Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7344

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVES FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ, YEDDA MARIE K.
ROMUALDEZ, JUAN MIGUEL ARROYO, ALETA C. SUAREZ, MARILOU ARROYO,
YASSER BALINDONG, LEONARDO L. BABASA JR., FREDENIL H. CASTRO, GERRYBOY
J. ESPINA JR., ROGER MERCADO, WILTER WEE PALMA, PAZ RADAZA, GERALDINE
B. ROMAN, HECTOR SANCHEZ, CHRISTIAN UNABIA, PROSPERO A. PICHAY, SONNY L.
LAGON, SERGIO C. DAGOOC, ADRIANO A. EBCAS ANNA VILLARAZA-SUAREZ,
MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR, ROMEO S. MOMO SR. JOSE GAY G. PADIERNOS, PRESLEY C.
DE JESUS, GODOFREDO N. GUYA, JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES JR., RODANTE D.
MARCOLETA, ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is known as the top exporter of nurses in the world. Filipino
nurses are world-renowned for their skill, inherent compassion, and eagerness to
provide care for their fellow people. The success of our nurses has brought recognition
of our skill and qualities as a nation. Further, there has never been any doubt as

regards the contribution Filipino nurses have made for the benefit of our economy.

It must be noted, however, that despite the perception of having a burgeoning
and successful local nursing industry, there are aspects of the profession which remain

to have great room for improvement. Nursing education is one such area

The education programs employed by our local nursing educational institutions,
at times, appear to be too short-sighted and focused on churning out batches of

graduates for immediate forays abroad in search of opportunities. Too much emphasis

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has been placed in producing nursing degree-holders, that the opportunity to further
‘educate our nurses in advanced programs has been overlooked

Advanced nursing education programs have the capacity to further catapult our
nurses to realize greater opportunities through the opening up of leadership roles,
specialization in specific practice areas, and recognition in the fields of research and
advanced nursing education. Given the immense number of nursing degree holders
produced in this country, the development of advanced nursing programs shall benefit
not only our nurses, but also the educational institutions who shall cater to a potentially

large demand for advanced nursing education

By introducing a new dimension to the local nursing education program and
opening a whole new aspect of nursing education not previously tapped, we can
elevate our status further to be recognized as a producer of leaders, experts, and

authorities in the field of nursing.

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

LITLE... Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez

Leyte, 1st District TINGOG Pé#ftylist
rezyge >. LE
ep. Juan Miguel Arroyo Rép. Aleta C. Sdarez

Pampanga, 2nd District Quezon, 3rd District


Ue. bode F- Lowy
Rep. Marilou Arroy

Negros Occidental, 5th District

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Rep. Li irdo L. Babasa Jr.

Zamboanga del Sur, 2nd District

Rep. GerryBoy J. Espina Jr.
Biliran, Loné District

alrn

ep. Wilter Wee Palma
Zamboanga Sibugay, 1st District

Aovahbag Bhorwe
ep. Geraldine B. Roman

Bataan, 1st District

Misamis Oriental, 1st District

Rep. Lagon
AKO BISAYA Partylist

Rep. Yasser Balindon:
Lanao del Sur, 2nd District

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Rep. Fredenil H. Castro
Capiz, 2nd District

Rep. Roger Mercado
Southern Leyte, 1st District

Rep/paz Raqaza
Lapu-Lapu City, Lone District

Rep. Hector Sanchez
Catanduanes, Lone District

Rep. Prosp9fo A. Pichay
Surigao d61Sur, 1st District

Rep. Ser - Dagooc
APEC Partylist


ley ‘A. Ebcas

AKO PADAYON PILIPINO Partylist

Rep. Michel T. Defensor

ANAKALUSUGAN Partylist

Rep. Jose Gay G. pas

GP Partylist

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Rep‘ Godofredo N. Guya
RECOBODA Partylist

Rep. oleta
SAGIP Partylist

Au Ria Fi a
Rep. Anna Villar: Gere

ALONA Partylist

Rép. é Ss. =, Sr.

CWS Partylist

Rep. Presley C. De Jesus
PHILRECA Partylist

Rep. Jose “Bong” J. Teves ur.
TGP Partylist

Rep. Pag Delos Santos

ANG PROBINSYANO Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 7344

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVES FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ, YEDDA MARIE K.
ROMUALDEZ, JUAN MIGUEL ARROYO, ALETA C. SUAREZ, MARILOU ARROYO,
YASSER BALINDONG, LEONARDO L. BABASA JR., FREDENILH. CASTRO, GERRYBOY
J. ESPINA JR., ROGER MERCADO, WILTER WEE PALMA, PAZ RADAZA, GERALDINE
B. ROMAN, HECTOR SANCHEZ, CHRISTIAN UNABIA, PROSPERO A. PICHAY, SONNY L.
LAGON, SERGIO C. DAGOOC, ADRIANO A. EBCAS ANNA VILLARAZA-SUAREZ,
MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR, ROMEO S. MOMO SR. JOSE GAY G. PADIERNOS, PRESLEY C.
DE JESUS, GODOFREDO N. GUYA, JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES JR., RODANTE D.
MARCOLETA, ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS.

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 9173 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002, PROVIDING FOR AN
ADVANCED NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Advanced Nursing
Education Act of 2019"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 4
assume responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession 5 by
instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education, humane working 6
conditions, better career prospects and a dignified existence for our nurses.


Sec. 3. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the Philippine
Nursing Act of 2002 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 25. [Nursing Education Program—The nursing edi program shall

d-standards-ef nursing edi NURSING EDUCATION. NURSING
EDUCATION SHALL REFER TO THE FORMAL LEARNING AND TRAINING IN
THE SCIENCE AND ART NURSING PROVIDED BY HIGHER EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS DULY RECOGNIZED AND ACCREDITED BY THE CHED.
THERE SHALL BE STANDARD BASIC AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR
NURSING EDUCATION WHICH SHALL BE 6ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7722, 7 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CHED LAW".

Sec. 4. A new Section is hereby inserted after Section 25 of RA 9173, to read as

follows:

"SECTION 26. BASIC AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR NURSING

EDUCATION. - THERE SHALL BE A BASIC PROGRAM FOR NURSING

EDUCATION WHICH SHALL PROVIDESOUND LIBERALAND PROFESSIONAL
EDUCATION, AND SHALL EQUIP BASIC NURSING STUDENTS WITH THE
NECESSARY COMPETENCIES FOR ENTRY-LEVEL SAFE AND QUALITY
NURSING PRACTICE. THE CURRICULUM AND RELATED LEARNING
EXPERIENCES SHOULD INCLUDE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND
IMMERSION TO ENCOURAGE MORE GRADUATES TO WORK IN A COMMUNITY
SETTING. ADMISSION TO THE BASIC PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION
SHALL REQUIRE PASSING ANATIONAL NURSING ADMISSION TEST (NNAT).
THE CURRICULUM AND THE RELATED LEARNING EXPERIENCES MUST BE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL NURSING CORE COMPETENCY
STANDARDS TO PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD AND IMPLEMENTED

6


THROUGH THE POLICIES, STANDARDS, AND GUIDELINES OF THE CHED.

THERE SHALL ALSO BE A GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR NURSING
EDUCATION WHICH SHALL BE A POST BACCALAUREATE NURSING
PROGRAM, WHICH BUILDS ON THE EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS OF A
NURSE TOWARDS MASTERY, EXPERTISE, AND LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE,
RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION. SUCH PROGRAMS WILLDEVELOP HIGHLY
SPECIALIZED SKILLS NEEDED FOR NURSING PRACTICE IN THE VARIOUS
FIELDS OF ADVANCED NURSING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO H
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING, AMBULATORY CARE NURSING, CRITICAL
CARE NURSING, PALLIATIVE CARE NURSING, REHABILITATION NURSING,
AND OTHER SPECIALIZED FIELDS OF ADVANCED NURSING. IT SHALL
INCLUDE A MASTER'S DEGREE AND DOCTORATE DEGREE IN NURSING
FOUNDED ON THE PHILOSOPHIES, AND THE SCIENTIFIC BODY OF
KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE. GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR NURSING
EDUCATION SHALL BE OFFERED ONLY IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS AS PRESCRIBED BY THE PREVAILING CHED POLICIES,
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION.

THE FACULTY-TO-STUDENT RATIO MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE STANDARD TO BE DETERMINED AND PRESCRIBED BY THE CHED.”

Sec. 5. Section 26 of RA 9173 is hereby renumbered to Section 27.
Sec. 6. Section 27 of RA 9173 is hereby renumbered and amended, to read as

follows:
“Section 2[7]8. Qualifications of the Faculty. — fA-nember-et-the-facultyin-a-
. :



1) BASIC PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION. MEMBER OF THE
FACULTY IN A COLLEGE OF NURSING TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
COURSES:

A. MUST BE A REGISTERED NURSE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND
HOLDER OF A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND A
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED BY
THE COMMISSION;

B. MUST HAVE AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS OF NURSING
PRACTICE;

C. MUST BE A HOLDER OF A MASTER'S DEGREE IN NURSING,
CONFERRED BY A UNIVERSITY DULY RECOGNIZED BY THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; AND

D. MUST HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING
PROFICIENCY, OR ITS EQUIVALENT, TO BE ISSUED BY THE
BOARD OF NURSING.

GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION. - A MEMBER OF

THE FACULTY TEACHING GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL COURSES:

A. MUST FOLLOW PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) ABOVE ON BASIC
NURSING EDUCATION; AND

B. MUST BE A HOLDER OF A DOCTORAL DEGREE IN NURSING
CONFERRED BY A UNIVERSITY DULY RECOGNIZED BY THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.”

2)

Sec. 7. Section 28 of RA 9173 is hereby renumbered as Section 29, and all

8


succeeding sections of the same Act are hereby renumbered accordingly.

Sec. 8. Implementing Guidelines. — Within thirty (30) days atter the effectivity of
this Act, the Board and the Professional Regulatory Commission, in coordination with
the Commission on Higher Education and other concerned government agencies, shall
formulate such 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 in

any newspaper of general circulation

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions unaffected thereby shall remain valid
and subsisting

Sec 10. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations and other executive issuances, which are not consistent with or contrary

to the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazzette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,