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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Giving temporary licenses to nursing board exam flunkers not allowed under the law --- PRC 

Giving temporary licenses to nursing board exam flunkers not allowed under the law --- PRC 

Published Jun 22, 2023 11:07 am
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Thursday, June 22, said the issuance of temporary licenses to nursing graduates who did not pass the Nursing Licensure Examination is not allowed under the law.  Photo credit to PRC/Manila Bulletin


“Wala[ng] probisyon na nag bibigay ng kapangyarihan ang PRC o any government agency na mag bigay ng temporary license sa mga nursing graduates na hindi pa naka pasa ng nurse licensure examination (There is no provision that allows the PRC or any government agency to issue temporary licenses to nursing graduates who have not yet passed the nurse licensure examination), PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto, Jr. said in a televised public briefing.  Cueto was referring to the Republic Act (RA) 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 following the announcement of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa that the Department of Health (DOH) plans to tap nurses, specifically those who have 70 to 74 percent marks in board exams, as additional workforce.  READ:  [https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/19/herbosa-to-tap-nursing-grads-with-70-74-board-rating-as-add-l-workforce](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/19/herbosa-to-tap-nursing-grads-with-70-74-board-rating-as-add-l-workforce) Cueto stressed that without the law amendment, they cannot change the provision where the standard for passing the board exam is 75 percent and no subjects should be below 60 percent. Herbosa’s plan to hire unlicensed nurses has been drawing mixed reactions from various stakeholders.  The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), for instance, said the planned program was “risky” and should be studied further since the scope of work for them remained “unclear.”  READ:  [https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/20/hiring-unlicensed-nurses-is-risky-says-ph-nurses-assoc-head](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/20/hiring-unlicensed-nurses-is-risky-says-ph-nurses-assoc-head) Cueto, on his part, noted that based on Herbosa’s statement, the program would include the participation of registered nurses who will supervise those hired without a license.  “So sa programa na sinabi niya [Herbosa] na bibigyan sila ng posisyon pero under-direct supervision sila ng registered nurses (So in the program that he said, they will be given a position but under the direct supervision of registered nurses),” Cueto said.  Those who passed the Nursing board exams, Cueto said, were able to satisfy the requirements and were given the “privilege of practice” or “independent practice.”  Specifically, he cited section 21 of RA 9173 or the "Practice Through Special/Temporary Permit."  Under DOH’s plan, Cueto said nursing graduates who did not pass the board exams will be under the supervision of the registered nurse, thus, they will not be “covered by the strict provision” of the law since they are not “into the independent practice of the profession.”  Cueto noted that in the health profession, the patient's “safety and welfare" remain the priority. Thus, fresh graduates were usually assigned to lighter workloads in hospitals.  “Meron naman pong quality assurance mechanism sa lahat po ng health care institutions par mapanatili yung pangangalaga sa mga pasyente (There is a quality assurance mechanism in all health care institutions to maintain the care of patients,” he added. *(Sonny Daanoy)*

Related Tags

Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) Department of Health (DOH) Ted Herbosa
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