QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 877)
It is known as the "Philippine Nursing Law."
It is composed of a chairman and two members, appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service, chosen from registered nurses of recognized standing, as certified by the officially recognized national association of nurses in the Philippines.
It may issue, suspend, revoke, or reissue certificates of registration; study nursing education and practice; maintain ethical, technical, moral, and professional standards; study and examine facilities of hospitals/universities seeking permission to open nursing schools; investigate violations; and recommend/enact measures for enforcement and advancement of the profession.
A member must be: (1) a Philippine citizen and resident; (2) a registered nurse with at least a Bachelor of Nursing or BS Nursing (or equivalent) majoring in nursing education or public health nursing; (3) at least 30 years old; (4) at least 10 years of successful nursing practice; and (5) not be a member of faculty in the one year immediately preceding appointment in a school/university where undergraduate nursing is taught, and have no pecuniary interest in such institution.
Each member holds office for three years or until successors are appointed and duly qualified. The first Board has staggered terms: one member for one year, one member for two years, and one member for three years. Any vacancy is filled only for the unexpired portion.
The Commissioner of Civil Service is the Executive Officer. The Secretary of the Boards of Examiners appointed under RA No. 546 is also the Secretary of the Board for Nurses.
All records and minutes, including examination papers, are kept by the Bureau of Civil Service under the direct custody of the Secretary.
Unless exempt from registration, no person may practice or offer to practice nursing in the Philippines without a valid certificate of registration issued by the Board.
A person who, for a fee, salary, or other reward, performs professional nursing services requiring understanding of nursing principles and procedures based on biological, physical, and social sciences—including responsible supervision of a patient requiring skilled observation of symptoms and reactions, causes and effects—and who engages as a nursing instructor.
No. The provision does not apply to nursing students performing nursing services under the supervision of their nursing instructors/professors, nor does it apply to exchange professors of nursing.
Examinations are given on the last Monday of April and October each year in Manila or at such other place as the Board deems necessary and expedient, subject to approval of the Commissioner of Civil Service and the President of the Philippines.
A general rating of 75% in the written test, with no rating below 60% in any subject.
If the candidate fails first but obtains 75% in at least five subjects, they may take a second examination only on the subjects where they scored below 75%, within one year from the date of the first examination.
They must take re-examination on all subjects within one year from the date of the second re-examination. If still failing, they must pursue a prescribed course of study and show proof of completion before being admitted to a fourth examination.
The Board refuses to issue a certificate of registration, and must provide a written statement of reasons which is incorporated in the Board’s records.
Grounds include causes mentioned in the refusal section, and also unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetency, serious ignorance or negligence in nursing practice, and using fraud, deceit, or false statements to obtain a certificate.
Examples include practicing nursing without a certificate (or exemption), using someone else’s certificate, giving false/forged evidence to obtain a certificate, using a revoked/suspended certificate, assuming/advertising oneself as a registered nurse (including using R.N. or B.S.N. without entitlement), advertising with impressions of being a nurse (like using uniform/cap without valid registration), and other violations of the Act.
Upon conviction, imprisonment of not less than one year nor than five years, or a fine of not less than PHP 1,000 nor more than PHP 5,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.