Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9173)
The official title is the 'Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.'
The State assumes responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures to ensure relevant nursing education, humane working conditions, better career prospects, and a dignified existence for nurses, guaranteeing quality basic health services through an adequate nursing personnel system.
The Board is composed of a Chairperson and six (6) members appointed by the President from the recommendees of the Professional Regulation Commission and nominees of the accredited professional organization of nurses.
They must be natural-born Filipino citizens, members of good standing in the accredited nurses organization, registered nurses holding master's degrees (majority in nursing, Chairperson specifically in nursing), have at least ten years continuous practice (five years in the Philippines), not convicted of moral turpitude, and represent the areas of nursing education, nursing service, and community health nursing.
The Chairperson and members serve a term of three (3) years and 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 for the nursing license must pass a written examination. Applicants must be Philippine citizens or citizens of countries granting reciprocal privileges, be of good moral character, and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from a recognized institution.
An examinee must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) without any subject below sixty percent (60%). Failure to pass a subject below 60% requires retaking only that subject, with a passing grade for retake being 75%.
Penalties include fines ranging from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand pesos (P50,000 to P100,000) and/or imprisonment from one (1) to six (6) years, or both at the court’s discretion.
Prohibitions include practicing without a valid license or permit, using another’s license, using invalid or suspended licenses, falsifying documents, posing as a registered nurse falsely, unlawful use of nursing credentials, assisting illegal practice of nursing, conducting review classes or educational programs without permits, and violating salary and benefit provisions.
They are required to undergo one (1) month didactic training and three (3) months practicum accredited by the Board before returning to practice.
The minimum base pay for nurses in public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade 15, as prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758 (Compensation and Classification Act of 1989).
Faculty members must be registered nurses, have at least one year clinical practice in a specialization field, members of good standing in the accredited nurses organization, and hold a master’s degree in nursing, education, or allied medical/health sciences.
Nursing practice involves initiating and performing nursing services singly or collaboratively across various stages of life in healthcare settings, including health promotion, illness prevention, health education, consultation, supervision of nursing students, and upholding ethical codes and continuing professional education.
The Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing supervises and regulates nursing practice, conducts licensure exams, issues or revokes certificates, enforces standards, monitors education quality, and adopts necessary guidelines subject to review by the Professional Regulation Commission.