Lo sePRES
ESE
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

1 5592
House Bill No, 5°92
EXPLANATORY NOTE
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

RECEIVED “@



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.

‘

RUFUS B. wih

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

House BillNo. 5592

AN ACT
INSTITUTING REFORMS TO FURTHER PROTECT AND DEVELOP THE NURSING
PROFESSION, AMENDING 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.

Section 1. Republic Act 9173 is hereby amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE I
Title
Section 1 Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the
“Philippine Nursing Practice Reform Act of 2011”.

ARTICLE Il
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 Practice
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 he/she singly or in collaboration with another,
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
and 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.

¢. 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:

Provided, That this section shall not apply to nursing
students who perform nursing functions under the direct
supervision of a qualified faculty; Provided, further, That 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, finally, 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 a 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 PRC ID
3) Must be physically, mentally and psychologically fit
to practice nursing
4) Must not be convicted of any moral turpitude
5) 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 (ICN, 2002) 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 (ICN, 1992 and Hamric,
2002). 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 the Board of
Nursing protocol

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

(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
with the physical set-up 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 that all nursing
units in terms of the financial, human resources
for health (not just of the nurses but including
the nursing assistants/adjuncts) and others.

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


a) 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.

b) 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
and two (2) years of management experience.

©) For top level managerial position in nursing,
master's degree in nursing or health
management-related sciences and at least
three (3) years of clinical and three (3) years
of management experience.

d)Must be a member of good standing of the
accredited professional organization and
relevant nursing organizations.

Provided that 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.

(D) Nurse-patient Ratio. - The government and private
hospitals are hereby mandated to maintain the standard
nurse-patient ratio set by the department of health:
«In hospitals based on acuity and authorized
bed capacity (ABC)
* In community based on need, population and
geography
* In occupational or school settings based on
relevant legal instruments (AO, EO, RA)

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 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 (NAT).

The curriculum and the related learning experiences
shall adhere strictly to specific requirements embodied as
promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education's
policies and standards of nursing education.

(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 by level three (3) accredited higher education
institutions as promulgated by the CHED policies and
standards on graduate education.

(C) Qualifications of Faculty Members.
1. Basic Nursing Education. A member of the faculty in a
college of nursing teaching professional courses must:

a. Be a registered nurse in the Philippines and a

holder of a current valid PRC ID;
b. Have at least three (3) years of clinical practice in
a field of specialization;

c. Be a member of good standing in the accredited

professional organization of nurses;

d. 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.

Must undergo teacher training program for nursing

education prior to employment

f. Must undergo an accredited clinical skills
competency enhancement every two (2) years, as
prescribed and accredited by the
CPE/development council for nursing.

©

2. Graduate Nursing Education. A member of the faculty
teaching graduate professional courses must:
a. Follow prescriptions 1 and 2 of basic nursing
education; and
b.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.

Provided, further, that Higher Education
Institutions offering both basic and graduate nursing
education programs shall be given three (3) years
within which to comply with qualification
requirements of faculty members from the effectivity
of this Act.

(0) Qualifications of the Dean. - The dean of a college of
nursing must:

1) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines and a holder of
current valid PRC ID:

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 masters degree in nursing for
baccalaureate program and preferably a doctoral degree in
nursing for doctoral program conferred by an accredited
college or university in the Philippines or its equivalent,

5) Must undergo progressive training for deans according to
program prescribed by the Board.

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 two (2) recommendees, per vacancy, of the
Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to
as the Commission, chosen and ranked from a list of three
(3) nominees, per vacancy, of the accredited professional
organization of nurses in the Philippines who possess the
qualifications prescribed in Sec. 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 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;

()Be a registered nurse in the Philippines, and a holder of a
current valid PRC ID;

(d) Be a holder of a master’s 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; Provided, That 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
teaching 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
in any office or employment in the goverment or any
subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including
government-owned or controlled corporations or their
subsidiaries as well as these employed in the private sector.
He/she 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 his/her duties.

The incumbent Chairperson and Members of the
Board shall continue to serve for the remainder of their term
under Republic Act No. 9173 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


b}

°)

d

e)

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:
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;

Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration
for the practice of nursing and ensure 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;

Ensure quality nursing education by examining and
monitoring Higher Education Institutions (HEl) 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;

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 testificandum 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;

Institute a mechanism for career progression in nursing for

the continuing professional development of Filipino nurses;

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:

Accrediting specialty and advanced nursing

programs based on established mechanisms;

4) Credentialing individual registered nurses based

on accepted criteria;

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;

j) 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 sanctity of their functions as provided
through the annual budget of the Professional Regulation
Commission as promulgated in the General Appropriations
Act;

k) Utilize funds designated for nursing development; and

|) 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.

9g)
h)

3)

5)

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 recommendations 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 having been given the opportunity to defend
himself/herself in a proper administrative investigation, 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 license 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 his/her
graduation must file immediately his/her application and
establish to the satisfaction of the Board that:
a) Helshe is 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) He/she is of good moral character; and
c) He/she is 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
based 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 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, license 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
Accredited Professional Organization (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
specialitemporary permit may be issued to the following
persons based on qualification standards as determined by
the Board of Nursing and approved by the Commission:

(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;

(c) 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.

Provided, however, that the special/temporary permit
shall be effective only for the duration of the project, medical
mission or engagement contract.

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 his/her profession during his/her
suspension from such practice;

Provided, however, That 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 therefore
and the payment of the required fees, issue another copy of
the certificate of registration/professional license.

A new 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


a

b)

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 non-government agencies:

conduct studies on health human resource production,
utilization and development.

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. 11,
letter g & 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
fecognized 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 and shall not be lower than salary grade 15
following the provisions of the salary standardization law.
Provided, further, that advanced practice nurses in public
and private health and health-related institutions shall be
entitled to additional remuneration. Government and non-
government financial institutions shall provide mechanism for
reimbursements for specialty and advanced practice nursing
services based on qualifications prescribed by the Board
adhering to the national nursing career progression program.
In addition, nursing professional fees may be exacted
directly from the clientele and patients in the context of the

beginning registered nurses and/or advanced practice
nurses.


Sec. 30. Funding for the development of the national nursing
career progression program and training. - The annual
financial requirement needed to implement the national
nursing career progression program in the training of
government and private nurses for continual life-long
learning shall be sourced from:

A. Ten percent (10%) of the annual budget of the
Department of Health as specified under the
annual General Appropriations Act; and

B. Ten percent (10%) of the income of the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the
Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation
which shall be released to the Department of
Health subject to accounting and auditing
procedures: Provided, That the Department of
Health shall set the criteria for the availment of
this program; and

C. Twenty percent (20%) of the Professional
Regulation Commission's income from the
regulation of the nursing profession.

Sec. 31. 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. 32. Requirement for inactive nurses retuming to
practice. — Nurses are deemed to be inactive when:
1) They are not utilizing nursing competencies as
defined in the scope of nursing practice for five
(5) consecutive years.
2) There is non-renewal of PRC ID for five (5)
years.
3) 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. 33. Prohibitions 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:
1) Violations against code of ethics and public
morals
2) Violations against professional standards
3) Violations against human/patient's rights
4) Other offenses

ARTICLE VIII
Final Provisions

Sec. 34. Enforcement of this Act. -It shall be the primary duty
of the Commission and the Board to effectively implement
this Act. Any duly 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. 35. Appropriations. -The Chairperson of the
Professional Regulation Commission 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. 36. Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90)
after the effectivity of this Act, the Board and the
Commission, in coordination with the accredited professional
organization and other nursing professional organizations,
the Department of Health, the Department of Budget and
Management and other concerned government agencies,
shall formulate 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. 37. Reparability Clause. -If any part of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected
thereby shall continue to be valid and operational.

Sec. 38. Repealing Clause. Republic Act No. 9173,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002" is
hereby amended. 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. 39. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

SEC 2. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SEC 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instruction,
executive orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,