A free online board exam review is offered to unlicensed nurses who are planning to retake the nurses licensure examination in November.
Photo courtesy of AFP / Manila Bulletin
Dr. Carl E. Balita, a registered nurse and former senatorial candidate, launched the "Free National Nursing Review" project on Monday, June 26, with members of the press and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa.
The initiative is supported by the DOH and is in partnership with key organizations, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Quezon City, the Philippine Hospital Association, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, and the Association of Nursing Services Administrators of the Philippines, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Carl E. Balita
This is open to those employed in government and private hospitals and other health institutions nationwide, and only 10,000 slots are available.
To register, participants may visit any of the 180 Carl E. Balita Review Center (CBRC) branches across the country, take the diagnostic test, and create a username and password at the CBRC portal.
Registration is already ongoing, and the official start of training is on July 1, Balita advised.
Review materials will be readily available on the portal, and instructors and participants will follow a structured program throughout the review duration.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Carl E. Balita
"CBRC is here to offer its 16 years of experience in bridging the dreams towards licensure and it is about time we move everyone to help our country as we always do," Balita said.
He noted that this is his "gift" to the health department and his way of helping address the nursing shortage in the country.
Balita hoped that this would also "attract" non-passers currently working in business process outsourcing, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and other industries to return to nursing and help DOH's implementation of the Universal Health Care Law.
While the free review training is intended for the upcoming batch of board retakers, Balita assured that he "doesn't mind creating another batch" for next year, given the strong support from various organizations.
Reviewers also have no obligation to render specific years of service in the country once they pass the board.
Balita is also a registered midwife and teacher and the founder of CBRC.
He is an advocate for health, professionals, and the education sector.
He was the senatorial bet of Aksyon Demokratiko in the May 2022 elections and ran under former presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.