cancel the special/temporary
permit of a nurse upon any of the following grounds:

(a) For any of the causes mentioned in the preceding section;

(b) For unprofessional and unethical conduct;

(c) For gross incompetence or serious ignorance;

(d) For malpractice or negligence in the practice of nursing;

(e) For the use of fraud, deceit, or false statements in obtaining a certificate of
registration/professional license or a temporary/special permit;

(f) For violation of this Act, the rules and regulations, Code of Ethics for nurses and
technical standards for nursing practice, policies of the Board and the Commission, or the
conditions and limitations for the issuance of the temporarily/special permit; or

(g) For practicing the profession during one’s suspension from such practice.

The suspension of the certificate of registration/professional license shall be for a period
not to exceed four (4) years.

SEC. 26. _Re-issuance of Revoked Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificates. —
The Board may, after the expiration of a maximum of four (4) years from the date of revocation
of a certificate, for reasons of equity and justice and when the cause for revocation has
disappeared or has been cured and corrected, upon proper application therefor and the
payment of the required fees, issue another copy of the certificate of registration/professional
license

Anew certificate of registration/professional license to replace the certificate that has been
lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued, subject to the rules of the Board.

ARTICLE VI
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH (HRH)
PRODUCTION, UTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 27. Studies and Interventions for Nursing Human Resource Needs, Production,
Utilization and Development. - The Board shall in coordination with relevant nursing and other
government and nongovernment agencies:

(a) conduct studies on health human resource production, utilization and development;
and

(b) implement HRH development strategies for nurses to attain a highly motivated and
productive nursing workforce
SEC. 28. National Nursing Career Progression Program. - There shall be an
institutionalized national nursing career progression program as prescribed in Article IV, Sec.
14, (g) and (h). In the implementation of the national nursing career progression program, the
Board shall coordinate with the Department of Health and other relevant government and
private agencies: Provided, That any registered nurse, before being allowed to work in specialty
areas to perform beyond generalist function or have specific specialties, must finish the formal
education and training towards specialization, possess recognized advanced practice
competencies and must be certified by the Board to be an advanced practice nurse and must be
a member of a relevant and accredited nursing specialty organization: Provided, further, That
nursing specialty organizations with advanced practice shall be recognized and certified by the
Board.
SEC. 29. _ Compensation. — In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service
and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working in the public and
private health and health-related institutions shall be in accordance with prevailing salary
standards set by law for professionals.


SEC. 30. Incentives and Benefits. — To the extent possible as provided by law, mechanism
shall be established by the Board of Nursing to provide incentives and benefits for nurses in
both government and private sectors.

SEC. 31. Requirement for inactive nurses returning to practice. — Nurses are deemed to
be inactive when:

(a) They are not utilizing nursing competencies as defined in the scope of nursing practice
for five (5) consecutive years.

(b) There is nonrenewal of certificate of registration for five (5) years.

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

Inactive nurses are required to undergo one (1) month of didactic training and three (3)
months of practicum. Only the Board shall accredit hospitals and health care agencies to
conduct the said training program.

ARTICLE VII
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 32. Prohibited Acts in the Practice of Nursing. — A fine of not less than One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) or
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years, or both, upon the
discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon the following classification of offenses:

(2) Violations against the code of ethics and public morals;

(b) Violations against professional standards;

(c) Violations against human/patient's rights; and

(d) Other offenses.

ARTICLE VIII

FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 33. Enforcement of this Act. — It shall be the primary duty of the Commission and the
Board to effectively implement this Act. Law enforcement agencies and officers of national,
provincial, city or municipal governments shall, upon the call or request of the Commission or
the Board, render assistance in enforcing the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any
persons violating the same.
SEC. 34. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the PRC shall immediately include in its
program and issue such rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 35. — Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Board and the Commission, in coordination with the accredited
professional organization and other nursing, professional organizations, the DOH, the
Department of Budget and Management and other concerned government agencies, shall
formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this,
Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or
newspaper of general circulation.
SEC. 36.  Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the
remaining parts not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and operational.
SEC. 37. 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 the amendatory provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 38. — Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,