< 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 
1264 
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'srl1ntl' 
14l1f,;. "f IIt.jmtt", 
°13 
AUG 12 P? :40 
Nurses play an impOliant role in providing quality health care services to all, particularly to 
the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children, at affordable cost. 
However, the full potential of Filipino nurses as stable health human resource and partner of 
the government in providing quality and affordable health care services is undermined by 
unemployment, underemployment and poor working conditions. 
In a joint statement issued in 2011, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the 
Professional Regulation Commission (PRe) and the Board of Nursing (BON) identified the 
continuing issues affecting unemployed nurses, specifically: (1) Serving as Volunteers; (2) 
Submitting to "On-the-job Training Program"; or concerns conveyed to the public in general 
terms as: volunteerism among unemployed nurses who are charged fees by selected 
healthcare institutions. Moreover, the PRe-BON stated that in December 2009, there are a 
total of 219, 617 unemployed/underemployed Filipino nurses all over the country.] 
ANG NARS Party-List Representative Leah Primitiva G. Samaco-Paquiz has filed House 
Bill No. 00151. 
Representative Samaco-Paquiz expressed that the existing oxymoron 
situation where there are thousands of unemployed nurses yet there is inadequate supply of 
nurses in health facilities as shown by high nurse to patient ratio, is a living testimony to the 
deficient, if not absent, health care services to Fili~inos. From 1998 to 2012, the number of 
unemployed nurses have ballooned to 300,000 henc~;"lhade nurses vulnerable to exploitation 
and unfair labor practices such as job orders, contractualization, "false volunteerism" or 
doing "volunteer" work in hospitals without pay and "false trainings" or paying for "training 
fees" just to be able to work; practices which are not only abusive and unjust but also illega1.2 
In support of the initiative of Representative Samaco-Paquiz to address the major challenges 
faced by Filipino nurses, this representation is filing the same bill with the objective of 
enacting a measure responsive to the needs and concerns of Filipino nurses, and of the 
Filipino people to quality and affordable health care services. 
I Department of Labor and Employment, Professional Regulation Commission and Board of Nursing. Position 
Statements orthe "DOLE-PRC-BON on Nurse Volunteerism". Retrieved from 
http://n urs in g. bon ph iii ppines.org/i ndex.php?option=com content&view=artic le& ict= 50: DO ... 
, Explanatory Note. House Bill No. 00 I 5 I. Introduced by ANG NARS Party-List Representative Leah Primitiva 
G. Samaco-Paquiz. 


This proposed bill seeks to institute measures towards relevant nursing practice, just and 
human conditions of work, and promotion of professional growth in accordance with the 
State policy to uphold the dignity of nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, 
respect, and improvement of the nursing profession. 
In view of the foregoing, the timely passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Fh'st Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 1264 
"13 
~UG 12 P2 :40 
RE('E,\'Ell nY: r 
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW 
TOWARDS QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING 
ACT OF 2002 
j
'jl:j 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep res ,~latives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
I.hl11 
ARTICLE I 
General Provision 
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Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Nursing Law 0[2013," 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold the 
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dignity of nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, respect, and improvement of 
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the nursing profession by instituting measures towards relevant nursing practice, just and 
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humane conditions of work, and promotion of professional growth. 
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The State guarantees the delivery of accessible, affordable, and available quality health care 
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to all the people through implementation of adequate and competent Nursing Personnel 
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System (NPS) throughout the country. 
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Section 3. Definition of Terms. The following terms when used in this act shall mean: 
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(a) 
"Advanced Practice Nurse" refers to a nurse who acquired substantial theoretical 
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knowledge and decision making skills in the specialty area of nursing practice and 
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proficient clinical utilization of this knowledge in implementing independent and inter-
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dependent nursing interventions. Specialties can be differentiated in categories, 
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according to function, disease/pathology, systems, age, sex, acuity, setting and 
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tcchnologyltherapies. 
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(b) 
"Board" rcfers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing as defined by this Act. 
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(c) 
"BSN" is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It refers to the undergraduate nursing 
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education program. 
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(d) 
"CHED" refers to the Commission on Higher Education which promulgates policies 
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and standards and curriculum of BSN. 
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(e) 
"Commission" refers to the Professional Regulation Commission. 
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(I) 
"Health Facility" refers to an institution, establishment, clinic that offers health services 
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and nursing care, such as hospitals, barangay h.ealth centers and clinics. 
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(g) 
"NLE" refers to the Philippine Nurse Licensure Exams. 
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(h) 
"Nurse" refers to a person who passed the Nurse Licensure Exams (NLE) and whose 
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license has not been revoked by law. Thus, it pertains to a registered nurse (RN). 
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(i) 
"Nursing" is the science and art of caring. 
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"Nursing care" is a therapeutic use of self which includes, but is not limited to: the 
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provision of physiological, psychological, spiritual, social and emotional care; essential 
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health care, comfort measures, health teachings; executing health care techniques and 
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procedures; and, traditional and innovative approaches to individuals, families and 
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communities from conception to death. 
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(k) 
"Nursing Personnel System" refers to a system of human resource management in an 
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institution that classifies the structure, organization, and coordination within the 
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workforce both in private and public health care facilities and nursing educational 
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institutions to advance the welfare and protect the rights of the nurses and to ensure the 
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employer-employee relationship, security of tenure, just compensation, humane 
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conditions of work, career/professional growth. 
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(I) 
"Precarious Work" is the term used to describe non-standard employment, such as 
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underpayment, no payment, no security of tenure, no employer-employee relationship, 
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no benefits, unpredictable working conditions; and deviation from the standard 
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employment relationships, such as contractual, false volunteerism, job orders thru 
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agencies, part time, self-employment, fixed term work, temporary, on call, home 
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workers, telecommuting, few benefits, lack of" colleCtive bargaining representation, and 
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no job security. 
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ARTICLE II 
Board of Nursing 
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Section 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. There shall be created a Professional 
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Regulatory Board of Nursing (Board) composed of a Chairperson and six (6) members. They 
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shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines from among those 
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recommended by the Commission and ranked from a list of three (3) nominees, per vacancy, 
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of the accredited professional organization of nurses in the Philippines and who possess the 
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qualifications prescribed herein. 
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Section 5. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. The Chairperson 
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and members of the Board shall possess the following qualifications: 
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(a) 
Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines for the past five (5) 
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consecutive years; 
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(b) 
Must be a member of good standing of the accredited professional organization of 
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nurses; 
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(c) 
Must be a Nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a valid certificate of registration and 
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a current professional identification card; 
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(d) 
Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing and preferably with a doctorate degree 
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conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the government; 
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(e) 
Must have at least ten (10) years of continuous practice of the nursing profession prior 
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to appointment; and 
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(t) 
Must be of good moral character and have not been convicted of any offense involving 
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moral turpitude. 
The membership of the Board shall comprise the scope of nursing practice: nursing 
education, nursing service, nursing research, and nursing leadership and governance. 
Section 6. Prohibition as Member of the Board of Nursing. A member of the Board shall not 
hold a position or have pecuniary interest in any educational institution offering BSN, any 
review or training center for NLE, training hospitals and health facilities with nursing 
affiliates. 
Section 7. Term of Office. The chairperson and members of the Board shall hold office for a 
term of three (3) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. No 
member of the Board shall serve for more than two (2) terms or a maximum of six (6) years. 
Section 8. Vacancy. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled in the manner prescribed herein 
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. 
"1" 
Section 9. Compensation. The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive 
compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by 
the chairperson and members of other regulatory boards. 
Section 10. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records. Secretariat 
and Support Services. The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the 
Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for examinations, 
administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall be under the 
custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and 
shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this 
Act. 
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Section 11. Powers and Duties of the Board. The Board shall supervise and regulate the 
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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 NLE, which includes the application, test 
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development, examination, correction and release of results. The use of appropriate 
3 
technology/modalities during the conduct of the NLE is encouraged to enhance 
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efficiency while upholding integrity; 
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(b) 
Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration for the practice of nursing 
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and ensure the widest publication through electr()nic and written media; 
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(c) 
Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice and exercise the 
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powers 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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(d) 
Ensure quality nursing education by exammmg and monitoring higher educational 
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institutions offering and seeking permission to open nursing education programs and to 
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ensure that standards of nursing education are properly complied with and maintained at 
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all times. Provided that the authority to open and close nursing education programs 
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offered by higher educational institutions, shall be vested on CHED; 
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(e) 
Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against actively practicing 
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nurses for unethical and unprofessional conduct and violations of this Act, or its rules 
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and regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena duces tecum and subpoena 
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ad testificandum to require the appearance of respondents and witnesses and the 
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production of documents and penalize with contempt persons obstructing, impeding 
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and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such proceedings, upon application 
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with the Board of Nursing or Commission; 
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(f) 
Promulgate a Code of Ethics that is responsive to the needs of the nursing profession in 
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coordination with the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) of nurses; 
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(g) 
Establish and operationalize, via necessary infrastructures, a National Nursing Career 
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Progression Program to ensure continuing professional development of Filipino nurses, 
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create the Council for Nursing Advancement, Recognition, and Specialization as well as 
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the various Nursing Specialty Boards to assist the Board of Nursing for this purpose; 
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(h) 
Make decisions on matters directly affecting nurses' welfare; 
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(i) 
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(k) 
Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions with the provision of operational 
resources including human, financial and spatial resources to ensure the confidentiality 
and sanctity of their functions as provided through the annual budget of the 
Commission as promulgated in the General Appropriations Act; 
Source and utilize funds earmarked for national nursing development; and 
Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and decisions 
as may be necessary for the improvement of nursing practice, advancement of the 
profession, and for the proper and full enforcement of this Act, subject to review and 
approval by the Commission. 


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Section 12. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the close of its calendar year, submit an 
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annual report to the President of the Philippines through the Commission giving a detailed 
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account of its proceedings and the accomplishments during the year and making 
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recommendations for the adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions 
5 
affecting the practice of the nursing profession. 
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Section 13. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. The President may remove or 
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suspend any member of the Board, after due process, on the following grounds: 
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(a) 
Continued neglect of duty or incompetence; 
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(b) 
Commission or toleration of irregularities in the NLE; and 
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(c) 
Unprofessional, immoral or dishonorable conduct. 
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Article III 
Examination and Registration 
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Section 14. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE). All nursing graduates must take 
19 
and pass the NLE as one of the requirements to obtain certificate of registration/professional 
20 
license. The NLE shall be administered by the Board in such place and date as designated by 
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the Commission: Provided that no nursing educational institution shall withhold any 
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requirement and/or documents of any nursing graduate for the purpose of preventing them to 
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apply for the NLE. All nursing educational institution must ensure that their nursing 
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graduates will take the nearest scheduled NLE after graduation. Any delay in taking the NLE 
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must be accordingly justified by the president, registrar or dean of the educational institution 
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through a public instrument. 
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Section 15. Scope of Examination. The scope of th~ NLE shall be determined by the Board 
29 
by taking into consideration the nursing curriculum, the broad scope and areas of nursing 
30 
practice, core competencies, and other disciplines in determining the subjects of examination. 
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Section 16. Qualifications for Admission to the NLE. In order to be admitted to the NLE, an 
applicant must be: 
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(a) 
A holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited educational 
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institution that complies with the standards of nursing education; 
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(b) 
Of good moral character and have not been convicted, by final judgment, of any 
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criminal offense involving moral turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable 
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conduct, or any person declared by the court to be of unsound mind; and 
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(c) A citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen or subject of a country which permits Filipino 
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nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subject or citizen 
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of such country; Provided that the requirements for the registration or licensing of 
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nurses in said countries are substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act. 
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Section 17. Fees for Examination and Registration. Applicants for licensure and for 
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registration shall pay the prescribed fees set by the Commission. 
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Section 18. Ratings. In order to pass the NLE. an examinee must obtain at least seventy-five 
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percent (75%) of tested areas of all competencies. An examinee who has failed the NLE 
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three (3) times shall be barred from taking any further NLE. The NLE results shall be 
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released not later than forty-five (45) days from the date ofNLE. 
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6· Section 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/Professional License and Professional 
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Identification Card. A certificate of registration/professional license shall be issued to all 
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successful 
examinees, 
subject to 
Section 
14" of this Article. 
A certificate of 
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I'egistration/professionallicense shall show the full name of the registrant, the signature of the 
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Chairperson of the Commission, and thc members of the Board. The certificate shall bear the 
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logo of the Board and the official seal of the Commission. 
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The Commission shall likewise issue the professional identification card. The card must bear 
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the following: full name of the registrant nurse, the serial number, the date of issuance and 
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expiration, the signature of the Chairperson of the Cornmission, and date of registration. 
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Section 20. Oath of Profession. All successful examinees shall be required to take an oath of 
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profession before the Board. The Board shall schedule oath-taking ceremonies in each major 
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region not later than forty-five (45) days from the date of release of the NLE results. During 
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the oath taking the professional identification cards shall be released, together with the 
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certificate of registration/professional license, to all the registrant nurses. 
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Section 21. Roster of Nurses. The Commission shall maintain a roster of nurses pursuant to 
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the PRC Automated System. It shall serve as the centralized database for nursll1g 
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professionals for purposes of documentation, statistics, research, and development. 
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Section 22. Registration by Reciprocity. A certificate of registration/professional license may 
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be issned without examination to a nurse register~d under the laws of a foreign state or 
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country: Provided that the requirements for registration or licensing of nurse in said country 
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is substantially the same as those prescribed under this Act; Provide further, that the laws of 
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such country grants the same privileges to Professional Registered Nurse of the Philippines 
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on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country. 
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Section 23. Practice Through Special/Temporary 'Pcermit. A special/temporary permit may 
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be issued to the following persons based on qualification, and professional and moral 
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standards as determined by the Board and approved by the Commission, to wit: 
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(a) 
Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states whose services are either for a fee or free 
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if they are internationally well-known specialists or outstanding experts in any branch 
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or specialty of nursing; 
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(b) 
Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states on medical mission whose services shall 
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be free in a particular hospital, center or clinic; 
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(e) 
Licensed nurses from' foreign countries/states who are engaged by colleges/universities 
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offering the nursing program as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; 
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and 
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(d) 
Licensed nurses fr0111 foreign countries/state who come to aid during declared disasters 
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and calamities. 
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The special/temporary permit shall be effective only for the duration of the project, medical 
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mission or engagement contract. 
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Section 24. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration/Professional License 
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and Cancellation of Special/Temporary Permit. The Board shall have the power to revoke or 
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suspend the certificate of registration/professional license or cancel the special/temporary 
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permit ofa nurse upon any of the following grounds: 
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(a) 
Conviction, by final judgment, of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or 
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guilty 0 f immoral or dishonorable conduct or any person declared by the court to be of 
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unsound mind; 
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(b) 
Violation of this Act, its policies, rules and regulations, and of the Philippine Code of 
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Ethics for Nurses; 
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(c) 
Gross negligence, grave misconduct, Ignorance, and incompetence 111 the nurs111g 
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practice; 
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(d) 
Fraud, concealment, misrepresentation, or false statements in obtaining a certificate of 
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registration/professional license or a temporary/special permit; 
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(e) 
Practice of the nursing profession pending suspension of license. 
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Section 25. Reinstatement and Re-Issuance of Revoked Certificates of Registration! 
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Professional License. The Board may, after the expiration of a maximum of four (4) years 
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from the date of revocation of a certificate of registration/ professional license, for reasons of 
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equity and justice, and when the cause for revocation has disappeared or has been cured and 
28. 
corrected, npon proper application thereof an(l the payment of the required fees, reinstate and 
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re-issue the certificate of registrationlprofessionallicense. 
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ARTICLE IV 
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Nursing Practice 
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Section 26. Nursing Practice. The administration of nursing care through the utilization of 
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the nursing process: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation, 
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Nursing practice encompasses various stages of development towards the promotion of 
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health, prevention of illness, health care techniques and procedures, restoration of health, and 
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alleviation of suffering, may it be performed independently or collaboratively. 
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Section 27. Scope of Nursing Practice. The following are the scope of nursing practice: (1) 
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nursing education; (2) nursing service; (3) nursing research; and (4) nursing leadership and 
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governance. A nurse shall be deemed to be practicing nursing when he or she, for a fee, 
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salary or compensation, singly or collaboratively, performs nursing care to individuals, 
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families and communities. 
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Section 28. Core Competencies. In order to preserve and uphold the standards of nursing 
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practice, a nurse shall possess and exercise the following core competencies at all times: safe 
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and quality nursing care, management of resources and environment, health education, legal 


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responsibility, ethico-moral responsibility, personal and professional development, quality 
2 
improvement, research, records management, communication, collaboration and teamwork. 
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Section 29. Duties and Responsibilities of a Nurse. The duties and responsibilities of a nurse 
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are, but not limited to: promotion of health, prevention of illness, restoration of health, 
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rehabilitative aspects of care, alleviation of suffering, and when recovery is not possible, 
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towards a peaceful death. Curative health may be facilitated by a nurse provided that he or 
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she is working in collaboration with other health care providers. 
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ARTICLE V 
Nursing Education 
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Section 30. Nursing Education. The formal learning, training, and advancement 111 the 
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science and art of nursing. 
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Section 31. Undergraduate Nursing Education Program. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
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(BSN) that falls within the power and authority of the CHED. The National Nursing 
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Admission Test (NNAT) is a pre-qualifying condition in the admission to the BSN program 
20 
and shall require a passing percentage of seventy-five percent (75%). 
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BSN is a tour (4 )-year course that includes theoretical and related learning experiences both 
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in classroom and clinical set-up that teaches, guides and supervises students in nursing 
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education programs. It includes nursing services administration in diverse settings, such as 
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hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities; undertakes consultation services; and engages in 
26 
such activities that require the utilization of knowledge and decision-making skills of a 
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registered nurse. 
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Section 32. Graduate Nursing Education Program. Is the post baccalaureate nursing 
program, which builds on the experiences and skills of a nurse towards mastery, expertise, 
and leadership in practice, research, and education. 
It includes a master's degree and 
doctorate degree in nursing founded on the philosophies, and the scientific body of 
knowledge and practice. 
'Ill. 
Graduate Nursing Education Programs and post-graduate courses shall be offered only in 
colleges with Level III Accredited Baccalaureate Nursing Programs according to the CHED 
Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSG) on Graduate Education. 
Section 33. Continuing Professional Education (CP E). A nurse has a professional 
responsibility upon himself/herself to maintain competence, exude leadership, and promote 
excellence by continual learning through CPE conducted by an accredited organization 
approved by the appropriate agency of the government. 
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In order to unde11ake nursing and healthcare human resource development, trammg and 
45 
research to the advancement of the nurses' professional growth, such as updating skills 
46 
enhancement, developing of advanced nursing practice shall be ensured. 
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50. 


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ARTICLE VI 
Nursing Service 
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Section 34. Nur;'ing Service, Is the promotion of health and prevention of illness which 
5 
includes, but not limited to, nursing care provided by a nurse, either independently or 
6 
collaboratively, to any individual, family or group in any health care setting such as hospitals, 
7 
public health institutions or communities, and clinics: , 
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Section 35. Public Health Nursing, The public health nursing shall include the following 
10 
functions: (1) Provide health education to individuals, families and communities; (2) Ensure 
11 
that messages on healthy lifestyle are incorporated in his or her health teachings; (3) Seek 
12 
0ppoliunities to promote a healthy lifestyle within his or her influence; (4) Accept that he or 
13 
she is a role model for a healthy lifestyle; (5) Enable people to increase control over their 
14 
health and to improve health; (6) Build healthy public policy; (7) Create supportive 
15 
environment; (8) Strengthen community action for health; and (9) Establish linkages with 
16 
community resources and coordination of services with the health team, 
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Section 36. NurSing Procedures, Nursing procedures shall include, but not limited to, the 
19 
following: (I) Internal examination during labor in the absence of antenatal bleeding, 
20 
attending to normal delivery and suturing of perineal laceration, and newborn care; (2) 
21 
Administration of legal and written prescriptions for treatment, therapies, medications; (3) 
22 
Hypodermic, intramuscular, or intravenous injections; and, (4) Wound care, ostomy care, 
23 
suturing of lacerated wounds and removal of suture,' 
24 
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Section 37. Restoration of Health in Collaboration with Other Members of the Health Care 
26 
Team, The restoration of health in collaboration with other members of the health care team 
27 
shall include the following: 
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29 
(a) 
Cardiac care; 
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(b) 
Airway management; 
31 
(c) 
Blood product administration; 
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(d) 
Cast care; 
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(e) 
Chemotherapy management; 
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(I) 
Chest physiotherapy; 
, ,"" 
35 
(g) 
Emergency care and triage; 
36 
(h) 
Enteral tube feeding; 
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(i) 
Hemodialysis; 
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0) 
Peritoneal dialysis therapy; 
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(k) 
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia management; 
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(I) 
Intracranial pressure monitoring; 
41 
(m) Intravenous insertion and therapy; 
42 
(n) 
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring; 
43 
(0) 
Mechanical ventilation management; 
44 
(p) 
Medication administration; 
45 
(q) 
Neurologic monitoring; 
46 
(r) 
Oxygen therapy, post-moliem care; 
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(s) 
Total parenteral nutrition; and 
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(t) 
Venous access device maintenance. 
49 


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Section 38. Advanced Practice Nursing. Is a specialized and expanded nursing care. This 
2 
practice includes the acquisition of new knowledge and skills that legitimize role autonomy 
3 
within specific areas of practice. 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
ARTICLE VII 
Nursing Research, Policy Development, and Planning 
9 
Section 39. 
N1lrsing Research and Policy Development. 
Nursing research and policy 
10 
development shall involve study and pursuit of nurse related issues encompassing the 
11 
following areas: 
12 
13 
a. 
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15 
Professional nursing practice (e.g., advancing nursing knowledge to ensure quality 
nursing care for all and advocacy for sound health policies globally). 
16 
b. 
Nursing regulation (e.g., credentialing, code of ethics, standards and competencies). 
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c. 
19 
20 
Socio-economic welfare for nurses (e.g., occupational health and safety, human 
resources planning and policy, remuneration, career development). 
21 
Section 40. Studies for Nursing Manpower Needs, Production, Utilization and Development. 
22 
The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization and appropriate 
23 
government or private agencies, shall initiate, nndertake and conduct studies on healthcare 
24 
human resources production, utilization and development. 
25 
26 
Section 41. ComprehenSive Nursing Specialty Program. Within ninety (90) days from the 
27 
effectivity of this Act, the Board, in coordination with the accredited professional 
28 
organization, recognized specialty organizations, and the Department of Health, is hereby 
29 
mandated to formulate and develop a comprehensive nursing specialty program that would 
30 
upgrade the level of skill and competence of specialty nurse clinicians in the country, such as, 
31 
but not limited to, the areas of critical care, oncology, renal and such other areas as may be 
32 
determined by the Board: Provided that the beneficiaries of this program arc obliged to serve 
33 
in any Philippine hospital for a period of at least two (2) years continuous service. 
34 
' 
11'1" 
35 
Section 42. Funding for the ComprehenSive Nursing Specialty Program. The annual financial 
36 
requirement needed to train at least ten percent (l 0%) of the nursing staff of the participating 
37 
government hospital shall be chargeable against (he income of the Philippine Charity 
38 
Sweepstakes Office (peSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
39 
(PAGCOR), which shall equally share in the costs and shall be released to the Department of 
40 
Health subject to accounting and auditing procedures. Provided that the Department of 
41 
Health shall set the criteria for the availment of this program. 
42 
43 
44 
ARTICLE VIII 
45 
Nursing Leadership and Governance 
46 
47 
Section 43. Nursing Leadership. Nursing is a dynamic field that requires leaders who will go 
48 
through the changing aspects of the health sector as they are part of the workforce that will 
49 
toil and labor for the improvement of the health of the citizenry. Nurses adapt specific roles 
50 
in organizational structure, from being the policy makers in health facilities and giving 


1 
gu'idance to senior managemEmt on best practices in nursing and patient care. They work with 
2 
healthcare leaders to establish compensation and benefit programs and are involved in nurse 
3 
recruitment, training and retention. Thus, nurses in the management positions shall develop 
4 
patient-care programs, manage nursing budgets, plan new patient services, establish nursing 
5 
policies and procedures, participate in cross-departmental decision making, conduct 
6 
performance improvement activities and represents the scope of nursing practices at board of 
7 
director meetings and other stakeholders. 
8 
9 
Section 44. Nursing Governance. Governance in nursing practice is shifting from the 
10 
traditional view that nurses are subordinate and passive employees towards having more 
11 
proactive involvement of taking charge of the organization to be the antecedent in decision 
12 
making and implementation of plans and policies for the patients and communities. 
13 
Governance in the practice of nursing shall be encouraged to empower each nurse in 
14 
decision-making over their professional practice while extending their power and control 
15 
over the administrative aspect of their practice. 
16 
17 
18 
ARTICLE IX 
19 
Nursing Personnel System 
20 
21 
Section 45. Nursing Personnel System. The nursing personnel system covers the following 
22 
fields: nursing service administration in the hospital setting, public health practice, and the 
23 
academe. 
24 
25 
Section 46. Salary. In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service, and 
26 
professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health 
27 
institutions shall not be lower than salary grade (SG) "IS" as prescribed under Republic Act 
28 
No. 6758, otherwise known as the "Compensation and Classification Act of 1989." In private 
29 
health institutions, the minimum base pay for the nurses, upon entry, shall be equivalent to 
30 
that of SG "IS" in public hospitals. 
31 
32 
Section 47. Incentives and Benefits. The Board of Nursing, in coordination with the 
33 
Department of Health, other concerned government agencies, association of hospitals and the 
34 
accredited professional organization, shall establish:' an incentive and benefit system in the 
35 
form of free hospital care for nurses and their dependents, scholarship grants and other non-
36 
cash benefits. The government and private hospitals are hereby mandated to maintain the 
37 
standard nurse-patient ratio. 
38. 
S.ection 48. Ratio. To effeqtuate the quality nursing care for the patients, the staff nurse to 
39 
patient ratio in a hospital setting (general nursing service or general ward) shall be set at a 
40 
ratio of one is to twelve (1: 12). In the barangay set-up, the nurse to patient ratio shall be set 
41 
at one is to ten thousand (1:1 0,000): Provided that the nurse shall be the supervisors of the 
42 
midwives and barangay health workers. There shall be a nurse for every school, may it be 
43 
private or public, primary, secondary or tertiary, subject to the applicable ratio prescribed by 
44 
the appropriate government agency. 
45 
46 
Section 49. NurSing Service Administration in the Hospital Setting. The Nursing Personnel 
47 
in the hospital is headed by a Nursing Administrator with the title, Chief Nursing Officer 
48 
(CNO). The CNO shall be the executive head of the nursing service of a healthcare facility. 
49 


1 
Section 50. Qllalifications of a eNG. The CNO must have a minimum of eight (8) years 
2 
related clinical experience, with at least five (5) years experience in a supervisory or 
3 
managerial position in nursing, at least two (2) years experience as staff nurse in a general 
4 
nursing service, at least one (1) year in specialty nursing area, and must be a member of good 
5 
standing in the accredited professional organization. 
6 
7 
Section 51. Duties and Responsibilities of ChielNu,rsing Officer (CNO). The eNO shall be 
8 
responsible for the full administrative aspects and shall have the authority for the planning, 
9 
organizing, directing and controlling of the nursing service. The eNO shall have governance 
10 
responsibility, accountability and shall serve as an advocate of the rights and welfare of the 
11 
nursing staff in the hospital. 
12 
13 
The duties of the eNO includes, but not limited to, the formulation of policies, strategic and 
14 
operational planning, financial plan and resource allocation, development of procedures, and 
15 
professional and organizational involvement. 
16 
17 
Section 52. Responsibilities and Duties of a ClinJcal Nurse Supervisor (CNS). The eNS 
18 
refers to the middle level manager in charge of a particular nursing department. The eNS 
19 
shall be responsible in the planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and implementing of 
20 
policies within the area. 
21 
22 
The eNS is in charge of planning and implementation of staff development programs for 
23 
different categories of nursing personnel including nursihg students and other affiliates. The 
24 
eNS shall provide insights on methods and practices for professional development in the 
25 
healthcare, health services and work environment. The eNS shall also initiate evidence-based 
26 
researches for the improvement of nursing patient care. 
27 
28 
Section 53. Qualifications of a CNS. A eNS must have a minimum of five (5) years related 
29 
clinical experience preferably in an area of specialization, must be a graduate of master's 
30 
program in nursing, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited professional 
31 
organization. 
32 
33 
Section 54. Charge Nurse (CN).The eN shall be responsible for the administration and 
34 
supervision of a particular Nursing Unit as well a~'the' supervision of staff nurses in the unit. 
35 
The Charge Nurse must have a minimum of two (2) years related clinical experience 
36 
preferably in an area of specialization, must finish a minimum of 30 units of Masters in 
37 
Nursing Program, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited professional 
38 
organization. 
39 
40 
Section 55. Staff Nurse (SN). A SN is in direct contact with patients to perform independent, 
41 
dependent, and interdependent nursing actions and: follow the nursing process of assessment, 
42 
diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Work experience is not necessary for 
43 
this position. 
44 
45 
Section 56. Public Health Practice. Nursing service shall be organized and operationalized in 
46 
every local health agency in order to ensure the nursing component of public health 
47 
programs. Thus, an ideal nurse in every barangay shall be the thrust of public health in order 
48 
to provide accessible, available, and affordable quality health care to all. More so, a nurse in 
49 
every school, may it be private or public, shall be prioritized in every primary, secondary and 


1 
tertiary educational institution in order to instill health awareness at an early stage and to 
2 
improve the health status of the students. 
3 
4 
Section 57. The Public Health Chief Nursing Officer (PHCNO). The nursing service and 
5 
delivery of healthcare in a public health practice or community set-up shall be headed by the 
6· PHCNO. The PHCNO shall carry full administrative responsibility and shall have the 
7 
authority on planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of public health nurses. A 
8 
PHCNO must have a minimum of three (3) years practice in a community setting as the 
9 
Community Health Nurse or Public Health Nurse, must have at least five (5) years experience 
10 
in general nursing service administration, and must be a member of good standing in the 
11 
accredited professional organization. In addition, the PHCNO in public health agency must 
12 
be a master's degree holder in Public Health or Community Health Nursing. 
13 
14 
The PHCNO is responsible for the formulation of policies, strategic and operational planning, 
15 
financial plan and resource allocation, policies and procedure development, professional and 
16 
organizational involvement to address epidemiologic problems and provide statistical data, 
17 
and shall exercise good governance and accountability of the nursing personnel in a public 
18 
health setting. The PHCNO shall also act as the advocate for the rights and welfare of public 
19 
health nurses. 
20 
21 
Section 58. Public Health Nurse Supervisor (PHNS). The PI-INS shall be in charge of 
22 
planning, organizing, directing and controlling activities within a demographic unit. A PI-INS 
23 
must have a minimum of three (3) years practice in a community setting as the Community 
24 
Health Nurse or Public Health Nurse, must be a master's degree holder in Public Health or 
25 
Community Health Nursing, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited 
26 
professional organization. 
27 
28 
Section 59. The Public Health Nurse (PHN). The PHN shall perform the functions and 
29 
activities of health promotion, such as the prevention and treatment of various diseases and 
30 
illnesses in a particular public setting. The PHN shall exercise a supervisory role to the 
31 
midwives and barangay health workers within her catchment area. The PI-IN shall initiate and 
32 
participate in developing policies and guidelines to promote basic Nursing services. A PHN 
33 
must be a member of good standing in the accredited professional organization. 
34 
"I" 
35 
Section 60. Academe. The Dean of the College of Nursing (Dean) shall formulate policies, 
36 
plans and adhere to the prescribed curriculum for advancement of Nursing education. The 
37 
Dean must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, education, or other allied medical and 
38 
health sciences conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the Government of 
39 
the Republic of the Philippines, must have at least three (3) years of experience in teaching 
40 
and supervision in Nursing education, must have at least one (1) year clinical experience in a 
41 
general nursing service, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited 
42 
professional organization. 
43 
44 
Section 61. Faculty Coordinator. A faculty coordinator must be a holder of a master's degree 
45 
ii1 nursin'g, education, or other allied medical and health sciences conferred by a college or 
46 
university duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, must have 
47 
at least one (I) year of clinical practice in a field of specialization, must have at least one year 
48 
of experience in teaching in Nursing education, and must be a member of good standing in 
49 
the accredited professional organization. 
50 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
Section 62. Qualifications of the Faculty. A member of the faculty in a college of nursing 
teaching professional courses must have at least one (I) year of clinical practice in a field of 
specialization. must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, education, or other allied 
medical and health sciences conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the 
Government of the Republic of the Philippines, an4 must be a member of good standing in 
the accredited professional organization. 
, I" 
ARTICLE X 
Prohibited Acts and Penalties 
1 
12 
Section 63. Prohibited Acts. Any ofthe following shall constitute unlawful and illegal acts: 
13 
14 
(a) 
Any person practicing the nursing profession in the Philippines: 
15 
16 
1. Without a certificate of registration/ professional license and professional 
17 
identification card or special temporary permit or without having been declared 
18 
exempt from examination in accordance with the provision of this Act; 
19 
20 
21 
22 
2. Who uses as his/her own certificate of registration/professional license and 
professional identification card or special temporary permit of another; 
I 
23 
3. Who uses an invalid certificate of registration/professional license, a suspended or 
24 
revoked celiificate of registration/professional license, or an expired or cancelled 
25 
special/temporary permits; 
26 
27 
4. Who gives any false evidence to the Board in order to obtain a certificate of 
28 
r.egistration/professional license, a professional identification card or special permit; 
29 
or 
30 
31 
5. Who falsely poses or adveliises as a registered and licensed nurse or uses any other 
32 
means that tend to convey the impression that he/she is a registered and licensed 
33 
nurse; 
34 
"I t,' 
35 
6. Who appends B.S.N.lR.N. after his or her name or Nurse/Nr. before his or her name 
36 
without having been conferred said degree or registration; 
37 
38 
7. Who, as a registered and licensed nurse, abets or assists the illegal practice of a 
39 
person who is not lawfully qualified to practice nursing; or 
40 
41 
8. Who advertises any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or 
42 
she is a nurse e.g. using the nurses' uniform and cap without holding a valid 
43 
certificate of registration from the Board3 
44 
45 
(b) 
Any natural or juridical person, educational institution offering BSN without full 
46 
compliance with the requirements prescribed by law, undertakes in-service educational 
47 
programs, conducts review classes for both local and foreign examination without 
48 
permit/clearance from the Board and the Commission, or conducts Continuing 
] Republic Act No. 877, otherwise known as the Philippine Nursing Law of 1953. 


1 
Professional Education for nurses without accreditation of the provider and 
2 
accreditation of the program from the Board; 
3 
(c) 
Any natural or juridical person or health facility who subscribes to sub-standard quality 
4 
of nursing care and/or nursing practice, such as non-compliance with the nurse-
S 
patient ratio; 
6 
7 
(d) 
Any natural or juridical person, health facility, who exercises and promotes precarious 
8 
working conditions to nurses, such as, but not limited to, the following: 
9 
10 
I, Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse either without salary, for 
11 ' 
allowance, for salal"Y below the applica,ble minimum wage (for nurses deployed in 
12 
private health facilities) or below the prescribed salaries under this Act, whether or 
13 
not under the pretext of a training, deVelopment program, certification course and 
14 
/01' any seminar; or 
15 
16 
2, Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as provided for by 
17 
existing laws; 
18 
19 
3, Collecting any fees from a nurse or from any person or entity in his or her behalf in 
20 
exchange for a nurse's voluntary services in a health facility; or 
21 
22 
4, Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform the regular work functions 
23 
and/or regular work load expected from a regular staff nurse employed by the health 
24 
facility without proper compensation, to render full-time service as a condition for 
25 
the continued availment of his/her volunteer services, and to be the sole nurse on 
26 
duty, except during disasters, calamities, and war; 
27 
28 
5, Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse or nurse trainee in order 
29 
to fill up a vacant position that requires the hiring of a full-time regular employed 
30 
nurse, or for free in exchange for any type, of certification to be issued by the health 
31 
facility for purposes of the nurse's employment application; 
32 
33 
6, Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse, under the pretext of training or 
34 
certification course, but requires him/he~' to' render the tasks and responsibilities 
35 
expected of a regular staff or public health nurse, with the so-called allowance with 
36 
or without benefits, which is below the applicable minimum wage for both private 
37 
and public institutions; 
38 
39 
7. Availing the services of a nurse under contractualization and job order type of 
40 
employment; 
, 
41 
42 
(e) 
Any violation of the provisions of this Act. 
43 
44 
Section 64. Sanctions, A fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) nor 
45 
more than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.90) or imprisonment of not less than one 
46 
(1) year nor more than six (6) years, or both, up'on the discretion of the court, shall be 
47 
imposed upon violation of any prohibited acts enumerated in Section 63 (a) hereof. 
48 
49 
A fine of not less than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) nor more than five 
50 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,OQO,QO) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
more than six (6) years, or both, shall be imposed upon violation of any prohibited acts 
enumerated in Section 63 (b), (c ), (d), and (e) hereof In addition, the license to operate may 
be suspended or revoked upon discretion of the court. 
Section 65. Rqfimd and Compensation. Any nurse found to have been a victim of Section 
60( d) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees illegally collected and payment of 
unpaid salary, which should not be less than the applicable wage for services rendered. 
, ., 
ARTICLE XI 
Miscellaneous 
13 
Section 66. Implementing Agencies. The Department of Health is hereby designated as the 
14 
agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with. and implementation of the provisions of 
15 
this Act by public health facilities. The Department of Labor and Employment is designated 
16 
as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and implementation of the 
17 
provisions of this Act by private health facilitit;s. The Commission and the Board is 
18 
designated as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and implementations of 
19 
the provisions of this Act by educational institutions, CPE providers and health facilities. The 
20 
CI-lED is similarly designated as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and 
21 
implementations of the provisions of this Act by educational institutions with regard to 
22 
nursing education programs and its curriculum. 
23 
24 
Section 67. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
25 
shall be charged to the General Appropriations Act immediately upon effectivity hereof. 
26 
27 
Section 68. Rules and Regulations. Within ninety days (90) after the effectivity of this Act, 
28 
the Board, Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget and Management, the 
29 
Department of Health and other concerned government agencies, shall formulate the 
30 
implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The 
31 
implementing rules and regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or in any 
32 
newspaper of general circulation. 
33 
34 
S~ction 69. Separability . Clause. 
Should anY'I' "'provision of this Act be declared 
35 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and operational. 
36 
37 
Section 70. Repealing Clause. Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise kn'own as the "Philippine 
38 
Nursing Act of 2002" is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, circulars, issuances, 
39 
rules and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
40 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
41 
42 
Section 71. Effectivity. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
43 
Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. 
44 
45 
Approved,