PNP Nurses Specialty Training Guidelines

Scope, definitions, and coverage

The term “Specialty Training” means the training of PNP nurses in the various fields of nursing care enumerated in paragraph 5.1.
The term “PNP nurses” refers to PCO, PNCO and NUP Nurses assigned with the Health Service.
Specialty Training applies to nurses seeking training opportunities to enhance professional growth through specialization.
Specialty Training is available through training coordination with private and government hospitals offering specialty training.

Policy goals and selection philosophy

The policy of the PNP Health Service is to institutionalize a uniformed and standard system of selecting candidates for specialty training.
The selection system ensures availability of training opportunities for all nurses based in the seniority lineal list and their potential for professional growth.
The Chief, Nursing Service Division, through the Director, PNP Health Service must coordinate with private and government hospitals that offer specialty training.
Training opportunities must be programmed and disseminated to all interested/qualified nurses who signify their intention to avail of the opportunity.
Candidates must be recommended in writing by their superior officer/chief of office.
Specialty Training is not considered equivalent of any PNP mandatory career courses.
The Director, PNP Health Service must create a PNP Nurses Specialty Training Board, chaired by the incumbent Chief, Nursing Service Division.

Specialty programs and training periods

Specialty Training for nursing specializations must follow the maximum period shown per specialization or the prescribed curriculum of the training institution.
Nursing Administrative specialty training lasts a maximum of One (1) year.
Flight Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of One (1) year.
Diabetic Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Dialysis Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
EENT Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Intensive Care Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
OB-Gyne Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Oncology Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Operating Room Nurses specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Orthopedic Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Pediatric Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Psychiatric Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.
Trauma Nursing specialty training lasts a maximum of Six (6) months.

Place of training and OJT requirement

Specialty training is conducted as On-the-Job Training (OJT) because the PNP Health Service does not have the necessary training facilities.
Qualified nurses must undergo OJT in different private and government hospitals with approved and accredited training programs.
Approval and recommendation for training in the private/government hospitals must be made through the chain of: recommendation of the Chief, Nursing Service Division through the Director, PNP Health Service, and approved by the Chief, Philippine National Police.
Specialty trainees must render another six (6) months of OJT at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) for actual practice/application of the specialty training.
The circular establishes training as a transitional arrangement until the PNPGH can train PNP Nurses in different field of specialties.

Candidate limits, qualifications, and duties

Specialty training of PNP nurses must not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total nurse’s strength.
A qualified candidate must have a permanent appointment, attested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
A qualified candidate must have no pending case filed in any court of law or administrative body.
A qualified candidate must have been in the service for at least three (3) years.
A qualified candidate must be physically and mentally fit to undergo training.
A qualified candidate must be willing to be assigned in any Health Service facility where the gained professional expertise is needed.
A qualified candidate must have no outstanding financial obligation in previous specialty training grants.
A qualified candidate must have no pending application or recommendation for scholarship or training grants.
Each specialty trainee must complete the training within the specified period indicated in the specialty course.

Emoluments and financial support

All specialty trainees are entitled to an additional daily Training Subsistence Allowance (TSA) of Thirty Pesos (P30.00).
All specialty trainees are entitled to a monthly allowance for instructional materials of One Hundred Pesos (100.00).
The allowance for instructional materials is chargeable against Health Service Training Funds.
Payment and charging of these allowances are subject to availability of funds and auditorial rules and regulations.

Service obligations and contract terms

PNP nurses recommended for training must sign a Specialty Training Contract with the CPNP.
The specialty training contract must require the trainee to render service obligation or return service to the organization.
The return service depends on the duration of training, using the following contractual terms:
- Twenty four (24) months of training requires return service of Four (4) years.
- Six (6) months to one (1) year of training requires return service of Two (2) years.
- Three (3) months but not more than Six (6) months of training requires return service of One (1) year.
- Below three (3) months of training requires return service of Six (6) months.
If a trainee fails to satisfy the required service obligation for reasons within the trainee’s control, the trainee must refund all expenses incurred by the PNP incidental to the specialty training.
The trainee’s refund is charged against any benefits due the trainee, including but not limited to salary and allowances.
Refund and charging of benefits must not prejudice further legal action.
The Director, Health Service implements the terms and conditions in the contract.

Deferment, reporting, and training leave rules

Requests for deferment are not entertained once the personnel is selected and recommended for schooling, except for the following reasons:
- The personnel becomes sick or incapacitated such that the condition prevents attendance; the condition must be certified by the Chief, PNPGH or the Regional Health Officer.
- A criminal or administrative case is filed before the convening of the course or during schooling, where the case prevents attendance or affects schooling; “filed” means the case has been submitted to the person or body with jurisdiction to decide the matter on the merits.
- A member of the personnel’s immediate family—parents, spouse, and children—dies, and the personnel’s presence is necessary such that the situation affects training/schooling.
- During disaster/calamities where the personnel or immediate family are victims, and the situation prevents regular attendance of classes.
The Chief, Nursing Service Division must monitor specialty trainees and submit reports of their performance to the Director, PNP Health Service.

Academic break and leave deductibility

Academic break/leave is not treated as a special leave.
Approved academic break/leave must be deductible from the cumulative leave credits of the PNP personnel concerned when the personnel applies for academic break.
Authorized academic break periods are applied by course duration as follows:
- For courses less than six (6) months, authorized academic break is Seven (7) days excluding Sundays & Holidays.
- For courses six (6) months to one (1) year, authorized academic break is Fifteen (15) days excluding Sundays and Holidays.
- For courses more than one (1) year to two (2) years, authorized academic break is Thirty (30) days excluding Sundays and Holidays.

Institutional responsibilities and approvals

The Chief, PNP approves specialty training of PNP nurses upon the recommendation of the Chairman, PNP Nurse Specialty Training Board, through the Director, PNP Health Service.
The Director, PNP Health Service is the OPR (officer(s) responsible) in implementing the circular.
The Chief, Nursing Service Division must maintain records and reports of all proceedings of the Board and of those who avail of specialty training.
The Chief, Nursing Service Division must monitor the status of each individual specialty trainee and submit appropriate reports to the CPNP attention: DHRDD, through the Director, PNP Health Service.
The Director, Health Service, through the Chief, Nursing Service Division, must design a Program of Instructions for upgrading the qualification standards of PNP nurses.

References, rescission, and effectivity

The circular references PNP Memorandum Circular No. 99-006 (Guidelines and Procedures in the Residency Training of Medical Officers).
The circular references PNP Memorandum Circular No. 99-014 dated 08 November 1999 (Guidelines and Procedures in the Specialty Training of Dental Personnel).
The circular rescinds and/or modifies all prior publications inconsistent with its provisions.
The circular effectivity is fifteen (15) days from filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center, consistent with Sections 3 & 4, Chapter 2, Book VII of Executive Order No. 292, as amended.