EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. NO.
i E1 6 8
of t'jr £» crrtar?
*19 
NOV 12 P2«5
RECEi ;i D BV.____ /
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
PROVIDING 
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE 
NURSING 
LAW TOWARDS 
QUALITY HEALTH SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT 
OF 2002
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Nurses play an important 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 (PRC) 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 PRC-BON stated that in December 2009, there are a total of 
219,617 unemployed/underemployed Filipino nurses all over the country.


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.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENT
l
S.B. NO. l l b o
of tljf ikfcretarp
^ c u a ii.’
19 
NOV 12 
P 2 « 5
4
^
RECtiVrOBY-
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT
PROVIDING 
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE 
NURSING 
LAW TOWARDS 
QUALITY HEALTH SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT 
OF 2002
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I 
General Provisions
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Nursing 
Law of 2019."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to uphold the dignity of nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, 
respect, and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures 
towards relevant nursing practice, just and humane conditions of work, and 
promotion of professional growth.
The State guarantees the delivery of accessible, affordable, and available quality 
health care to all the people through implementation of adequate and competent 
Nursing Personnel System (NPS) throughout the country.
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. The following terms when used in this act 
shall mean:
(a) "Advanced Practice Nurse" refers to a nurse who acquired 
substantial theoretical knowledge and decision making skills in 
the specialty area of nursing practice and proficient clinical 
utilization of this knowledge in implementing independent and 
inter-dependent nursing interventions. Specialties can be


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differentiated 
in 
categories, 
according 
to 
function,
disease/pathology, systems, age, sex, acuity, setting and 
technology/therapies.
(b) "Board" refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing 
as defined by this Act.
(c) 
"BSN" is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It refers to the 
undergraduate nursing education program.
(d) "CHED" refers to the Commission on Higher Education which 
promulgates policies and standards and curriculum of BSN.
(e) "Commission" 
refers 
to 
the 
Professional 
Regulation 
Commission.
(f) 
"Health Facility" refers to an institution, establishment, clinic 
that offers health services and nursing care, such as hospitals, 
barangay health centers and clinics.
(g) "NLE" refers to the Philippine Nurse Licensure Exams.
(h) "Nurse" refers to a person who passed the Nurse Licensure 
Exams (NLE) and whose license has not been revoked by law. 
Thus, it pertains to a registered nurse (RN)
(i) 
"Nursing" is the science and art of caring.
(j) 
"Nursing care" is a therapeutic use of self which includes, but 
is not limited to: the provision of physiological, psychological, 
spiritual, social and emotional care; essential health care, 
comfort measures, health teachings; executing health care 
techniques and procedures; and, traditional and innovative 
approaches to individuals, families and communities from 
conception to death.
(k) 
"Nursing Personnel System" refers to a system of human 
resource management in an institution that classifies the 
structure, organization, and coordination within the workforce 
both in private and public health care facilities and nursing 
educational institutions to advance the welfare and protect the 
rights of the nurses and to ensure the employer-employee 
relationship, security of tenure, just compensation, humane 
conditions of work, career/professional growth.


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(I) 
"Precarious Work" is the term used to describe non-standard 
employment, such as underpayment, no payment, no security 
of tenure, no employer-employee relationship, no benefits, 
unpredictable working conditions; and deviation from the 
standard employment relationships, such as contractual, false 
volunteerism, job orders thru agencies, part time, self- 
employment, fixed term work, temporary, on call, home 
workers, telecommuting, few benefits, lack of collective 
bargaining representation, and no Job security.
ARTICLE II  
Board of Nursing
Sec. 4. Creation and Composition o f the Board. There shall be created a 
Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing (Board) composed of a Chairperson 
and six (6) members. They shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of 
the Philippines from among those recommended by the Commission and ranked 
from a list of three (3) nominees, per vacancy, of the accredited professional 
organization of nurses in the Philippines and who possess the qualification 
prescribed herein.
Sec. 5. Quaiifications o f the Chairperson and Members o f the Board. The 
Chairperson and members of the Board shall possess the following qualifications:
(a) 
Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines 
for the past five (5) consecutive years;
(b) 
Must be a member of good standing of the accredited 
professional organization of nurses;
(c) 
Must be a Nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a valid 
certificate 
of 
registration 
and 
a 
current 
professional 
identification card;
(d) 
Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing and 
preferably with a doctorate degree conferred by a college or 
university duly recognized by the government;
(e) 
Must have at least ten (10) years of continuous practice of the 
nursing profession prior to appointment; and
(f) 
Must be of good moral character and have not been convicted 
of any offense involving moral turpitude.


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The membership of the Board shall comprise the scope of nursing practice: 
nursing education, nursing service, nursing research, and nursing leadership and 
governance.
Sec. 6. Prohibition as Member o f the Board o f 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.
Sec. 7. Term o f 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 10. Administrative Supervision o f the Board, Custodian o f its Records, 
Secretariat and Support Services. The Board shall be under the administrative 
supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including application for 
examinations, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the 
Board shall be under the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall 
designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other 
support services to implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 11. Powers and Duties o f the Board. The Board shall supervise and 
regulate the practice of nursing profession and shall have the following powers, 
duties and functions:
(a) 
Ensure the proper conduct of the NLE, which includes the 
application, test development, examination, correction and 
release 
of 
results. 
The 
use 
of 
appropriate 
technology/modalities during the conduct of the NLE is 
encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding integrity;


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(b) Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration 
for the practice of nursing and ensure the widest publication 
through electronic and written media;
(c) 
Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing 
practice and exercise the powers necessary to ensure the 
maintenance 
of 
efficient, 
ethico-moral, 
technical 
and 
professional standards in the practice of nursing towards the 
optimal health and common good of the nation;
(d) 
Ensure quality nursing education by examining and monitoring 
higher educational institutions offering and seeking permission 
to open nursing education programs and to ensure that 
standards of nursing education are properly complied with and 
maintained at all times. Provided that the authority to open 
and close nursing education programs offered by higher 
educational institutions, shall be vested on CHED;
(e) 
Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints 
against 
actively 
practicing 
nurses 
for 
unethical 
and 
unprofessional conduct and violations of this Act, or its rules 
and regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena 
duces tecum and subpoena ad testificandum to require the 
appearance of respondents and witnesses and the production 
of 
documents 
and 
penalize 
with 
contempt 
persons 
obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the 
conduct of such proceedings, upon application with the Board 
of Nursing or Commission;
(f) 
Promulgate a Code of Ethics that is responsible to the needs 
of the nursing profession in coordination with the Accredited 
Professional Organization (APO) of nurses;
(g) Establish and operationalize, via necessary infrastructures, a 
National Nursing Career Progression Program to ensure 
continuing professional development of Filipino nurses, create 
the Council for Nursing Advancement, Recognition, and 
Specialization as well as the various Nursing Specialty Boards 
to assist the Board of Nursing for this purpose;
(h) 
Make decisions on matters directly affecting nurses' welfare;
(i) 
Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions with 
the provision of operational resources including human.


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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;
(j) 
Source and utilize funds earmarked for national nursing 
development; and
(k) 
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.
Sec. 12. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the close of its calendar year, 
submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines through the 
Commission 
giving 
a 
detailed 
account 
of 
its 
proceedings 
and 
the 
accomplishments during the year and making recommendations for the adoption 
of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice 
of the nursing profession.
Sec. 13. Removal or Suspension o f Board Members. The President may 
remove or suspend any member of the Board, after due process, on the 
following grounds:
(a) 
Continued neglect of duty or incompetence;
(b) Commission or toleration of irregularities in the NLE; and
(c) 
Unprofessional, immoral or dishonorable conduct.
ARTICLE I I I
Examination and Registration
Sec. 14. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE). All nursing 
graduates must take and pass the NLE as one of the requirements to obtain 
certificate of registration/professional license. The NLE shall be administered by 
the Board in such place and date as designated by the Commission: Provided 
that no nursing educational institution shall withhold any requirement and/or 
documents of any nursing graduate for the purpose of preventing them to apply 
for the NLE. All nursing educational institution must ensure that their nursing 
graduates will take the nearest scheduled NLE after graduation. Any delay in 
taking the NLE must be accordingly justified by the president, registrar or dean 
of the educational institution through a public instrument.


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Sec. 15. Scope o f Examination. The scope of the NLE shall be determined 
by the Board by taking into consideration the nursing curriculum, the broad 
scope and areas of nursing practice, core competencies, and other disciplines in 
determining the subjects of examination.
Sec. 16. Qualification for Admission to the NLE. In order to be admitted to 
the NLE, an applicant must be:
(a) A holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an 
accredited educational institution that complies with the 
standards of nursing education;
(b) Of good moral character and have not been convicted, by final 
judgment, of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or 
guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or any person 
declared by the court to be of unsound mind; and
(c) 
A citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen or subject of a country 
which permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial 
limits on the same basis as the subject or citizen of such 
country; Provided 
the requirements for the registration or 
licensing of nurses in said countries are substantially the same 
as those prescribed in this Act.
Sec. 17. Fees for Examination and Registration. Applicants for licensure 
and for registration shall pay the prescribed fees set by the Commission.
Sec. 18. Ratings. In order to the pass the NLE, an examinee must obtain 
at least seventy-five percent (75%) of tested areas of ail competencies. An 
examinee who has failed the NLE three (3) times shall be barred from taking any 
further NLE. The NLE results shall be released not later than forty-five (45) days 
from the date of NLE.
Sec. 19. Issuance o f Certificate o f Registration/Professiona! License and 
Professional Identification Card. A certificate of registration/professional license 
shall be issued to all successful examinees, subject to Section 14 of this Article. A 
certificate of registration/professional license shall show the full name of the 
registrant, the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission, and the members 
of the Board. The certificate shall bear the logo of the Board and the official seal 
of the Commission.
The Commission shall likewise issue the professional identification card. 
The card must bear the following: full name of the registrant nurse, the serial


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number, the date of issuance and expiration, the signature of the Chairperson of 
the Commission, and date of registration.
Sec. 20. Oath o f Profession. All successful examinees shall be required to 
take an oath of profession before the Board. The Board shall schedule oath­
taking ceremonies in each major region not later than forty-five (45) days from 
the date of release of the NLE results. During the oath taking the professional 
identification 
cards 
shall 
be 
released, 
together with 
the 
certificate of 
registration/professional license, to all registrant nurses.
Sec. 21. Roster o f Nurses. The Commission shall maintain a roster of 
nurses pursuant to the PRC Automated System. It shall serve as the centralized 
database for nursing professionals for purpose of documentation, statistics, 
research, and development.
Sec. 
22. 
Registration 
by 
Reciprocity. 
A 
certificate 
of
registration/professional license may be issued without examination to a nurse 
registered under the laws of a foreign state or country: Provided that the 
requirements for registration or licensing of nurse in said country is substantially 
the same as those prescribed under this Act: Provided further, that the laws of 
such country grants the same privileges to Professional Nurse of the Philippines 
on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country.
Sec. 23. Practice Through Speciai/Temporary Permit A special/temporary 
permit may be issued to the following persons based on qualification, and 
professional and moral standards as determined by the Board and approved by 
the Commission, to wit:
(a) 
Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states whose services 
are either for a fee or free if they are internationally well- 
known specialists or outstanding experts in any branch or 
specialty of nursing;
(b) 
Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states on medical 
mission whose services shall be free in a particular hospital, 
center or clinic;
(c) 
Licensed 
nurses from foreign countries/states who are 
engaged by colleges/universities offering the nursing program 
as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; 
and
(d) 
Licensed nurses from foreign countries/state who come to aid 
during declared disasters and calamities.
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This special/temporary permit shall be effective only for the duration of the 
project, medical mission or engagement contract.
Sec. 
24. 
Revocation 
and 
Suspension 
o f 
Certificate 
o f 
Registration/Professionai License and Canceiiation o f Speciai/Temporary Permit 
The Board shall have the power to revoke or suspend the certificate of 
registration/professional license or cancel the special/temporary permit of a 
nurse upon any of the following grounds:
(a) 
Conviction, by final judgment, of any criminal offense 
involving moral turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable 
conduct or any person declared by the court to be of unsound 
mind;
(b) Violation of this Act, its policies, rules and regulations, and of 
the Philippine Code of Ethics for Nurses;
(c) 
Gross 
negligence, 
grave 
misconduct, 
ignorance, 
and 
incompetence in the nursing practice;
(d) 
Fraud, concealment, misrepresentation, or false statements in 
obtaining a certificate of registration/professional license or a 
temporary/special permit;
(e) 
Practice of the nursing profession pending suspension of 
license.
Sec. 26. Reinstatement and Re-Issuance o f Revoked Certificates o f 
Registration/Professionai License. The Board may, after the expiration of a 
maximum of four (4) years from the date of revocation of a certificate of 
registration/professional license, for reasons of equity and justice, and when the 
cause for revocation has disappeared or has been cured and corrected, upon 
proper application thereof and the payment of the required fees, reinstate and 
re-issue the certificate of registration/professional license.
ARTICLE IV 
Nursing Practice
Sec. 26. Nursing Practice. The administration of nursing care through the 
utilization of the nursing process: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, 
implementation, and evaluation. Nursing practice encompasses various stages of 
development towards the promotion of health, prevention of illness, health care


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techniques and procedures, restoration of health, and alleviation of suffering, 
may it be performed independently or collaboratively.
Sec. 27. Scope o f Nursing Practice. The following are the scope of nursing 
practice: (1) nursing education; (2) nursing service; (3) nursing research; and 
(4) nursing leadership and governance. A nurse shall be deemed to be practicing 
nursing when he or she, for a fee, salary or compensation, singly or 
collaboratively, performs nursing care to individuals, families and communities.
Sec. 28. Core Competencies. In order to preserve and uphold the 
standards of nursing practice, a nurse shall possess and exercise the following 
core competencies at all times: safe and quality nursing care, management of 
resources and environment, health education, legal responsibility, personal and 
professional development quality improvement, research, records management, 
communication, collaboration and teamwork.
ARTICLE V 
Nursing Education
Sec. 
30. 
Nursing Education. 
The 
formal 
learning, 
training, 
and 
advancement in the science and art of nursing.
Sec. 31. Undergraduate Nursing Education Program. The Bachelor of 
Science in Nursing (BSN) that falls within the power and authority of the CHED. 
The National Nursing Admission Test (NNAT) is a pre-qualifying condition in the 
admission to the BSN program and shall require a passing percentage of 
seventy-five percent (75%).
BSN is a four (4)-year course that includes theoretical and related learning 
experiences both in classroom and clinical set-up that teaches, guides and 
supervises students in nursing education programs. It includes nursing services 
administration in diverse settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and other health 
facilities; undertakes consultation services; and engages in such activities that 
require the utilization of knowledge and decision-making skills of a registered 
nurse.
Sec. 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.
Graduate Nursing Education Programs and post-graduate courses shall be 
offered only in colleges with Level III Accredited Baccalaureate Nursing Programs
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according to the CHED Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSG) on Gradate 
Education.
Sec. 33. 
Continuing Professionai Education (CPE). 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.
In order to undertake nursing and healthcare human resource development, 
training and research to the advancement of the nurses' professional growth, 
such as updating skills enhancement, developing of advanced nursing practice 
shall be ensured.
ARTICLE VI 
Nursing Service
Sec. 34. Nursing Service. Is the promotion of health and prevention of 
illness which includes, but not limited to, nursing care provided by a nurse, either 
independently or collaboratively, to any individual, family or group in any health 
care setting such as hospitals, public health institutions or communities, and 
clinics.
Sec. 35. Pubiic Heaith Nursing. The public health nursing shall including 
the following functions: (1) Provide health education to individuals, families and 
communities; (2) Ensure that message on healthy lifestyle are incorporated in his 
or her health teachings; (3) Seek opportunities to promote a healthy lifestyle 
within his or her influence; (4) Accept that he or she is a role model for a healthy 
lifestyle; (5) Enable people to increase control over their health and to improve 
health; (6) Build healthy public policy; (7) Create supportive environment; (8) 
Strengthen community action for health; and (9) Establish linkages with 
community resources and coordination of services with the health team.
Sec. 36. Nursing Procedures. Nursing procedures shall include, but not 
limited to, the following: (1) Internal examination during labor in the absence of 
antenatal bleeding, attending to normal delivery and suturing of perineal 
laceration, and 
newborn care; 
(2) Administration of legal 
and written 
prescriptions 
for 
treatment, 
therapies, 
medication; 
(3) 
Hypodermic, 
intramuscular, or intravenous injections; and, (4) Wound care, ostomy care, 
suturing of lacerated wounds and removal of suture.
Sec. 37. Restoration o f Heaith in Coiiaboration with Other Members o f the 
Heaith Care Team. The restoration of health in collaboration with other members 
of the health care team shall include the following:
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(a) Cardiac care;
(b) Airway management;
(c) Blood product administration;
(d) Cast care;
(e) Chemotherapy management;
(f) Chest physiotherapy;
(g) Emergency care and triage;
(h) Enteral tube feeding;
(i) Hemodialysis;
(j) Peritoneal dialysis therapy;
(k) Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia management;
(l) Intracranial pressure monitoring;
(m) Intravenous insertion and therapy;
(n) Invasive hemodynamic monitoring;
(o) Mechanical ventilation management;
(p) Medication administration;
(q) Neurologic monitoring;
(r) Oxygen therapy, post-mortem care;
(s) Total parenteral nutrition; and
(t) Venous access device maintenance.
Sec. 38. Advanced Practice Nursing. Is a specialized and expanded nursing 
care. This practice includes the acquisition of new knowledge and skills that 
legitimize role autonomy within specific areas of practice.
ARTICLE V II
Nursing Research, Policy Development, and Planning
Sec. 39. Nursing Research and Poiicy Deveiopment Nursing research and 
policy development shall involve study and pursuit of nurse related issues 
encompassing the following areas:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Professional 
nursing 
practice 
(e.g., 
advancing 
nursing 
knowledge to ensure quality nursing care for all and advocacy 
for sound health policies globally).
Nursing 
regulation 
(e.g., 
credentialing, 
standards and competencies).
code 
of ethics.
Socio-economic welfare for nurses (e.g., occupational health 
and 
safety, 
human 
resources 
planning 
and 
policy, 
remuneration, career development).
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Sec. 40. Studies for Nursing Manpower Needs, Production, Utilization and 
Development The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional 
organization and appropriate government or private agencies, shall initiate, 
undertake and conduct studies on healthcare human resources production, 
utilization and development.
Sec. 41. Comprehensive Nursing Specialty Program. Within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in coordination with the 
accredited professional organization, recognized specialty organizations, and the 
Department of Health, is hereby mandated to formulate and develop a 
comprehensive nursing specialty program that would upgrade the level of skill 
and competence of specialty nurse clinicians in the country, such as, but not 
limited to, the areas of critical care, oncology, renal and such other areas as may 
be determined by the Board: P r o v id e d th e  beneficiaries of this program are 
obliged to serve in any Philippine hospital for a period of at least two (2) years 
continuous service.
Sec. 42. Funding for the Comprehensive Nursing Specialty Program. The 
annual financial requirement needed to train at least ten percent (10%) of the 
nursing staff of the participating government hospital shall be chargeable against 
the income of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the 
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which shall equally 
share in the costs and shall be released to the Department of Health subject to 
accounting and auditing procedures. Provided that the Department of Health 
shall set the criteria for the availment of this program.
ARTICLE V III
Nursing Leadership and Governance
Sec. 43. Nursing Leadership. Nursing is a dynamic field that requires 
leaders who will go through the changing aspects of the health sector as they 
are part of the workforce that will toil and labor for the improvement of the 
health of the citizenry. Nurses adapt specific roles in organizational structure, 
from being the policy makers in health facilities and giving guidance to senior 
management on best practices in nursing and patient care. They work with 
healthcare leaders to establish compensation and benefit programs and are 
involved in nurse recruitment, training and retention. Thus, nurses in the 
management positions shall develop patient-care programs, manage nursing 
budgets, plan new patient services, establish nursing policies and procedures, 
participate 
in 
cross-departmental 
decision 
making, 
conduct 
performance 
improvement activities and represents the scope of nursing practices at board of 
director meetings and other stakeholders.
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Sec.n 44. Nursing Governance. Governance in nursing practice is shifting 
from the traditional view that nurses are subordinate and passive employees 
towards having more proactive involvement of taking charge of the organization 
to be the antecedent in decision making and implementation of plans and 
policies for the patients and communities. Governance in the practice of nursing 
shall be encouraged to empower each nurse in decision-making over their 
professional practice while extending their power and control over the 
administrative aspect of their practice.
ARTICLE IX
Nursing Personnel System
Sec. 45. Nursing Personnel System. The nursing personnel system covers 
the following fields: nursing service administration in the hospital setting, public 
health practice, and the academe.
Sec. 46. Salary. In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to 
service, and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working 
in the public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade (SG) "15" as 
prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the "Compensation 
and Classification Act of 1989." In private health institutions, the minimum base 
pay for the nurses, upon entry, shall be equivalent to that of SG "15" in public 
hospitals.
Sec. 47. Incentives and Benefits. The Board of Nursing, in coordination 
with the Department of Health, other concerned government agencies, 
association of hospitals and the accredited professional organization, shall 
establish an incentive and benefit system in the form of free hospital care for 
nurses and their dependents, scholarship grants and other non-cash benefits. 
The government and private hospitals are hereby mandated to maintain the 
standard nurse-patient ratio.
Sec. 48. Ratio. To effectuate the quality nursing care for the patients, the 
staff nurse to patient ratio in a hospital setting (general nursing service or 
general ward) shall be set at a ratio of one is to twelve (1:12). In the barangay 
set-up, the nurse to patient ratio shall be set at one is to ten thousand 
(1:10,000): Provided\ha\. the nurse shall be the supervisors of the midwives and 
barangay health workers. There shall be a nurse for every school, may it be 
private or public, primary, secondary or tertiary, subject to the applicable ratio 
prescribed by the appropriate government agency.
Sec. 49. Nursing Service Administration in the Hospital Setting. The 
nursing personnel in the hospital is headed by a Nursing Administrator with the
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title, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). The CNO shall be the executive head of the 
nursing service of a healthcare facility.
Sec. 50. Qualifications o f a CNO. The CNO must have a minimum of eight 
(8) years related clinical experience, with at least five (5) years experience in a 
supervisory or managerial position in nursing, at least two (2) years experience 
as staff nurse in a general nursing service, at least one (1) year in specialty 
nursing area, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited 
professional organization.
Sec. 51. Duties and Responsibilities o f Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). The 
CNO shall be responsible for the full administrative aspects and shall have the 
authority for the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of the nursing 
service. The CNO shall have governance responsibility, accountability and shall 
serve as an advocate of the rights and welfare of the nursing staff in the 
hospital.
The duties of the CNO includes, but not limited to, the formulation of policies, 
strategic and operational planning, financial plan and resource allocation, 
development of procedures, and professional and organizational involvement.
Sec. 52. Responsibilities and Duties o f a Clinical Nurse Supervisor (CNS). 
The CNS refers to the middle level manager in charge of a particular nursing 
department. The CNS shall be responsible in the planning, organizing, directing, 
controlling, and implementing of policies within the area.
The CNS is in charge of planning and implementation of staff development 
programs for different categories of nursing personnel including nursing students 
and other affiliates. The CNS shall provide insights on methods and practices for 
professional 
development in 
the 
healthcare, 
health 
services and 
work 
environment. The CNS shall also initiate evidence-based researches for the 
improvement of nursing patient care.
Sec. 53. Qualifications o f a CNS. A CNS must have a minimum of five (5) 
years related clinical experience preferably in an area of specialization, must be a 
graduate of master's program in nursing, and must be a member of good 
standing in the accredited professional organization.
Sec. 54. Charge Nurse (CN). The CN shall be responsible for the 
administration and supervision of a particular Nursing Unit as well as the 
supervision of staff nurses in the unit. The Charge Nurse must have a minimum 
of two (2) years related clinical experience preferably in an area of specialization, 
must finish a minimum of 30 units of Masters in Nursing Program, and must be a 
member of good standing in the accredited professional organization.
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Sec. 55. Staff Nurse (SN). A SN is in direct contact with patients to 
perform independent, dependent, and interdependent nursing actions and follow 
the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and 
evaluation. Work experience is not necessary for this position.
Sec. 56. Public Health Practice. Nursing service shall be organized and 
operationalized in every local health agency in order to ensure the nursing 
component of public health programs. Thus, an ideal nurse in every barangay 
shall be the thrust of public health in order to provide accessible, available, and 
affordable quality health care to all. More so, a nurse in every school, may it be 
private or public, shall be prioritized in every primary, secondary and tertiary 
educational institutions in order to instill health awareness at an early stage and 
to improve the health status of the students.
Sec. 57. The Public Health Chief Nursing Officer (PHCNO). The nursing 
service and delivery of healthcare in a public health practice or community set-up 
shall be headed by the PHCNO. The PHCNO shall carry full administrative 
responsibility and shall have the authority on planning, organizing, directing, and 
controlling of public health nurses. A PHCNO must have a minimum of three (3) 
years practice in a community setting as the Community Health Nurse or Public 
Health Nurse, must have at least five (5) years experience in general nursing 
service administration, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited 
professional organization. In addition, the PHCNO in public health agency must 
be a master's degree holder in Public Health or Community Health Nursing.
The PHCNO is responsible for the formulation of policies, strategic and 
operational planning, financial plan and resource allocation, policies and 
procedure development, professional and organizational involvement to address 
epidemiologic problems and provide statistical data, and shall exercise good 
governance and accountability of the nursing personnel in a public health setting. 
The PHCNO shall also act as the advocate for the rights and welfare of public 
health nurses.
Sec. 58. Public Health Nurse Supervisor (PHNS). The PHNS shall be in 
charge of planning, organizing, directing 
and controlling activities within a 
demographic unit. A PHNS must have a minimum of three (3) years practice in a 
community setting as the Community Health Nurse or Public Health Nurse, must 
be a master's degree holder in Public Health or Community Health Nursing, and 
must be a member of good standing in the accredited professional organization.
Sec. 59. The Public Health Nurse (PHN). The PHN shall perform the 
functions and activities of health promotion, such as the prevention and 
treatment of various diseases and illnesses in a particular public setting. The PHN
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shall exercise a supervisory role to the midwives and barangay health workers 
within her catchment area. The PHN shall initiate and participate in developing 
policies and guidelines to promote basic Nursing services. A PHN must be a 
member of good standing in the accredited professional organization.
Sec. 60. Academe. The Dean of the College of Nursing (Dean) shall 
formulate policies, 
plans and adhere to the prescribed curriculum for 
advancement of Nursing education. The Dean 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, must have at least three (3) years of experience in 
teaching and supervision in Nursing education, must have at least one (1) year 
clinical experience in a general nursing service, and must be a member of good 
standing in the accredited professional organization.
Sec. 61. Faculty Coordinator. A faculty coordinator 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, must have at least one (1) year of clinical 
practice in a field of specialization, must have at least one year of experience in 
teaching in Nursing education, and must be a member of good standing in the 
accredited professional organization.
Sec. 62. Qualifications o f the Faculty. A member of the faculty in a college 
of nursing teaching professional courses must have at least one (1) 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, and must be a member of good standing in the accredited 
professional organization.
ARTICLE X
Prohibited Acts and Penalties
Sec. 63. Prohibited Acts. Any of the following shall constitute unlawful and 
illegal acts:
(a) Any 
person 
Philippines:
practicing 
the 
nursing 
profession 
in 
the
1. Without 
a 
certificate 
of 
registration/professional 
licenses and professional identification card or special 
temporary permit or without having been declared
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exempt from examination in accordance with the 
provision of this Act;
2. Who 
uses 
as 
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licenses 
and 
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identification card or special temporary permit of 
another;
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uses 
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suspended 
or 
revoked certificate of registration/professional license, 
or an expired or cancelled special/temporary permits;
4. Who gives any false evidence to the Board in order to 
obtain a certificate of registration/professional license, 
a professional identification card or special permit; or
5. Who falsely poses or advertises as a registered and 
licensed nurse or uses any other means that tend to 
convey the impression that he/she is a registered and 
licensed nurse;
6. Who appends B.S.N./R.N. after his or her name or 
Nurse/Nr. before his or her name without having been 
conferred said degree or registration;
7. Who, as a registered and licensed nurse, abets or 
assists the illegal practice of a person who is not 
lawfully qualified to practice nursing; or
8. Who advertises any title or description tending to 
convey the impression that he or she is a nurse e.g. 
using the nurses' uniform and cap without holding a 
valid certificate of registration from the Board.
(b) Any natural or juridical person, educational institution offering 
BSN without full compliance with the requirements prescribed 
by law, undertakes in-service educational programs, conducts 
review classes for both local and foreign examination without 
permit/clearance from the Board and the Commission, or 
conducts Continuing Professional Education for nurses without 
accreditation of the provided and accreditation of the program 
from the Board;
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(c) Any natural or juridical person or health facility who subscribes 
to sub-standard quality of nursing care and/or nursing 
practice, such as non-compliance with the nurse-patient ratio;
(d) Any natural or juridical person, health facility who exercises 
and promotes precarious working conditions to nurses, such 
as, but not limited to, the following:
1. Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse 
either without salary, for allowance, for salary below 
the applicable minimum wage (for nurses deployed in 
private health facilities) or below the prescribed 
salaries under this Act, whether or not under the 
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certification course and/or any seminar; or
2. Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and 
benefits as provided for by existing laws;
3. Collecting any fees from a nurse or from any person 
or entity in his or her behalf in exchange for a nurse's 
voluntary services in a health facility; or
4. Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform the 
regular work functions and/or regular work load 
expected from a regular staff nurse employed by the 
health facility without proper compensation, to render 
full-time service as a condition for the continued 
availment of his/her volunteer services, and to be the 
sole 
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on 
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except 
during 
disasters, 
calamities, and war;
5. Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer 
nurse or nurse trainee in order to fill up a vacant 
position that requires the hiring of a full-time regular 
employed nurse, or for free in exchange for any type 
of certification to be issued by the health facility for 
purposes of the nurse's employment application;
6. Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse, 
under the pretext of training or certification course, 
but requires him/her to 
render the tasks and 
responsibilities of a regular staff or public health 
nurse, with the so-called allowance with or without
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benefits, which is below the applicable minimum wage 
for both private and public institutions;
7. Availing 
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contractualizaion and job order type of employment;
(e) Any violation of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 64. Sanctions. A fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos 
(P100,000.00) nor more than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) or 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years, or both, 
upon the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon violation of any 
prohibited acts enumerated in Section 63 (a) hereof.
A fine of not less than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) nor more 
than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less 
than one (1) year nor 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.
Sec. 65. Refund 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 wages for services rendered.
ARTICLE XI 
Miscellaneous
Sec. 66. Impiementing Agencies. The Department of Health is hereby 
designated as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and 
implementation of the provisions of this Act by public health facilities. The 
Department of Labor and Employment is designated as the agency tasked with 
monitoring the compliance with and implementation of the provisions of this Act 
by private health facilities. The Commission and the Board is designated as the 
agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and implementation of the 
provisions of this Act by educational institutions, CPE providers and health 
facilities. The CHED is similarly designated as the agency tasked with monitoring 
the compliance with and implementation of the provisions of this Act by 
educational institutions with regard to nursing education programs and its 
curriculum.
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Sec. 67. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be charged to the General Appropriations Act immediately upon 
effectivity hereof.
Sec. 68. Ruies and Regulations. Within ninety days (90) after the 
effectivity of this Act, the Board, Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget 
and Management the Department of Health and other concerned government 
agencies, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to 
carry out the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall 
be published in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Sec. 69. Separability Clause. Should any provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
operational.
Sec. 70. Repeating Clause. Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the 
"Philippine Nursing Act of 2002" is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, 
orders, circulars, issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 71. Effectivity. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
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