Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 Overview

State policy to protect and improve the nursing profession.
Ensure relevant nursing education and humane working conditions.
Guarantee quality basic health services nationwide through adequate nursing personnel.

Creation of a Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing with a Chairperson and six members.
Members appointed by the President from nominees of the Professional Regulation Commission and accredited professional nursing organizations.
Qualifications include natural-born Filipino citizenship, master’s degree in nursing or allied fields, ten years of practice, and representation from nursing education, service, and community health.
Board members must resign from teaching or government employment to avoid conflicts of interest.
Term of office is three years, with possible reappointment.
Board under administrative supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, which holds its records.
Board mandated to conduct licensure exams, regulate nursing practice, monitor standards, recommend opening or closure of nursing schools, conduct disciplinary hearings, promulgate a Code of Ethics, and recognize specialty organizations.
Board submits annual reports to the President through the Commission.
Presidential authority to remove or suspend board members for neglect, misconduct, or irregularities.

Licensure examination required for all nursing practice applicants, conducted by the Board.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or citizens of reciprocal countries, of good moral character, and holders of a BS Nursing from recognized institutions.
Examination scope determined by the Board, focusing on nursing curriculum and competencies.
Passing requires a 75% general average with no subject below 60%, with retakes allowed for failed subjects.
Successful candidates must take an oath before practicing.
Issuance of certificate of registration/professional license and professional ID card upon passing and fee payment.
Automatic registration of existing rostered nurses.
Registration by reciprocity for foreign nurses from countries with equivalent standards.
Special/temporary permits for foreign nurses for specific purposes like medical missions or academic exchanges.
Registration denied to persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, immoral conduct, or declared unsound mind.
Powers to revoke, suspend, or cancel registrations or permits for violations including unethical conduct, malpractice, fraud, or breaches of the Act.
Re-issuance of revoked certificates possible after a maximum four-year period.

Nursing education must provide sound general and professional foundation as per Commission on Higher Education standards.
Nurses inactive for five years must undergo retraining.
Faculty in nursing colleges must be registered nurses with clinical experience and a master’s degree in nursing or allied fields; deans must meet higher qualifications.

Nursing practice defined broadly including care across all life stages and settings.
Nurses must perform health promotion, illness prevention, collaboration with healthcare teams, education, supervision, consultation, training, and research.
Nursing practice must comply with Code of Ethics and require continuing education.
Nursing service administrators must be registered nurses with specific education and experience; chief nurses have additional qualifications.

Board to conduct studies on nursing manpower needs and development.
Board mandated to develop comprehensive nursing specialty programs.
Minimum base pay for public health institution nurses set at salary grade 15.
Funding for nursing specialty programs shared equitably by government gaming offices.
Incentives and benefits system to include free hospital care, scholarships, and maintenance of nurse-patient ratios.

Criminal penalties for unlicensed practice, use of false certificates, false representation, unauthorized review classes, and violation of salary/incentive provisions.