Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9173)
The title of Republic Act No. 9173 is the "Philippine Nursing Act of 2002."
The State assumes responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education, humane working conditions, better career prospects, and a dignified existence for nurses. The State guarantees the delivery of quality basic health services through an adequate nursing personnel system throughout the country.
The Board is composed of a Chairperson and six (6) members appointed by the President from among recommendees of the Professional Regulation Commission, chosen from nominees of the accredited professional organization of nurses in the Philippines who meet the qualifications prescribed by the law.
They must be natural born citizens and residents of the Philippines, registered nurses who are holders of a master’s degree in nursing or allied medical profession, members of good standing in the accredited professional organization of nurses, with at least ten years of continuous practice in the profession (five of which must be in the Philippines), and must represent the areas of nursing education, nursing service, and community health nursing.
The Chairperson and members hold office for a term of three (3) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. They may be reappointed for another term.
Grounds include continued neglect of duty or incompetence, commission or toleration of irregularities in the licensure examination, and unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable conduct.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or citizens of countries that allow Filipino nurses to practice under substantially similar laws, be of good moral character, and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from a recognized institution complying with government standards.
An examinee must obtain a general average of at least 75% with no rating below 60% in any subject. If an examinee scores below 60% in any subject but has a general average of 75% or higher, they must retake the examination only in those subjects with less than 60% and pass with at least 75%.
A fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) nor more than One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000), or imprisonment from one (1) year to six (6) years, or both, at the court’s discretion.
Practicing nursing includes initiating and performing nursing services singly or in collaboration, providing care during various life stages, promoting health, preventing illness, collaborating with health teams, and undertaking teaching, consultation, research, and nursing human resource development.