National Core Competency Standards for Filipino Nurses

(Republic Act 9173)

The Republic Act 9173 provide a comprehensive definition and understanding of

the nursing profession. It guides the professional nurses on the quality of care and health

care services they provide to the clients as they practice their profession in the work field.

Republic Act 9173 is a set of laws and rules made by the National Government to protect

the nurses and the client legally in particular situations. Therefore, it is a must for a

professional nurse to be accustomed to this competency standard. Most especially when

working outside the country. Being familiar to this will help nurses to protect each other

as they work fully and effectively in every setting they are in.

The competencies enlisted are patient care competencies, empowering

competencies, enhancing competencies and enabling competencies. Patient care

competencies are more on seeking to establish more on concentration to client’s needs.

Empowering competencies focuses to practices in accordance with the nursing law and

other relevant legislation. Enhancing competencies are into the accurate documents and

records. Enabling competencies is about quality improvement and researches in nursing

practice. This competencies will enhance and develop the work done by the professional

nurses. It gives them principles on how they can develop a more productive and safe

environment for the community.

With all this competencies, “malpractice” is being prevented from happening.

Since, there are a lot of issues regarding this matter are happening. From this, as future

nurse this should be a lesson for me and for my fellow nurses to be equipped by ethical

principles and good judgement as it is our right and responsibilities. ♥

Elishah Rose B. Capricho RR11