TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 JUL 10 P4:35 SENATE S. No.. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002, PROVIDING FOR AN ADVANCED NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM EXPLANATORY NOTE Filipino nurses are world-renowned for their competence, compassion, and professionalism. These qualities have long earned the trust of patients and the respect of medical professionals both in the Philippines and internationally. Their skill and dedication form the backbone of our country's healthcare system, especially in crisis and public health emergencies. The Philippines is the leading source of foreign-trained nurses, with an estimated 25 percent of the global nursing workforce abroad coming from our shores. These nurses send home over $1 billion in annual remittances, reflecting their significant economic contribution.l However, this global demand has also contributed to a continuing shortage of nurses in our hospitals and communities-a concern that threatens the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in the country. It is therefore essential that we invest in high-quality nursing education, advanced training, and continuing professional development. The purpose is not to 1 https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/10/29/nurses-migration-shortages-pandemic-philippines-uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
encourage further migration, but to equip Filipino nurses to lead, innovate, and thrive within our own healthcare system. The proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9173, or "Philippine Nursing Act of 2002," by establishing an Advanced Nursing Education Program that will open opportunities for Filipino nurses to pursue graduate-level education and specialization. Through this, we aim to cultivate a new generation of nurse leaders, clinical experts, educators, and researchers who will elevate the standards of care in our hospitals, rural health units, and academic institutions. By expanding the educational pathways for nurses, the measure affirms the value of the nursing profession and strengthens the delivery of healthcare services to the Filipino people. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 10 P4:35 SENATE S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002, PROVIDING FOR AN ADVANCED NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Advanced Nursing
2 Education Act of 2025".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
assume responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession 6 by instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education, humane working 7 conditions, better career prospects and a dignified existence for our nurses.
Sec. 3. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the Philippine
Nursing Act of 2002 is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 25. [Nursing Education Program. The nursing education program shall provide sound general and professional foundation for the practice of nursing. The learning experiences shall adhere strictly to specific requirements embodied in the prescribed curriculum as promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education's policies and standards of nursing -education.] NURSING EDUCATION. -
NURSING EDUCATION SHALL REFER TO THE FORMAL LEARNING AND TRAINING IN THE SCIENCE AND ART OF NURSING PROVIDED BY HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS DULY RECOGNIZED AND ACCREDITED BY THE CHED. THERE SHALL BE STANDARD BASIC AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR NURSING EDUCATION WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7722, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CHED LAW". =
Sec. 4. A new Section 26 is hereby inserted after Section 25 of RA 9173, to
read as follows: "SECTION 26. BASIC AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR NURSING EDUCATION. - THERE SHALL BE A BASIC PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION WHICH SHALL PROVIDE SOUND LIBERAL AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, AND SHALL EQUIP BASIC NURSING STUDENTS WITH THE NECESSARY COMPETENCIES FOR ENTRY-LEVEL SAFE AND QUALITY NURSING PRACTICE. THE CURRICULUM AND RELATED LEARNING EXPERIENCES SHOULD INCLUDE ENGLISH CLINICAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND IMMERSION TO ENCOURAGE MORE GRADUATES TO WORK IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. ADMISSION TO THE BASIC PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION SHALL REQUIRE PASSING A NATIONAL NURSING ADMISSION TEST (NNAT). THE CURRICULUM AND THE RELATED LEARNING EXPERIENCES MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL NURSING CORE COMPETENCY STANDARDS TO BE PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD AND IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE POLICIES, STANDARDS, AND GUIDELINES OF THE CHED.
THERE SHALL ALSO BE A GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION WHICH SHALL BE A POST BACCALAUREATE NURSING PROGRAM, WHICH BUILDS ON THE EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS OF A NURSE TOWARDS MASTERY, EXPERTISE, AND LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION. SUCH PROGRAMS WILL DEVELOP HIGHLY SPECIALIZED SKILLS NEEDED FOR NURSING PRACTICE IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF ADVANCED NURSING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO; ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING, AMBULATORY CARE NURSING, CRITICAL CARE NURSING, PALLIATIVE CARE NURSING, REHABILITATION NURSING, AND OTHER SPECIALIZED FIELDS OF ADVANCED NURSING. IT SHALL INCLUDE A MASTER'S DEGREE AND DOCTORATE DEGREE IN NURSING FOUNDED ON THE PHILOSOPHIES, AND THE SCIENTIFIC BODY OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE. GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR NURSING EDUCATION SHALL BE OFFERED ONLY IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS PRESCRIBED BY THE PREVAILING CHED POLICIES, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION. THE FACULTY-TO-STUDENT RATIO MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARD TO BE DETERMINED AND PRESCRIBED BY THE CHED ."
Sec. 5. Section 26 of RA 9173 is hereby renumbered to Section 27.
Sec. 6. Section 27 of RA 9173 is hereby renumbered and amended,
to read as follows: "Section 2[718. Qualifications of the Faculty. - [A member of the faculty in a college of nursing teaching professional courses must:
(a) Be a registered nurse in the Philippines; (D) Have at least one (1) year of clinical practice in a field of specialization; (c) Be a member of good standing in the accredited professional organization of nurses; and (d) Be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, education, or other altied medical and health sciences conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. In addition to the aforementioned qualifications, the dean of a college must have a master's degree in nursing. He/she must have at least five (5) years of experience in nursing.] (1) BASIC PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION. - A MEMBER OF THE FACULTY IN A COLLEGE OF NURSING TEACHING PROFESSIONAL COURSES: (A) MUST BE A REGISTERED NURSE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND HOLDER OF A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND A CURRENT PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION; (B) MUST HAVE AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS OF NURSING PRACTICE; (C) MUST BE A HOLDER OF A MASTER'S DEGREE IN NURSING, CONFERRED BY A UNIVERSITY DULY RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; AND (D) MUST HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING PROFICIENCY, OR ITS EQUIVALENT, TO BE ISSUED BY THE BOARD OF NURSING. (2) GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR NURSING EDUCATION. - A MEMBER OF THE FACULTY TEACHING GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL COURSES: (A) MUST FOLLOW PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) ABOVE ON BASIC NURSING EDUCATION; AND
(B) MUST BE A HOLDER OF A DOCTORAL DEGREE IN NURSING CONFERRED BY A UNIVERSITY DULY RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES."
Sec. 7. Section 28 of RA 9173 is hereby renumbered as Section 29, and all
succeeding sections of the same Act are hereby renumbered accordingly.
Sec. 8. Implementing Guidelines. — Within thirty (30) days after the effectivity
of this Act, the Board and the Professional Regulatory Commission, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education and other concerned government agencies, shall formulate such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions unaffected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations and other executive issuances, which are not consistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended.
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazzette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,