NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
5ea?/7(y Regular Session 
)
of rile rptnrp
23 JUL25 P3 36
SENJ^
S.B. No. 2
RECEIVED BV; 
/
 
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Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS A 
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173, OR THE PHILIPPINE
NURSING 
ACT OF 2002
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. Due to the 
increasing number of Filipino health workers going to other countries, the health 
professional to patient ratio in hospitals remained high at one (1) nurse to 60 
patients, above the standard set by the Department of Health (DOH), which is 1:12. 
Based on the DOH data as of October 2022, there is also a shortage of 106,000 
nurses and other healthcare workers. The DOH further revealed, in a news article 
dated 04 May 2023, that the country needs at least 114,000 physicians and 127,000 
nurses to be able to provide optimal healthcare.
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 immediate approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS ^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regu lar Session 
)
SENi
S.B. No. *001
of tii?
23 JUL 25 P 3 *36
Rl-CEIVEOBV:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS A QUALITY 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173, OR THE PHILIPPINE NURSING
ACT OF 2002
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Tide, - 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 Professionai Organization (APO) refers to the national professional
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organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission
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(PRC);
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b. Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) refers to a nurse who has acquired substantial level
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of theoretical knowledge and decision-making skills in a specialty area of nursing
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practice and demonstrated proficiency in clinical utilization of such knowledge and skill
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in providing expanded and collaborative expert care from a recognized Higher
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Education Institution (HEI) and who is Board and PRC-credentialed;
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c. Bacheior of Science in Nursing (BSN) refers to the baccalaureate program that
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provides sound and liberal education that equips graduates with competencies for
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registration as a professional and is the sole required academic standard for entry into
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nursing practice in the Philippines, in accordance with the appropriate qualification
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framework. The BSN program is effectively promulgated under the enabling Policies,
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Standards and 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 to the
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body deputized by the PRC to develop differentiated nursing- level standards, establish
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mechanisms and criteria for credentialing of specialty organizations and interest
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groups, certification of individuals at different levels of Post Baccalaureate nursing and
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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 the
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Program of differentiating nursing-level standards, the system of credentialing specialty
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organizations and Interest groups, and certification of individuals at different levels of
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practice, recognized by the PRC and the Board of Nursing;
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f. Certification refers to the process of validating achievements through a variety of
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measures and assessment strategies to confirm or attest to the competency of an APN
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upon completion of 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 organization in
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accordance with the PSG;
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g. Credentialing refers to the formal recognition of a specialty organization or interest
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group conferred by the PRC and the Board upon the recommendation of the CPSPN
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after complying with the PSG;
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h. Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) refers to the highest nursing administrative and clinical
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official In healthcare facilities. The CNO is responsible for leading and coordinating an
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organization's nursing services and its daily operation. The CNO is the primary
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spokesperson for nurses in the facility and must be a registered nurse;
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i. Clinical Practice refers to any professional practice rendered in any healthcare
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setting like institutional, public health, and any healthcare industry;


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j. Decent Work refers to aspirations by people in their working lives. It involves
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opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the
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workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development,
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psychological well-being and social integration, freedom for people to express their
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concerns, organize and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and equality of
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opportunity or treatment regardless of ethnicity, gender, position, or religion;
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k. Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) refers to barangays
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specifically deprived due to the presence of both physical and socioeconomic factors;
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I. Health Facility refers to a public or private institution, establishment or clinic
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devoted primarily to the provision of services: including the following: nursing, health
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promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation of individuals
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suffering from illness, disease, injury or disability, or deformity, or in need of obstetrical,
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psychiatric or other medical and nursing care. This cover hospitals, barangay health
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centers, and other clinics;
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m. Individual-based Health Services refers to services which can be accessed remotely
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or within a health facility which focus primarily on treating individuals;
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n. National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) refers to the highest-ranking nursing official
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of the Department of Health (DOH) whose main function is to influence through expert
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advice, safe nursing and quality standards, and implement nursing policies for both the
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public and private sectors;
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0. Nurse is a title conferred on an individual who has met the legal, educational and
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administrative requirements to practice nursing, and is duly registered and licensed to
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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,
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social and cultural care, and essential health care, safety and comfort measures, and
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health teachings; execution of health care techniques and procedures , traditional and
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innovative approaches to individuals, families, population groups and communities from
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conception to death;
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q. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) refers to an
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organized human resource management and development Information system based
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in the DOH and directed by the NCNO, that provides meaningful data used to support
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policies affecting nurses and nursing;
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r. Nursing Practice refers to the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of
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all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. It includes
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the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying
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people. Additional key nursing roles include advocacy, promotion of a safe
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environment, participation In patient and health services management, shaping health
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policy, education, and research;
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s. Nursing Service refers to an office, headed by a CNO within a public or private
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healthcare institution, responsible for administrative and clinical supervision of nurses
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and nursing personnel;


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t. Patient Acuity refevs to the intensity of care provided to a patient by a registered
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nurse or the use of patient classification systems that can forecast patient care
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requirements for nursing care to manage nursing personnel;
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u. Phiiippine Professionai Nursing Practice Standards (PPNPS) refers to the
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authoritative statements of the core competencies and duties that all registered nurses,
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regardless of role, designation, or specialty, are expected to perform. It also promotes,
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guides, and directs professional practice;
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V. Phiiippine Professional Nursing Roadmap (PPNR) refers to a program towards good
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governance of the nursing profession. It is a strategy in ensuring the culture of
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excellence and dynamic leadership for Philippine Nursing;
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w. Positive Practice Environment refers to a practice setting that promotes economic
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welfare, professional autonomy, job satisfaction and retention of nurses by ensuring
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safe staffing, managerial support, professional development, occupational safety and
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psychological health and prevention of workplace violence to promote patient and nurse
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safety;
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X. Precarious Work refers to working conditions which are contingent, atypical or non-
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standard. It is usually characterized by uncertainty of employment including diminution
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or change in position, employment status, multiple possible employers or a disguised
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or ambiguous employment relationship, lack of access to social protection benefits
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usually associated with employment, low pay and substantial legal and practical
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obstacles to joining a trade union and bargaining collectively;
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y. Primary Care refers to initial-contact, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated,
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and culturally appropriate care that Is accessible at the time of need including a range
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of services for all presenting conditions, and the ability to coordinate referrals to other
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health care providers in the health care delivery system, when necessary in every
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household, a nurse Is responsible for their care;
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z. Return Service Agreement refers to an agreement whereby graduates of the
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nursing course who are recipients of government-funded scholarship programs are
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required to serve in priority areas in the public sector, subject to the conditions
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prescribed by Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as " The Universal Health Care
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Act)
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aa. Safe Harborrefers to protection for the nurse from employer retaliation if the nurse
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raises the issue to safety in terms of staffing or reassignment; and
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bb. Special Temporary Permit (STP) refers to the authority to engage in limited nursing
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practice granted to foreign registered or licensed nurses and Filipino nursing graduates
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under the conditions set forth in this Act.
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ARTICLE II
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BOARD OF NURSING
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Sec. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There shall be created, under
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the administrative supervision of the PRC, the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing


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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 Professionai Reguiatory 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 fulfills 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 Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The Board, acting in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, 
accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency, shall approach its mission 
with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility and affirms that the regulation of 
Nursing is a public trust.
Sec. 6. Quaiifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The 
Chairperson and Members of the Board must be natural born citizens of the Philippines 
and have resided therein for at least five (5) consecutive years immediately preceding 
the date of their respective appointments. Furthermore, at the time of their 
appointment, they must possess the following:
a. A valid and current Certificate of Registration and professional identification card as 
nurse;
b. A Master's Degree in Nursing, and preferably, with relevant Doctorate Degree 
conferred by a duly recognized higher educational institution (HEI);
c. At least ten (10) continuous years of nursing practice prior to appointment: 
Provided, That the last five (5) years of such practice must have been served in the 
Philippines;
d. Good moral character, as evidenced by not having been convicted of any offense 
involving moral turpitude; and
e. Physical and mental fitness.
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and 
regulate the practice of the Nursing profession and shall have the following powers, 
duties and functions:


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a. Ensure the proper conduct of the PNLE, including the evaluation of examination
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applications, test development, administration of the examination, correction and
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release of the results thereof. The use of appropriate technologies and modalities
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on the conduct of the PNLE is encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding
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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 and
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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 ail
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times;
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d. Promulgate a Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards that Is responsive to the needs
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of the nursing profession, in coordination with the APO for nurses, within one (1)
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year from the effectivity of this Act;
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e. Prescribe and operationalize CPSPN to ensure the Continuing Professional
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Development of nurses including recognition and credentialing of organized nursing
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groups and certification of advanced practice nurses;
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f. Work in partnership with the appropriate agencies to identify and utilize resources
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earmarked for national nursing development;
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g. Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and to
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submit recommendations to authorities and agencies to aid In policy- and declsion-
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making, as may be necessary, for the improvement of nursing practice,
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advancement of the profession, and for the proper and full enforcement of this Act,
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subject to the review and approval of the PRC;
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h. Oversee the Implementation of the Philippine Profession Nursing Roadmap;
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i. Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against nurses for
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unethical or unprofessional conduct or any violation of this Act, or its rules and
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regulations, and in connection therewith;
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j. Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate Certificate of Registration and special temporary
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permits for the practice of nursing; and
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k. Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions.
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Sec, 8. Prohibition for Members of the Board. -The Members of the Board shall
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not, at the time of their appointments and during their incumbency, hold any position
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nor have pecuniary interest, direct or Indirect, in any HEI offering BSN, or in any review
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or training center for the PNLE, training hospital or health facility with nursing affiliates,
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and is not an officer of the APO.
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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.
Sec. 11. Removai 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 Recordsf 
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.


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ARTICLE III
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
Sec. 16. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE). - In order to obtain 
the Certificates of Registration and professional identification cards, all nursing 
graduates must take and pass the PNLE. The Board shall administer the PNLE in such 
places and dates, as may be designated by the PRC.
Sec. 17. Scope of Examination. - The Board shall determine the scope of the 
PNLE, taking into consideration the nursing core competencies, the nursing curriculum, 
the scope and areas of nursing practice, and other related disciplines.
Sec. 18. Qualifications for Admission to the PNLE. 
application for the PNLE, an applicant must be:
At the time of the filing of
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 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 Professional Identification 
Card. - The Certificate of Registration and professional identification card shall be 
issued to all successful examinees, upon compliance with all the requirements for 
registration. The Certificate shall show the full name of the registrant. Certificate of 
Registration number, and date of initial registration. The same must be duly signed by


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the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the Chairperson of the PRC, with their 
corresponding seals.
The professional identification card shall bear the full name of the registrant, the 
Certificate of Registration number, date of initial registration, and date of the expiration, 
and which must be duly signed by the Chairperson of the PRC. The professional 
identification card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfying the 
requirements set by the PRC, including the payment of the required fees.
Sec. 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 the 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 
a medical mission and 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 public 
calamities.


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b. Nursing graduates with Philippine citizenship who may render nursing service 
during epidemics or national emergencies under the supervision of a 
registered and licensed nurse: Provided, that they have graduated within 
the last five (5) years prior to the occurrence of the epidemic or national 
emergency in which they shall serve.
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, Professionai 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 and 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 
andProfessionaiIdentification 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 which shall include 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, in relation to the nursing practice. 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, 
preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care, restoration of health, alleviation 
of suffering and, when recovery is not possible, in the provision of palliative and end 
of life care.
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In performing collaborative functions, it shall be the duty of the nurse to:
a. Provide nursing care through the conscientious observance of the nursing 
process and established agreed upon based care;
b. Provide advanced nursing care based on the CPSPN and the Philippine 
Qualifications Framework (PQF), a quality assured national system for the 
development, recognition and award of qualifications at defined levels based on 
standards of knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways and 
methods by professionals, learners and workers. The PQF is competency-based, 
labor-market driven and an assessment-based qualification recognition;
c. Establish linkages with community resources and coordination with the 
healthcare workers in any health care, industrial or community setting;
d. Provide health education and health counselling to empower individuals, 
families, population groups and communities towards the promotion of health, 
prevention of illness, and caring towards a peaceful death;
e. Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education programs, including 
the administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals, clinics 
and other health, industrial or community settings where practice of the nursing 
profession exists;
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Provide duly compensated professional nursing services, such as consultation 
services and private nursing practice;
g. Supervise nursing and ancillary nursing personnel in the delivery of safe and 
quality healthcare services in varied settings;
h. Maintain competence by adhering to the CPSP standards and the PPNPS as 
well as engage in lifelong learning within the context of the CPSP;
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Observe, at all times, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for nurses 
promulgated by the Board, uphold the standards of safe and quality nursing 
practice, and demonstrate cultural, gender sensitivity and social responsibility;
j. 
Undertake nursing and health human resource development training and 
research for evidenced based and continual quality improvement, a quality 
assured national system for the development, recognition and award of 
qualifications at defined levels based on standards of knowledge, skills and 
values acquired in different ways and methods by professionals, learners and 
workers. The PQF is competency-based, labor-market driven and an 
assessment-based qualification practice; and
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 any individual, family, and group or community, independently or as part of a
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team of health care providers. A nurse must be able to assess, diagnose, 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 which demand higher cognitive and 
behavioral and performance skills in 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 
issued by the PRC;
3. Physically, mentally and psychologically fit to practice nursing; and
4. Not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
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 PRC. Nurses who practice within this field 
are referred to as "Nurse Specialists". A Nurse Specialist must have the 
following minimum qualifications:
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A BSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the government;
A valid Certificate of Registration and current professional identification card 
as a nurse issued by the PRC;
With at least three (3) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing 
specialty;
Received a specialty training In the area of specialty practice in nursing; 
Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
Not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and 
A member of the appropriate Board-accredited nursing 
specialty organization.
c.
APN 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.
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An 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 PhilFlealth or other relevant government health 
care agency to receive payments for services rendered. An APN must have the 
following minimum qualifications:
a.
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g-
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A graduate of Master of Science In Nursing (Advanced Practice Nursing) from 
a government recognized HEI;
With at least five (5) years of clinical experience in the area of nursing 
specialty;
A graduate of an HEI with a specified post-graduate curriculum with: 
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;
500 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduation from MSN to 
satisfy the requirements for APN certification;
Pass the certification examination by the BON-designated certified nursing 
specialty group;
Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing;
Maintain the certification, renewable every five (5) years; and 
A member of the appropriate Board-credentialed Specialty organization.
Sec. 32. Continuing Professional Development (CRD). - 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
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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. Salary and Compensation. - Nurses shall, at all times, receive 
compensation that is just and due them and commensurate to the level of education, 
and proportionate to training, experience, and complexity of nursing skill required for 
the services rendered.
Nurses providing nursing services in both government and private sectors, and 
who are integral to the functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions, must be 
classified as regular staff after a reasonable probationary period, as mandated by law.
The minimum base pay 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.
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 DOH 
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 Incentives and Benefits. - 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.
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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, or otherwise known as the 
Higher Education Act of1994’.
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 shall require passing the 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 
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 plans, 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 shall 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.
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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 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 medication 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 collaborate with other members of the service delivery network with the goal of 
promoting health, preventing disease and disability, and treatment of common diseases 
and rehabilitation. A PHN may progress to become Public Health Nurse Specialist 
(PHNS) who shall obtain 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.
b.
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;
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
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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). -Iheve shall be a National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) who shall head 
the Office of the National Chief Nursing Officer (ONCNO) under the DON. The NCNO 
shall be designated as Undersecretary.
The 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 development trends In nursing education and practice, in both public and 
private sectors.
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 shall be a 
CESO-ranked officer who shall enjoy security of tenure in government service. Provided 
that, the NCNO shall also be subject to performance evaluation.
A NCNO 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;
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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. 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 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 
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC;
d. Have at least five (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
f. 
Preferably be member of the organization of nursing service administrators 
duly recognized by the Board.
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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 development such as advancing 
nursing knowledge, health and nursing governance, to ensure quality nursing 
care for all and advocacy for sound health policies nationally and globally;
b. Information and knowledge management and communication technology;
c. Regulation of nursing standards, competencies and the process of credentialing; 
and
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 shall be 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 shall be 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 shall be 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:
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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.
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 plantllla, 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.
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Additionally, a registry of nursing professionals shall be incorporated in the 
NHRHMS in coordination with DOH, private institutions, and nursing organizations and 
groups indicating, among others, their current number of practitioners and location of 
practice.
Sec. 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.
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g-
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Use of evidence-based, reliable, and up-to-date staffing and workforce data; 
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;
Nurses must not be substituted with other cadres of workers in performing 
functions within the scope of nursing;
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;
Respect for nurses' professional judgment in determining the required safe 
workforce staffing;
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;
Timely adjustments to nurse staffing based on changes in patients and 
population healthcare needs; and
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.
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Failure to comply with the above minimum safe staffing standard must be 
justified through the assessment tool findings and analysis as provided in this section. 
Non-compliance shall be referred to the Board for action.
A nurse may invoke the mechanism of safe harbor for protection against 
employer retaliation, suspension, termination, discipline, discrimination, or licensure 
sanction.
The Board shall, in consultation with the DOH and other stakeholders, from time 
to time, review and modify the nurse staffing standard as may hereinafter be 
established for the healthcare and industrial settings; and for the community, by taking 
into consideration the current community characteristics and population needs.
In the community, there shall be a nurse in every barangay Health 
Center/Station; every primary, secondary, and tertiary school; industrial establishment 
and other health related facility, subject to the applicable staffing standard prescribed 
by the appropriate government agency.
Sec. 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 the similar compensation and 
incentives.
ARTICLE X
PROHIBITED ACTS AN DC 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 
be the sole nurse on duty, except during disasters, calamities, public 
emergencies and war;
g. Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse, under the 
pretext of On- The-Job Training (OJT), contract of service, or job orders. In 
order to fill-up a vacant position that requires the hiring of a fulltime regular
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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;
h. Contracting or availing of 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;
i. 
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;
j. 
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;
k. Repeatedly subjecting or allowing the nurse to experience prejudice, 
violence, or discrimination;
l. 
Imposing mandatory overtime without valid reason or corresponding 
compensation, or both, as mandated by law;
m. Non-compliance with the minimum safe staffing requirement in Sec. 51; and
n. 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 
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(b)(3)(e) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees illegally 
collected and the payment of unpaid salary, if any, which should not be less than the
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applicable wage for services rendered. This is without prejudice to the other liabilities 
of the violators under applicable laws.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 56. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), Civil Service Commission (CSC), 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.
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.
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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. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations 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 necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act.
SEC. 60. Separabiiity Cause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
operational.
SEC. 61. Repealing Cause. - Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the 
Philippine Nursing Act of2002', 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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