IRR of Philippine Nursing Act of 2002

"New Nursing Act": RA No. 9173, Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.
"Commission": Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
"Board": Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing.
"Nursing Practice": Includes nursing education, nursing services, and community health nursing.
"Professional Nurse": Registered nurse authorized to practice, listed in PRC registry.
"Practicing Professional Nurse": Engaged actively or occasionally in nursing.
"Foreign Professional Nurses": Licensed foreign nurses authorized to practice under RA No. 8981 provisions.
"Nursing Specialty Program": Training for specialized nursing skills.
"Public Health Institution": Organizations pursuing public health aims via services, research, training, management, or advocacy.
"Accredited Professional Organization (APO)": Philippine Nurses Association or accredited nursing organizations.

Board consists of Chairperson and six members representing nursing education, service, community health.
Appointed by the President from nominees submitted by APO, with strict screening and ranking procedures.
Chairperson and majority must hold master's degree in nursing; members must be natural-born Philippine citizens with minimum 10 years practice.
Terms last three years, limited to two terms; oath required before duties.
Members may be removed or suspended for neglect, incompetence, irregularities, or unethical conduct.
Chairperson and members must resign from conflicting teaching or employment positions upon appointment.

Conduct licensure examinations, issue/suspend/revoke certificates and licenses.
Monitor and enforce nursing practice standards.
Ensure quality nursing education by assessing nursing schools and recommending course approvals or closures.
Investigate and resolve complaints of unethical/unprofessional conduct.
Issue subpoenas and punish contempt in investigations.
Promulgate Code of Ethics and Technical Standards for nursing.
Recognize nursing specialty organizations based on jointly developed criteria.
Issue rules for advancing the profession and enforcing nursing laws.
Submit annual report to the Commission detailing activities and recommendations.

Applicants must pass written examinations conducted by the Board, compliant with RA No. 8981.
Qualifications include Philippine citizenship (or reciprocity), good moral character, and nursing degree from recognized school.
Passing requires an average rating of at least 75% with no subject below 60%; removal exams allowed within two years.
Oath-taking mandated before practicing.
Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional ID cards upon payment of fees.
Automatic registration for existing nurses on registry at Act’s effectivity.
Registration by reciprocity granted to qualified foreign nurses.
Special/Temporary Permits for foreign nurses under specific conditions (medical missions, expertise, teaching).
Grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension include moral turpitude, unethical conduct, malpractice, fraud, or violation of laws and regulations.
Revoked certificates may be reissued after four years if justifiable.

Nursing education must align with national and universal core competencies under CHED policies.
Nurses inactive for five years require refresher training and practicum at Board-accredited hospitals.
Faculty qualification: registered nurse, at least one year clinical experience, master’s degree in nursing or allied field.
Dean of nursing must possess master’s in nursing and five years supervisory experience.

Nursing includes services to individuals, families, communities across life stages, emphasizing health promotion, illness prevention, and collaboration with health teams.
Duties include nursing care, health education, community resource linkage, supervision, consultation, and human resource development.
Nurses must abide by Code of Ethics and maintain competence via continuing education.
Nursing students perform functions only under direct faculty supervision.

Supervisory nursing positions require registration, two years administration experience, relevant graduate courses, and membership in APO.
Chief Nurses require additional years of management experience and a master's degree.
Military hospital chief nurses require additional qualifications including General Staff Course.
Transitional period allowed for incumbents to comply.

Board to conduct studies on nursing manpower needs and formulate specialty training programs.
Specialty programs target skill upgrading in critical fields with mandatory service periods.
Funding to be sourced equally from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Minimum salary for nurses in public institutions set at Salary Grade 15 level.
Incentives limited to non-cash benefits such as hospital care, scholarships, and enforced nurse-patient ratios.

Practicing nursing without lawful registration/license or permit subject to fines (P50,000–P100,000) or imprisonment (1–6 years), or both.
Illegal use or possession of certificates, fraud in obtaining license, false advertising, and abetting illegal practice penalized.
Conducting nursing education or review without permit and violation of pay/incentive provisions also punishable.

Commission and Board tasked with enforcing the Act and IRR provisions.
Law enforcement agencies to provide assistance upon request to ensure compliance.
Initial and continuing funding to be appropriated in Commission’s budget as per General Appropriations Act.
Separability clause preserves remainder of IRR if any provision is declared invalid.
All conflicting orders or resolutions superseded.
IRR effective 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or two national newspapers.