Republic act 9173- change in the Philippines nursing act of 2002 from R.A.

7164, the Philippine nursing act of 1998, taken from the implementing rules and regulations of R.A. 9173.

Composition of the board of nursing- the board of nursing is now composed of a Chairman and 6 members instead of a Chairman of 4 members. y Submission of names of qualified nominees by the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) to the Commission, 3 nominees per vacancy, not later than 3 months before the vacancy. y The Commission submits to the office of the President 2 nominees per vacancy not later than 2 months before the vacancy occurs. The appointment must be issued not later than 30 days before the scheduled licensure examination.
y

Qualifications of Board Members

Educational requirement of members of the Board is not limited to registered nurses with the masters degrees in education, or the allied medical profession provided that the Chairperson and majority of the members are holders of a Masters degree in nursing. Of the 10 years of continuous practice of the profession prior to appointment, the last 5 years must be in the Philippines.This was not specified in R.A. 7164. The section that states that the Board members must not be a green card holder (Art III Sec. 5e R.A. 7164) does not appear in the new law.

Powers and Duties of the Board, Art. II Sec. 11 added:

Adopt and regulate a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for the practice of nursing within 1 year from effectivity of this Act. Recognize specialty organizations in coordination with accredited professional organizations.

Licensure Examination and Registration

Special Dates of Examination has been deleted (R.A. 7164 Sec. 14). Specific dates of examination- not earlier than 1 month and not later than 2 months after the closing of each semestral term. Specific age of applicants to take the examination to be at least 18 years of age has been deleted (R.A. 7164 Sec. 13b)

Ratings, Sec. 17 R.A. 9173

Specific number of times an examinee may take the licensure examination has been deleted (R.A. 7164 Sec. 16 3rd paragraph). Added: Removal examination shall be taken within 2 years after the last failed examination.

Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration.

Added: Sec. 23f for violation of R.A. 9173, the Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Code of Ethics, the Code of Technical Standards for Nursing Practice, and policies of the Board and of the Commission. Sec. 23g. Added: For practicing the profession during the period of suspension. Period of suspension of the certificate of registration/professional licensure not to exceed 4 years.

Rule IV, Nursing Education

Sec. 26, Rule 1 Added: requirement for inactive nurses returning to practice Nurses who have not actively practiced the profession shall undergo 1 month of didactic training and 3 months of practicum. Sec. 27, Qualification of Faculty- Requirement of clinical experience in a field of specification has been reduced from 3 years to 1 year in the field of specialization. The Dean of the College of Nursing must have at least 5 years of experience in teaching and supervising a nursing education program. Note: An increase from 3 years as specified in R.A. 7164.

Rule V, Nursing Practice

Scope of Nursing- Duties and Responsibilities of the Nurse:

Deleted: Special training in intravenous injection Note: Nursing Service Administration still require formal training in this aspect for the safety of the patient, the protection of the nurse and of the agency/institution where the patient is being treated or confined.

Added: Special training for suturing the Lacerated Perineum Sec. 25a y Note: This is being undertaken by the Association of Nursing Service Administration of the Philippines (ANSAP) with the Maternal and Child Association of the Philippines (MCNAP). y Added: Observe the Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards of Nursing Practice. Maintain competence through continual professional education.
y

Qualification of Nursing Service Administrators.

Sec. 30. Priority in Appointment y A.1 For appointment as Chief Nurse in the Public Health Agency, priority shall be given to those who have Masters degree in the Public Health/Community Nursing. y A.2 For appointment as Chief Nurse in Military Hospitals, priority shall be given to those who have Masters Degree in Nursing and completion of a General Staff Course (GSC).
y

. Rule VI, Health Human Resource Production and Utilization Additions: y 11.1 Sec. 32. Comprehensive Nursing Specialty Program. The Board is mandated to formulate and develop a comprehensive nursing specialty program that would upgrade the level of skills and competency of specialty nurse clinicians in the country.
y

Sec. 33. Salary. Minimum base pay of nurses in public health institutions shall not be lower than first step or hiring rate prescribed for Salary Grade 15 pursuant to R.A. 6758, otherwise known as the Compensation and Classification Act of 1989. For nurse working in Local Government units, adjustments in salaries shall be in accordance with Sec. 10 of the same Act.

Sec. 34. Funding for the Comprehensive Nursing Specialty Program. The annual financial requirement to train at least 10 percent of nursing staff of the participating hospital shall be chargeable against the incomes of the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes.

Sec. 35. Incentives and Benefits. Incentives and benefits shall be limited to non-cash benefits such as free hospital care for nurses and their dependents, and scholarship grants. As part of the improved working condition of nurses, the government and private hospitals are mandated to maintain the standard nurse-patient ratio set by the Department of Health.

12. Rule VII. Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions y 12.1 Penalty for violation of this act in fines has been increased (from not less than 10,000 pesos nor more than 40,000 pesos as specified in R.A. 7164) to not less than 50,000 pesos nor more than 100,000 pesos. y Imprisonment of not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years from R.A. 7164 increased from not less than 1 year or more than 6 years, or both fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of the Board.
y

Penalty and fine are not only for those who practice nursing under circumstances prohibited by the Act but also for persons or employers of nurses of judicial entities who undertake review classes for foreign or local examination without permit from the Board; or violate the minimum base pay of nurses, incentives and benefits; or any provision of this Act as implemented by its IRR.