QuestionsQuestions (PRC BOARD OF NURSING Resolution NO. 27-94)
Section 12, Article III of R.A. No. 7164 (Philippine Nursing Act of 1991) empowers the Board to give written examinations to applicants for nursing licensure.
Section 4(b), Article III of R.A. No. 7164 authorizes the Board to describe the subjects in the Nurse Licensure Examination and determine the syllabi and their relative weight.
Section 15 of R.A. No. 7164 authorizes the Board to determine the scope of the examination, considering the objectives of the nursing curriculum, broad areas of nursing, related disciplines, and competencies.
It superseded the previous system and scope of the Nurse Licensure Examination and adopted an Integrated Comprehensive Nursing Licensure Examination (ICNLE) starting in May 1994.
Fundamentals of Nursing; Maternal and Child Nursing; Community Health Nursing; Nursing of Adolescents, Adults and Aged; and Mental Health Nursing.
Instead of subject areas, the ICNLE consists of four (4) tests organized around major goals of nursing: Test I (Promotive), Test II (Preventive), Test III A & B (Curative), and Test IV (Rehabilitative).
Test I—Promotive goal; Test II—Preventive goal; Test III A & B—Curative goal; Test IV—Rehabilitative goal.
The resolution states there is a need for an exam that better measures the competencies of new nursing graduates for safe and effective practice.
The resolution notes the DECS revised BSN curriculum is competency-based and community-oriented, with goals responsive to the country’s health needs; the exam is meant to better measure those competencies.
The Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing in the Philippines (ADPCN) requested the Board of Nursing to give the ICNLE starting 1994 (approved by ADPCN in October 1993).
ADPCN, in collaboration with the Board of Nursing, conducted and continues to conduct nationwide Seminar Workshops on the development of competency-based achievement tests.
It cites virtue of Sections 4(h) and 10, Article II of R.A. No. 7164 as the legal basis for adopting and superseding the system and scope of the exam.
The resolution shall be effective upon approval by the Commission.
It becomes effective after fifteen (15) days following publication thereof in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier.
It must be disseminated and circularized widely to every College of Nursing in the country for the information and guidance of all concerned.
It indicates the licensure examination scope and structure should align with the objectives of the nursing curriculum, broad nursing areas, related disciplines, and—most importantly—competencies needed for safe and effective practice.