By Trisha Casabar
There is no provision in the law that grants any government agency the authority to issue temporary licenses to nursing graduates who have yet to pass the licensure examination, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) stressed Thursday, June 22.
“Sa RA (Republic Act) 9173, walang probisyon na nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan ang PRC o any government agency na magbigay ng temporary license sa mga nursing graduates na hindi pa po nakakapasa ng Nursing Licensure Examination,” PRC Commissioner Dr. Jose Cueto Jr. explained in a Laging Handa public briefing.
Under the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, the issuance of Practice Through Special/Temporary Permit only applies to licensed nurses from foreign countries.
According to Cueto, the two previous licensure examinations conducted in November 2022 and May 2023, which logged an average of 74%, surpassed the 60% passing rate over the past six years.
“Dati kasi, sinasabi ng mga nasa educational institutions na dahil doon sa pandemya, sa COVID pandemic at natigil ‘yung mga face-to-face na classes or interactions between students and faculty members and clinical instructors, [ay] bababa siguro ang passing percentage kasi nandoon sila sa mga bahay nila at online learning lang ‘yung mga activities na nakaya,” the commissioner said.
“But surprisingly, itong November 2022 at May 2023 ay parehong 74%,” he noted.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier said the Department of Health (DOH) is finding solutions to the 4,500 unfilled nurse items in DOH hospitals.
In order to address the issue, Herbosa plans to hire nursing graduates who scored 70% to 74% in the board exam, provided that they will retake and pass the licensure exam.
Cueto, in response, noted that healthcare institutions should prioritize quality assurance and would not compromise the safety and well-being of patients.
“[Doon] sa binitawan ni Secretary Ted Herbosa, ang nakalagay is ‘yung program na iniisip niya is under supervision ng mga registered nurses ang mga ito. So sa programa na sinabi niya [ay] bibigyan sila ng position pero under direct supervision sila ng registered nurses,” he explained. – cf
