TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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25 JUL29 PI ;02
SENATE
S.B. No. 747
Rl'CtiVED:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS A 
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173 OR THE PHILIPPINE NURSING 
ACT OF 2002, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is considered the world's largest supplier of nurses, with Filipino 
nationals making up the single largest group of foreign-born nurses serving in 
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. This high 
demand for Filipino nurses to work abroad has, however, drained our own supply, 
paralyzing the country's already weak healthcare system.
According to an article by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, dated 27 June 2025, the 
Philippines has deployed at least 25,000 nursing professionals abroad in the last three 
years as of 2023. In 2019 alone, 18,644 Filipino nurses left for work overseas, according 
to data compiled by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). 
Further, there are still a lot of underpaid Filipino nurses who are desperate to join, as 
they flock to recruitment missions regularly organized by high-income countries. This, 
despite the thousands of vacancies for nurses, particularly in rural areas and private 
hospitals.
The Department of Health (DOH) has set the standard nurse-to-patient ratio at 
1:12, however, most government hospitals make do with one nurse for every 20 
patients to cope with staff shortage. Ironically, the country is now facing a growing 
shortage of nurses. As of 2023, the Philippines faces a shortage of around 127,000 
nurses, a number which is expected to grow to 250,000 by 2030.
To address the shortage of nurses due to migration, the proposed measure 
seeks to provide refinements in the nursing practice by introducing measures to 
promote comprehensive and relevant nursing practice standards, guarantee decent


employment and working conditions, and support the professional development of 
nurses.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Tmk^^^Tmarcos^


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
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25 JUL29 P1:02
SENATE 
S.B. No. 747
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS A 
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173 OR THE PHILIPPINE NURSING 
ACT OF 2002, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The Philippine Nursing 
Practice Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In pursuit of the constitutional mandate that 
health is a right of every Filipino, it is hereby declared the State's policy to uphold the 
welfare of the healthcare workers as an essential component toward Universal Health 
Care (UHC). Likewise, it is declared as the State's policy to uphold the dignity of and 
respect for nurses and improve the practice of the nursing profession by instituting 
measures to promote comprehensive and relevant nursing practice standards, ensure 
decent working conditions, and support in the professional growth of nurses. Nurses 
comprise a 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.
Further, the State guarantees accessible, affordable, and available quality 
healthcare by implementing an adequate and comprehensive Nursing Human Resource 
for Health Management System (NHRHMS) throughout the country.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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hereby defined as follows:
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a.) Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the national professional
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organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional Regulation
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Commission (PRC);
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b.) Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) refers to a nurse who has acquired substantial
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level of theoretical knowledge and decision-making skills in a specialty area
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of nursing practice and demonstrated proficiency in clinical utilization of such
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knowledge and skill in providing expanded and collaborative expert care from
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a recognized Higher Education Institution (HEI) and who is Board and PRC-
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credentialed;
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c.) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) refers to the baccalaureate program
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that provides sound and liberal education that equips graduates with
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competencies for registration as a professional and is the sole required
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academic standard for entry into nursing practice in the Philippines, in
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accordance with the appropriate qualification framework. The BSN program
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is effectively promulgated under the enabling Policies, Standards and
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Guidelines (PSG) prescribed and issued by the Commission on Higher
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Education (CHED);
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d.) Career Progression and Specialization Committee for Nursing (CPSCN) refers
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to the body deputized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to
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develop differentiated nursing-level standards, establish mechanisms and
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criteria for credentialing of specialty organizations and interest groups,
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certification of individuals at different levels of Post Baccalaureate nursing
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and advanced practice for recommendation to the Board of Nursing (BON);
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e.) Career Progression and Specialization Program for Nurses (CPSPN) refers to
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the Program of differentiating nursing-level standards, the system of
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credentialing specialty organizations and interest groups, and certification of
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individuals at different levels of practice, recognized by the PRC and the Board
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of Nursing;
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f.) Certification refers to the process of validating achievements through a
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variety of measures and assessment strategies to confirm or attest to the
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competency of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) upon completion of
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a specialty program or Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
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program, or both. The certification is issued by the Board and the PRC upon
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endorsement of the specified recognized and credentialed specialty
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organization in accordance with the PSG;


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g. ) CredentiaHng 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;
h. ) 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;
i. ) CiinicaiPractice refers to any professional practice rendered in any healthcare
setting like institutional, public health, and any healthcare industry;
j. ) Decent Work refers to aspirations by peoplein their working lives. It involves
opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security 
in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for 
personal development, psychological well-being and social integration, 
freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in 
decisions that affect their lives, and equality of opportunity or treatment 
regardless of ethnicity, gender, position, or religion.
k. ) Geographicaiiy-Isoiated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) refer to barangays
specifically deprived due to the presence of both physical and socioeconomic 
factors;
l. ) Heaith Faciiity 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, or in need of obstetrical, psychiatric or other medical and 
nursing care. This cover hospitals, barangay health centers, and other clinics;
m. ) Individuai-based Heaith Services refer to services which can be accessed 
remotely or within a health facility which focus primarily on treating 
individuals;
n. ) Nationai 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;
0.) Nurse \s 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;


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p. ) 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;
q. ) Nursing Human Resource for Heaith 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;
r. ) 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 peopie. Additional key nursing roles include 
advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, participation in patient and 
health services management, shaping health policy, education, and research;
s. ) 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;
t. ) 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;
u. ) Phiiippine Professionai 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;
V. ) 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;
VI. ) 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;
X.) 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


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employment, low pay and substantial legal and practical obstacles to joining 
a trade union and bargaining collectively;
y. ) 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;
z. ) 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 R.A. No. 11223, otherwise known as "The 
Universal Health Care Act";
aa.) 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; and
bb.) Speciai Temporary Permit (STP) refers to the authority to engage in 
limited nursing practice granted to foreign registered or licensed nurses and 
Filipino nursing graduates under the conditions set forth in this Act.
ARTICLE II 
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 Board may elect from among 
themselves a Chairperson to serve for one (1) year subject to re-election as such on a 
year-to-year basis.
SEC. 5. Mission of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing. - The mission 
of the Board is to 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 fulfils its mission through the regulation of the practice of 
nursing and the approval of nursing education programs, the latter which is done in 
collaboration with the CHED.


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The Board acting in accordance with the highest standards of ethics,
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accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency, shall approach its mission
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with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility and affirms that the regulation of
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nursing is a public trust.
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SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The
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Chairperson and Members of the Board must be natural born citizens of the Philippines
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and have resided therein for at least five (5) consecutive years immediately preceding
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the date of their respective appointments. Furthermore, at the time of their
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appointment, they must possess the following:
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a) A valid and current certificate of registration and professional identification
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card as nurse;
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b) A Master's Degree in nursing, and preferably, with relevant Doctorate
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Degree conferred by a duly recognized higher educational institution (HEI);
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c) At least ten (10) continuous years of nursing practice prior to appointment:
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Provided, That the last five (5) years of such practice must have been served in
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the Philippines;
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d) Good moral character as evidenced by not having been convicted of any
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offense involving moral turpitude; and
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e) Physical and mental fitness.
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SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and
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regulate the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers,
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duties, and functions:
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a) Ensure the proper conduct of the PNLE, including the evaluation of
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examination applications, test development, administration of the examination,
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correction and release of the results thereof. The use of appropriate technologies and
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modalities on the conduct of the PNLE is encouraged to enhance efficiency while
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upholding integrity;
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b) Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice, study the
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conditions affecting nursing practice in the Philippines, and exercise the powers
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necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethico-moral technical and
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professional standards in the practice of nursing towards the optimal health and
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common good of the nation;
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c) Ensure quality nursing education by examining and monitoring HEIs offering
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and seeking permission to open nursing education programs to guarantee that the
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standards of nursing education are properly complied with and maintained at all times;


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d) 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;
e) Prescribe and operationalize a 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;
f) Work in partnership with the appropriate agencies to identify and utilize 
resources earmarked for national nursing development;
g) Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and 
to submit recommendations to authorities and agencies to aid in policy and decision­
making, 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 of the PRC;
h) Oversee the implementation of the Philippine Profession Nursing Roadmap;
i) 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;
j) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate certificate of registration and special 
temporary permits for the practice of nursing; and
k) 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 
or a total of six (6) years, or until their successors shall have been appointed and 
qualified.
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.


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SEC. 11. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. - The President may 
remove suspend any member of the Board, after due process, upon recommendation 
of the PRC on any of the following grounds:
a) Continued neglect of duty or incompetence;
b) Commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of the PNLE;
c) Unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable conduct; or
d) Non-disclosure of conflict of interest.
SEC. 12. Vacancy. - Any vacancy in the Board must 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 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 subject to the conditions and 
limitations prescribed by law and upon proper and timely disclosure of possible or actual 
conflict of interest.
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.
SEC. 15. Annual 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 
calendar year including recommendations, if any, for the adoption of measures that 
shall upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of the nursing 
profession.
ARTICLE III
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
SEC. 16. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE). - In order to obtain 
the certificates of registrations and professional identification cards, all nursing


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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.
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. Quaiifications for Admission to the PNLE. - At the time of the filing of 
application for the PNLE, an applicant must be:
a) A holder of a BSN degree from an HEI that is compliant with the standards of 
nursing education recognized by the government;
b) 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
c) 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. PNLE and Registration Fees. - Applicants for the PNLE and registration 
must pay the prescribed fees set by the PRC.
SEC. 20. PNLE Ratings. - To be considered as having passed the PNLE, an 
examinee must pass 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.
SEC. 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professionai 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.


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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. 22. 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. 23. 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. 24. AccreditedProfessionai Organization (APO). - All nurses whose names 
appear in the Registry of Nurses of the PRC become members preferably of the APO for 
nurses, and shall 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. 25. 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. 26. Limited Practice Through Speciai 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:
a) 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 as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; or (iv) 
those who come to provide aid during declared disasters and calamities. 
Nursing graduates with Philippine citizenship who may render nursing service 
during epidemics or national emergencies under the supervision of a
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b)


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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.
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. 27. 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. 28. 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:
a) Conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude 
or of immoral or dishonorable conduct;
b) Judicial declaration to be of unsound mind;
c) 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;
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d) Negligence, misconduct, or incompetence in the practice of nursing resulting 
to injury, harm, disability or death;
e) Commission of fraud, non-disclosure of disqualification, or misrepresentation 
in obtaining a certificate of registration, professional identification card, or 
Special Temporary Permit;
f) Practicing the nursing profession during the period of suspension of license;
g) Breach of ethical practice in research in accordance with prevailing national 
and international guidelines; or
h) Other grounds analogous to the foregoing.
If the penalty imposed is suspension or revocation of the license, the respondent 
shall be required to surrender the certificate of registration and professional 
identification card.
SEC. 29. 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. 30. Scope of Nursing Practice. - The scope of nursing practice is the range 
of roles, functions, responsibilities, and activities on which a registered nurse is 
educated, competent, and has authority to perform and 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 shall 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 their highest skill set.
Nurses are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and prevention of 
illness. Nurses shall collaborate with other health care providers for the promotive.
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preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care, restoration of health, alleviation
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of suffering and, when recovery is not possible, in the provision of palliative and end of
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life care.
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In performing collaborative functions, it shall be the duty of the nurse to:
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process and established agreed upon based care;
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b) Provide advanced nursing care based on the Career Progression Specialization
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Program for Nursing (CPSPN) and the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), a
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quality assured national system for the development, recognition and award of
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qualifications at defined levels based on standards of knowledge, skills and values
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acquired in different ways and methods by professionals, learners and workers. The
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PQF is competency based, labor-market driven and an assessment based qualification
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recognition;
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c) Establish linkages with community resources and coordination with the
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healthcare workers in any health care, industrial or community setting;
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d) Provide health education and health counselling to empower individuals,
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families, population groups and communities towards the promotion of health,
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prevention of illness, and caring towards a peaceful death;
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e) Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education programs, including
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the administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals, clinics and
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other health, industrial or community settings where practice of the nursing
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profession exists;
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f) Provide duly compensated professional nursing services, such as consultation
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services and private nursing practice;
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g) Supervise nursing and ancillary nursing personnel in the delivery of safe and
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quality healthcare services in varied settings;
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h) Maintain competence by adhering to the CPSP standards and the PPNPS as
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well as engage in lifelong learning within the context of the CPSP;
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i) Observe, at all times, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for nurses
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promulgated by the Board, uphold the standards of safe and quality nursing practice,
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and demonstrate cultural, gender sensitivity and social responsibility;
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j) Undertake nursing and health human resource development training and
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research for evidenced based and continual quality improvement, a quality assured
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national system for the development, recognition and award of qualifications at defined
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levels based on standards of knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways
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and methods by professionals, learners and workers. The PQF is competency-based,
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labor-market driven and an assessment- based qualification recognition; practice; and
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k) Exercise the core competencies in the performance of their respective roles 
and responsibilities, in accordance with the PPNPS
SEC. 31. Qualifications of a Registered Nurse. - A nurse shall have 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 health care providers. A nurse must be able to 
assess, diagnose(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 in general nursing or specialized nursing areas, demanding 
higher cognitive and 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, that they have acquired relevant competencies.
a) General Practice Nursing refers to the role of a licensed nurse in the provision 
and advocacy of safe, 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 nurse must have the following minimum qualifications:
1. A BSN 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.
b) Specialty Practice Nursing (SPN) refers to the practice of a nurse in a specialty 
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 as "Nurse 
Specialists". A Nurse Specialist must have the following minimum qualifications:
1. A BSN 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 Commission;
3. With at least three (3) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing 
specialty;
4. Received a specialty training in the area of specialty practice in nursing;
5. Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
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6. Not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and
7. A member of the appropriate Board - accredited nursing specialty 
organization.
c) Advanced Practice Nursing is a scope of nursing practice where the nurses 
have acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical 
competencies for 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 according to the acceptable agreement between the APN and physician.
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, holistic, 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 has rights to order, furnish, and renew orders for appropriate 
medications and treatments based on the DOH National Formulary Guidelines.
The APN shall be accredited by PhilHealth or other relevant government health 
care agency to receive payments for services rendered. An APN must have the following 
minimum qualifications:
a. A graduate of Master of Science in Nursing (Advanced Practice Nursing) from a 
government recognized HEI;
b. With at least five (5) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing specialty;
c. A graduate of an HEI with a specified post-graduate curriculum with: minimum 
advanced practice core courses, minimum competencies in Health Promotion, 
Disease Prevention, and Risk Reduction and supervised clinical practicum 
rotation with an experienced APN or physician, in accordance with approved 
CHED curriculum for APN practicum;
d. 500 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduation from MSN to satisfy 
the requirements for APN certification;
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e. Pass the certification examination by the BON-designated certified nursing
specialty group;
f. Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
g. Maintain the certification, renewable every five (5) years; and
h. A member of the appropriate Board-credentialed Specialty organization.
SEC. 32. Continuing Professionai Deveiopment (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. 33. 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:
a) They have not practiced nursing as defined in the scope of nursing practice 
for at least five (5) consecutive years;
b) They have not renewed their professional identification card for five (5) years; 
or
c) They do not have proof of five (5) years of continuous nursing practice;
SEC. 34. Saiary 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 of all nurses working in government and private health, 
industrial and community settings shall, upon entry, not be lower than Salary Grade 15 
(SG 15) or its equivalent, 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.
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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. 35. Incentives and Benefits. - The Board, in coordination with the DON 
and other concerned government and non-government institutions, association of 
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. 36. Non-Diminution of Benefits and Incentives. - The implementation of 
Sections 34 and 35 of this Act shall not result in the diminution of existing grants of 
salaries, benefits and incentives for nurses.
ARTICLE V
NURSING EDUCATION
SEC. 37. 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. 38. 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 competencies 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. 39. 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
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for Nursing Education shall be offered only through accredited program of HEIs in 
accordance with the prevailing CHED PSG for Graduate Education.
SEC. 40. 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 pians, in collaboration with the school 
officials and stakeholders and must adhere to the prescribed curriculum for the 
advancement of nursing education.
SEC. 41. Qualifications of the Faculty. - Qualifications of the faculty member of 
the Baccalaureate Programs and Graduate Programs for Nursing Education shail be in 
accordance with CHED memorandum order specification.
SEC. 42. Facuity-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. 43. 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. 44. 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 counselling; 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.
SEC. 45. Public Health Nurse (PHN). - Public Health nurses work 
with individuals, families, and population groups that are the nucleus of the community. 
They coliaborate with other members of the service delivery network with the goal of
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promoting health, preventing disease and disability, and treatment of common diseases 
and rehabilitation. A PHN may progress to become a 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 equivalencies issued according to promulgation by the 
CHED, and as defined in Section 31 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 home 
and hospice services;
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,
c) Exercising collaborative leadership and political skills for successful population 
outcomes.
SEC. 46. The National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) and the Chief Nursing 
Officer (CNO). - 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 (NCNO) shall have authority to directly advice 
the Secretary of Health on nursing matters.
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 deveiopment trends in nursing education and practice in both the public and 
private sectors.
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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.
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.
The NCNO shall also act as the advocate for the rights and welfare of nurses in 
both public and private institutions. Further, the NCNO shall hold office for a term of six 
(6) years until a successor shall be 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.
A 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:
a) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines
b) Be a holder of a Doctorate Degree conferred by an HEI duly recognized by 
the government in a relevant healthcare and business/administration field;
c) Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current professional 
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC;
d) Must have the necessary Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) rank
e) Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service 
administration with experience in policy development;
f) Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and
g) Preferably a member of the organization of nursing service administrators duly 
recognized by the Board.
There shall be 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
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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:
a) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines;
b) Be a holder of a Master's Degree in nursing conferred by an HEI duly 
recognized by the government;
c) Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current professional 
identifcation card as a nurse issued by the PRC;
d) Have at least fve (5) years of experience in general nursing service 
administration with experience in policy development; and
e) Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and 
preferabiy be a member of the organization of nursing service 
administrators duly recognized by the Board.
ARTICLE VII
NURSING RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING
SEC.47. Nursing Research and Policy Development. - Nursing Research and 
Policy Development shall involve the study of nurse-related issues, such as but not 
limited to:
a) Professional nursing practice and nursing deveiopment 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;
b) Information and knowledge management and communication technology;
c) Regulation of nursing standards, competencies and the process of 
credentialing; and
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d) Socio-economic welfare for nurses like occupational health and safety, human 
resources planning and policy, remuneration and career development.
ARTICLE VIII
NURSING LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
SEC. 48. 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. 49. 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:
a) First Level Manager is responsible for the management of a nursing 
unit and supervision of nursing support personnel including but not limited 
to. Caregiver I, Caregiver II, Healthcare Dialysis Technician, Medication 
Technician, Orderlies, Orthopedics Technician, Patient Care Technician I, 
Patient Care Technician II, Sitter, Surgical Technician, and Ward Clerk/Unit 
Secretary.
b) Middle Level Manager is responsible for the leadership and governance of 
more than one (1) nursing unit, particularly management of the operational 
systems, financial and human resources.
c) Executive Level is responsible for establishing the strategic direction for the 
entire nursing division, particularly on the development of policies, standards 
and guidelines and has full authority in their implementation.
Nursing Service Managers shall have the following minimum qualifications:
a) For a first level managerial position in nursing: Must have at least eighteen 
(18) units of nursing management and clinical subjects in Master of Arts in 
Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing, with at least three (3) years of clinical 
work experience, and must have participated in at least one (1) research 
project related to the improvement of the quality of care.
b) For a middle level managerial position in nursing: Must have completed all 
the academic requirements in Master of Arts in Nursing or Master of Science 
in Nursing, with at least three (3) years of clinical work and two (2) years 
of management experience, and must have participated in at least one (1) 
research project related to the improvement of the quality of care.
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c) For an executive position in nursing: Must have a post-graduate degree in 
nursing or health management-related sciences, with at least three (3) years 
of clinical work and three (3) years of management experience and must 
have conducted at least two (2) research projects related to the improvement 
of the quality of care in his / her institution.
ARTICLE IX
NURSING HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
SEC. 50. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System. - The 
Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) shall cover all 
nursing human resources in the nursing service of both public and private sectors, and 
the healthcare, industrial and community settings. Institutions shall be mandated to 
report their information to ensure accurate nursing human resource and workforce 
projections and to reconcile these with supply data from CHED and PRC.
Health facilities and institutions including industrial that hire nurses, shall 
implement strategic NHRHMS in all level of the nursing service and in the pursuit shall 
adopt and define appropriate nursing organizational structures to support competency 
development career 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.
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SEC. 51. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System. - The Board 
shall, in consultation with the DOH and other stakeholders, ensure the provision of a 
safe nursing workforce for any healthcare setting guided by the following principles:
a) Use of evidence-based, reliable, and up-to-date staffing and workforce data;
b) 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;
c) Nurses must not be substituted with other cadres of workers in performing 
functions within the scope of nursing;
d) Nurses in management positions must not be delegated to augment staffing 
limitations to fully perform their administrative roles and function to lead, 
support and mentor nursing staff;
e) Respect for nurses' professional judgment in determining the required safe 
workforce staffing;
f) Active involvement of direct care nursing staff and nursing management in 
all stages and aspects of the institution's HRH design, policy development, 
and decision making;
g) Timely adjustments to nurse staffing based on changes in patients and 
population healthcare needs; and
h) The nursing workforce complement is planned to ensure that patient safety.
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.
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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. 52. 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 
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. 53. The following acts are prohibited:
a) Individual Acts:
1. 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;
2. Using the certificate of registration, professional identification card, or 
special temporary permit of another registered nurse;
3. Using fraudulent, suspicious, or an expired suspended or revoked 
certificate of registration, professional identification card, or special 
temporary permit;
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4. Misrepresenting one's self or presenting false evidence to obtain a 
certificate of registration, professional identification card or special 
temporary permit;
5. Falsely advertises one's self through any means to convey the impression 
that one is a nurse;
6. Appending the R.N (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;
7. Abetting or assisting in the illegal practice of the nursing profession 
through the following acts and entities.
b) Institutional Acts
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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:
a. Sexual harassment, workplace violence, lack of mental health 
promotion service
b. 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;
c. Not giving the nurse his/her worked salary in a timely manner;
d. Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as provided 
for under existing laws;
e. 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;
f. 
Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform the regular work 
functions or regular work load, 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
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g-
h.
m.
n.
be the sole nurse on duty, except during disasters, calamities, public 
emergencies and war;
Contracting or availing 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 fulltime 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 the services of a nurse, under the pretext of 
training or certification course, but requiring the nurse to render the 
tasks and responsibilities expected of a regular staff or public health 
nurse;
Practicing job-splitting or hiring two part-timers in place of one full 
time employee and deploying the two nurses on a full-time basis; 
Making mandatory, as a pre-hire requirement, training that should 
have been acquired during the BSN program or which, rightfully should 
be provided by the hiring institution;
Repeatedly subjecting or allowing the nurse to experience prejudice, 
violence, or discrimination;
Imposing mandatory overtime without valid reason or corresponding 
compensation, or both, as mandated by law; and 
Non-compliance with the minimum safe staffing requirement in Sec. 
51;
Any violation of the provisions of this Act or any existing laws such as 
the Civil Service Law and Labor Code of the Philippines.
The Board of Nursing shall coordinate with appropriate government and private 
agencies to enforce the provision of this section.
SEC. 54. Sanctions. - A fine of not less than One hundred thousand 
pesos (Php 100,000.00) nor more than Three hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) 
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 53 (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
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the court, for the commission of any of the prohibited acts enumerated in Section 53(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. 55. Refund and Compensation. - Any nurse found to have been a 
victim under Section 53 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 
applicable wage for services rendered. This is without prejudice to the other liabilities 
of the violators under applicable laws.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 56. Implementing Agencies.- Ihe 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 do 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.
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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. 57. 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.
SEC. 58. Appropriations.-The Chairman of the PRC and the Secretary 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. 59. 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. 60. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
operational.
SEC. 61. 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. 62. 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,
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