Describing laboratory and related learning experience (RLE) expenses as “dagdag pasanin (extra burden)” to nursing students, senatorial candidate Bam Aquino vowed to push for additional funding and scholarships to cover these if he wins another seat in Senate.
Senatorial candidate Bam Aquino with nursing students in Cebu City. (Bam Aquino Media Bureau)
Aquino, who met nursing students in Cebu City on Wednesday, March 26, listened to their grievances about the expenses they incur for the RLE, which is equivalent to an on-the-job training (OJT) and one of the requirements to graduate nursing.
“We can include RLE to be a part of the scholarship programs. Right now, hindi siya kasama (it is not included),” the senatorial candidate, who is the principal author of the Free College Law, said.
He added that he would push for more support for nursing students so they can comply with their requirements for graduation if he wins in the May 2025 midterm polls.
Aquino also underscored that increased support for nursing students meant that more will be encouraged to enroll in the course and enter the industry.
This will eventually address the existing problem in the high nurse-patient ratio because of the lack of nurses in the country.
“Damihan natin ang pagpasok ng nurse para mapunuan natin iyong mga hospital dito (Let us encourage more nurses to fill our hospitals here),” the senatorial candidate added.
One of the conditions of the scholarships with RLE is that nursing graduates must render a three-year service in local hospitals.
However, Aquino said he is mulling the possibility of looking into the implementation of the RLE, as it could be contributing to the high number of dropouts among nursing students.