PROFESSIONAL ADJUSTMENT
on medical mission whose services
A professional nurse - completed a basic nursing
education program & is licensed to practice
The professional nurse must:
● Have a license
● Have a BSN degree
● Be physically and mentally fit
LICENSE
● A legal document by the gov’t that permits a
person to offer his/her skills and knowledge in a
jurisdiction where such practice would otherwise be
unlawful without a license.
● Primary purpose of registration - protect people's
health by establishing minimum standards qualified
practitioners must meet.
● Discourages persons who misrepresent themselves
as RN.
● Professional License - Certificate of
Registration (COR)
REGISTRATION
● Recording of names of persons qualified to practice
their profession.
● Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, RA 9173, Section
12 and 20 - licence in nursing shall be issued by
examination or reciprocity.
1.) Registration by Reciprocity
● SEC 20. May be issued WITHOUT
examination to RNs registered under laws
of FOREIGN STATE or COUNTRY.
● Requirements for registration in the said
country are substantially the SAME under
this Act.
2.) Registration by Examination
● SEC 12. Issuance of COR or professional
identification card shall pass a written
examination given by the Board in places
& date designated by the Commission.
Examination should comply with RA No.
8981 - The PRC Modernization Act of
2000
3.) Practice through Special/ Temporary Permit
● Issued by Board to the approval of
Commission & upon payment of fees to:
○ RNs from foreign countries/states
whose services are either for a fee
or free if they are internationally
well-known specialists or experts
○ RNs from foreign countries/ states
shall be free
○ RNs from foreign countries/ states
employed by school/colleges of
nursing as exchange professors in
a branch/specialty of nursing
● Special/temporary permit shall be effective
only for the duration of the project, medical
mission, or employment contract.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN
NURSING
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
● planned learning experiences beyond basic educ.
● Inculcation of advanced knowledge, skills & ethical
values in a post-licensure specialization or in an
inter-or multidisciplinary field of study, for
assimilation into professional practice, self-directed
research, and/or lifelong learning
● RA 10912 (Continuing Professional
Development Act of 2016)
○ Required CPD credit units per year: 15
units
○ PIC renewal: every 3 years; 45 CPD units
● E.g. seminars, conventions, residency, distance
learning
In-Service Education
● Planned program by employing agency to
employees
● Major goal: not only the improvement of
professional practice but also the fullest
development of nurses as a person and as a
contributing member of society focuses on and is
designed to re-train people, to improve their
performance and communication ability to get them
started in the never-ending continuum of education.
NURSING ETHICS
- Examination of all ethical and bio-ethical issues
from the perspective of nursing
Teleological Approach
● Telos - "goal or end"
● "The right thing to do is the good thing to do"
● Good - promotion of happiness / greatest net
increase of pleasure > pain
Deontological Approach or Duty-oriented Theory
● Immanuel Kant
1
 ● Morally good if actions done from a sense of duty &
reason
Virtue Ethics Approach
● Focus: Heart of the person
● Traits and virtues of a good person
BIOETHICAL PRINCIPLES
1.) Autonomy
● Voluntary decision-making
● Auto - self; nomos - governance
● Self-determination and freedom to decide
for oneself
● Ex. Patient refuses medication. Priority
action of RN - document then inform MD
● Eligibility Criteria:
○ Legal age (18 yo & above)
■ Emancipated minor law is
NOT applicable in PH
○ Sound mind
● Right to Informed Consent
○ Who gives the consent? Patient
○ Who explains and obtains the
consent? MD/Physician/Doctor
○ Who secures and witnesses the
consent? RN
○ Nurse witnesses 5 things:
■ Actual conversation
between PT and MD
■ Full explanation from the
doctor
■ Patient fully understands
■ Pt voluntarily accepts
■ Pt voluntarily signed
2.) Paternalism
● “Paternal” -> Father -> head of the family ->
the one who decides
● MD is the one who decides
● Withholding autonomy of pt for his benefit
because his condition might be unstable
● Ex. S/P MI patient has decreased O2
demand, the doctor orders complete bed
rest without bathroom privileges
● Ex. A Jehovah’s witness patient had a
vehicular accident. She has no form of
identification. The MD decides for the
patient for blood transfusion.
● Applied if the client is
incapacitated/vulnerable:
○ Children
○ Minors
○ Intoxicated
○ Mental illness
○ Coma
○ Delirium & dementia
3.) Veracity
● Truth-telling or honesty
● But do NOT tell everything ->
BENEVOLENT DECEPTION -> “white lies”
or withholding the truth from the patient for
his benefit because the pt’s condition might
be unstable.
● Ex. There was a vehicular accident and
every family member died except for father.
Father is comatose for 6 months. He woke
up and asked how was his family? Answer:
Don’t tell the members of the family died.
The doctor has the burden to tell the truth.
○ Refer to MD.
4.) Beneficence
● Doing good or TO DO
● Acts of kindness and mercy that benefit the
pt
● Promote health of the pt, prevent illness,
alleviate suffering, & assist towards
peaceful death if the inevitable comes
● Ex. The patient has fever and the RN
provides a tepid sponge bath.
5.) Non-maleficence
● “Do no harm” or TO PREVENT or to protect
● Stated as admonition in the negative form
● Action that promotes client’s safety
○ Ex. A 4-month-old patient has a
fever and the doctor ordered 5 ml
of paracetamol, the nurse
questions the order.
○ Not assisting persons to commit
suicide
○ Not performing euthanasia or
mercy killing
○ Not willfully subjecting patients to
experimental drugs
○ Not harming a person's reputation
by revealing confidential
information
6.) Justice
● Fairness and equal treatment to all patients
that are similarly situated
● Triage, Prioritization, Scarcity of resources
2
 ● If the same situation, justice is not
applicable.
7.) Fidelity
● Loyalty, faithfulness, keeping promises
● Ex. Being a member of PNA (required),
attending seminars or trainings
○ RN and the profession -> RN has
to be a member of the accredited
professional organization - PNA
(Philippine Nurses Association)
● Being proud of the profession of nursing
8.) Principle of Epikia
● “Exception to the general rule" -> being
flexible
● Reasonable presumption the authority
making the law will not wish to bind a
person in a particular case even though it is
covered by the letter of the law
● Ex. O2 administration when pt is already in
distress, applying restraints if the pt is
combative and harmful to others and self
(dependent nursing interventions)
● Allowing a relative to see a seriously-ill
patient who expresses the desire to see
although it is not yet visiting hours.
9.) Two-fold or Double Effect
● Presence of GOOD and BAD effects in a
situation, the basis of action are the ff:
○ Action must be morally good;
○ Good effect = willed; bad effect =
merely allowed;
○ Good effect must NOT come from
an evil action but from the Initial
action itself directly
○ Good effect > bad effect
● Ex therapeutic abortion on ectopic
pregnancy, chemotherapy kills cancer cells
with SE of alopecia, giving Tramadol to
alleviate pain despite SE of drowsiness and
N/V
10.) Totality
● “The whole is greater than the sum of its
parts"
● Ex. Amputation
11.) Confidentiality
● Protection of client’s INFOrmation or case
● The only ones who can access information
about the patient are those who are
professionally & directly involved in pt
care or if it is allowed by law.
● Who owns the chart? Both pt & hosp
○ Upon admission & the information
of chart = patient
○ Upon discharge & the document
itself = hospital
● Exemption: Client consent, court order,
medico-legal cases, communicable dx,
compromised safety
● EMR / Informatics:
○ Access & password should be
changed periodically
○ Log off / lock the computer
● “Seal of Secrecy” - forever or lifetime
● Subpoena duces tecum - a court order
asking a person to appear in court to bring
along records, reports, and documents
within his control.
○ Ex. Progress notes written by RN
● Subpoena ad testificandum - a court order
asking a person to appear in court to testify
or become a witness.
○ 2 types of witness:
■ Ordinary witness - within
his/her personal knowledge
■ Expert witness - within the
field of specialization or
expertise
12.) Privacy
● Protection of patient’s body from
unwarranted exposure
● Private parts & private properties
● Ex. use of drapes, draw curtains, aesthetic
clinic posting pictures of pt before and after
13.) Anonymity
● Anonymous
● Do not disclose the name of the patient to
protect his/her identity
● Ex. use of initials
14.) Respect
● Unconditional positive regard
15.) Stewardship
● Valuing the gift of creation and life
● Preserve life
● “Do not kill”
16.) Utility
● To promote comfort and pleasure
3
 ● Ex: ADLs, elimination (catheterization;
commode, bedpan), positioning
***********************************************************
CONSENT TO MEDICAL AND SURGICAL
PROCEDURES
Consent
● Free and rational act that presupposes knowledge
of the thing to which consent is being given by a
person who is legally capable
● Obtained from the patient or authorized
representative (parent or guardian)
NATURE
● Nurse - secures consent upon admission
● Physician obtains the consent.
● To substantiate the consent, a written consent form
is needed as proof against any liability.
> Legal protection for hosp, MD, and RN
*Remember: “If it was not charted, it was not observed or
done”
Nurses’ Notes
● Fully, accurately, legibly, and promptly
● Not only meds & Tx, also S/Sx of pt
● Medical diagnosis & understanding pt behavior
● Late entry - put the word Addendum
● Error - horizontal line, “mistaken entry”, sign
● Best time - after doing assessment/procedure
Nurses Roles
● SAFEGUARDING record from loss or destruction or
access by persons who are not legally authorized
Medical Records in Legal Proceedings
● Medical records librarian (subpoena duces tecum)
● Protected from unauthorized handling & change

ELEMENTS OF INFORMED CONSENT ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

1.) Diagnosis & explanation of condition ● Living will
2.) Explanation of procedures & consequences ○ Directive given by pt he wants to receive if
3.) Alternative treatments & when he gets into respi arrest
4.) Description of benefits ○ Can be revoked anytime by pt
5.) Material rights ○ Can be seen in the chart
6.) Prognosis if refused ○ Applicable in PH
○ Oral will (deathbed) or nuncupative (written)
PROOF OF CONSENT ○ E.g. DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), DNI (Do
Consent Form is signed to show that the person consents Not Intubate)
and he/she understands the nature of the procedure, the
risks involved and the possible consequences. ● Durable Power of Attorney
○ Pt legally assigns a person who will decide
WHO MUST CONSENT? on his behalf for his treatment
● Minor
○ Parents or guardian ***********************************************************
○ If minor is married or emancipated, parental
consent is not needed TORTS
■ However, emancipated minor law is Legal wrong, committed action against a person or
NOT applicable in PH property independent of contract which renders the
● Mentally Ill person who commits it liable for damages in a civil action
○ Parents or legal guardian
● Emergency Situation INTENTIONAL TORTS
○ No consent or IMPLIED consent
● Consent for Sterilization ASSAULT
○ Husband and wife if intentional ● Imminent threat of harmful or offensive bodily
○ Patient alone if medical necessity & contact
sterilization is incidental ● Verbal threat (pagbabanta)
● E.g. A nurse threatens to restrain patient if he will
MEDICAL RECORDS not take his medicine.
Purposes
> Saves duplication & aids in prompt treatment BATTERY
> Rich material for research
4
 ● Intentional, unconsented physical touching of
another person
● E.g. When a patient refuses an injection and the
nurse gives it anyway
FALSE IMPRISONMENT OR ILLEGAL DETENTION
● Unjustifiable detention of a person without a legal
warrant intended to result in such confinement
● Incorrectly led to believe pt cannot leave a place
● If the patient is insisting on leaving, probable
consequences of their action must be explained by
MD, and then he is allowed to go HAMA/DAMA.
INVASION OF RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND BREACH OF
CONFIDENTIALITY
● The right to be left alone, the right to be free from
unwarranted publicity and exposure to public view
● Privacy - person or identity
○ Curtains are closed during physical
examination
● Confidentiality - data/info about pt.
○ Patient's charts are not shared or discussed
to people that are not part of the HCT.
DEFAMATION
● Character assassination, be it written or spoken
1.) Slander - oral / spoken (Sabi)
2.) Libel - written (Lapis)
● There must be a third person who hears or reads
the comment
UNINTENTIONAL TORTS
NEGLIGENCE AND MALPRACTICE
Standard
- Desired and achievable level of performance which
actual is compared
- Benchmark against which to plan, implement and
assess the quality of services
NEGLIGENCE
● Commission or omission of an act, pursuant to duty,
that a reasonably prudent person in the same or
similar circumstance would or would not do, and
acting or the non-acting of which is the proximate
cause of injury to another person or his property
Elements
1. Existence of duty
2. Failure to meet the standard of care/Breach of duty
3. Foreseeability of harm / Proximate causation
4. Injury to the Plaintiff
Examples
- Failure to report observations to MD
- Mistaken identity
- Wrong medicine, wrong concentration, wrong route,
wrong dose
- Defects in the equipment that may lead to injury to
the pt
RES IPSA LOQUITOR
● "The thing speaks for itself"
● The injury could not have happened if someone
was not negligent that no further proof is required
● Ex. Scalpel left behind after appendectomy
3 CONDITIONS TO ESTABLISH NEGLIGENCE WITHOUT
PROVING SPECIFIC CONDUCT:
1.) The injury was of nature that it would not occur
unless there was a negligent act
2.) Injury was caused by the agency within the control
of the defendaNt
3.) PlainTiff himself did NOT engage in any manner
MALPRACTICE
● Improper or unskillful care of a patient by a nurse
● Stepping beyond one's authority WITH serious
consequences
● A negligent act committed in the course of
professional performance (Lesnik, 1962).
FORCE MAJEURE
● Irresistible force, one that is unforeseen or
inevitable that cannot be prevented
● Ex. natural calamities, disaster
RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR
● "Let the master answer for the acts of the
subordinate"
● Liability is SHARED between the employee and
employer
● NOT a shift of liability from the subordinate to the
master.
CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP
● Principle of medical-malpractice law, holding a
surgeon liable for the actions of assistants who are
under the surgeon’s control but who are employees
of the hospital, not the surgeon
Incompetence
● Lack of ability, or legal qualifications and being unfit
to discharge the required duty
***********************************************************
5
 CRIMES, MISDEMEANORS, AND FELONIES
Crime
- Act committed or omitted in violation of law
Elements
1. Act itself
2. Evil/criminal intent
● Murder -> the unlawful killing of a human
being with intent to kill
● Homicide -> the unlawful killing of a human
being with intent to kill
● Parricide -> → a crime committed by one who
kills his/her father, mother, or child whether
legitimate or illegitimate or any of his/her
ascendants or descendants of his/her spouse
● Infanticide -> the killing of a child less than 3 days
of age
● Abortion -> the expulsion of the product of
conception before the age of viability
● Assistive Suicide
○ Signs of Suicide
■ Sudden elation of mood
■ Giving of valuables
■ Saying goodbye
■ Verbalizes suicidal plan
● Substance Abuse
○ “impaired nurse” → a nurse should
REPORT a colleague if suspected to be a
substance abuser to the nurse manager
● Workplace / Lateral Violence
○ Bullying, power tripping
○ A nurse should CONFRONT the one at
fault before reporting to the nurse manager
Conspiracy
● PRINCIPAL
○ Direct part in the execution of the act
○ Directly force or induce others to commit
○ Mastermind of crime: principal by
inducement
● ACCOMPLICE
○ Cooperates in execution by
previous/simultaneous act
○ Had knowledge of criminal intention of P
● ACCESSORY
○ Have knowledge of commission of crime
○ Take part by profiting themselves or
assisting offender to profit from effects of
crime
○ Provides exit strategy
1.) Those who cooperate in the commission of the
offense by another act without which it would have
been accomplished → PRINCIPAL BY
COOPERATION
2.) Have the intention to help morally or materially in
committing the crime → ACCOMPLICE
3.) Those who directly force or induce others to commit
the act → PRINCIPAL BY INDUCEMENT
4.) Those having knowledge of the commission of the
crime without having participated therein →
ACCESSORIES
5.) The persons who have a common criminal purpose
with the principal → ACCOMPLICE
FELONY
● With deceit or fault
● Major public offense for which a convicted person is
liable to be sentenced to death or to be imprisoned
in a penitentiary or prison
ACCORDING TO DEGREE OF ACT
1.) CONSUMMATED -> All elements necessary for its
execution and accomplishment are present.
● Thus crime was successful ( ✓, ✓)
2.) FRUSTRATED -> Offender performs all the acts or
execution which will produce felony. But did not
produce felony by reasons independent of the will
of the perpetrator
● All the elements of execution are complete,
but crime was not successful ( ✓, ✖ )
3.) ATTEMPTED -> Offender commences the
commission of the same directly by overt (open or
manifest) acts. Does not perform all the acts or
execution which shall produce the felony
● Elements of execution were not complete
thus crime was not successful ( ✖, ✖ )
CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING CRIMINAL LIABILITY
Justifying Circumstance
● No criminal liability because the act itself is justified
as reasonable.
● Ex. Self-Defense, defense of family & stranger
○ Elements of Self-Defense
1.) Unlawful aggression
2.) Necessity of means employed
3.) No sufficient provocation of
attacker
6
 ● If one of 3 elements is LEGAL ASPECTS OF NURSING
lacking -> incomplete
self-defense & becomes LAW
mitigating circumstance ● Sum total of rules & regulations by which society is
● Ex. Fulfillment of a lawful order or duty governed
● Ex. State of necessity ● Man-made & regulates social conduct in a formal
and binding way
Exempting Circumstance ● Rule of conduct by authority which may be enforced
● No criminal liability because the person who
committed the crime is exempted. Two Classifications of Law According to Origin
● Insane or imbecile 1.) DIVINE LAW
● Below nine (9) years old - parents would pay dmgs ● Author is God (eg: 10 commandments)
● Force majeure/Natural calamity causes injury 2.) HUMAN LAW
● Lucid Interval - the person has a normal state of ● Author is man
mind during a lucid interval
Public Law
Mitigating Circumstance ● Affects the general public (i.e. criminal laws —
● Decreases criminal liability or penalty euthanasia, abortion, theft, robbery)
● Because of equity and justice Private Law
○ Voluntary surrender ● Affects the relationship of both individuals
○ Confession of guilt
○ Provoked Functions of Law Nursing
○ Below 18 years old & above 70 years old ● Provides a framework to establish what nursing
○ Blind, deaf, and mute actions in the care of patients are legal
● Delineates the nurse's responsibilities from
Aggravating Circumstance those of other health professionals
● Increases criminal liability ● Helps to establish the boundaries of independent
● Ex. Abuse nursing actions
○ Cruelty ● To maintain a standard of nursing practice by
○ Abuse of authority making persons accountable under the law
○ Crimes in times of calamity (Looting,
profiteering) ***********************************************************
● Treachery
● Insult to authority CODE OF ETHICS
● Premeditation - Systematic guides to develop ethical behavior
● Committed for reward - Answers normative questions of what beliefs and
● Committed by means of fire, poison values should be morally accepted.
● Public position
● Use of superior strength CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED NURSES
BOARD OF NURSING
Alternative Circumstance Board Resolution No. 220, Series of 2004 approved last
● Degree of Education 14th day of July, 2004.
● Degree of Intoxication (on alcohol or on prohibited
drugs as defined by RA 9165 - Comprehensive PREAMBLE
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) SECTION 1.
● Relationship ● Hea1th is the fundamental right of every individual
○ In the presence of relationships, cases of ● The primary respons1bility of RN is to preserve
theft, malicious mischief, estafa and health at all cost.
swindling are mostly mitigating ● Promotion of health, prevention of illness,
circumstances. alleviation of suffering, and restoration of health.
● If not possible, assist towards a peaceful death.
***********************************************************
SECTION 2.
7
 ● CulTWOral, social, spiritual, physiological, 4. Patient Advocate
psychological, and ecological aspects
● Utilizing the therapeutic process SECTION 9.
● Cultural diversity political & socio-economic status Guidelines
a. Patient’s bill of rights
SECTION 3. b. Provide all pertinent information
● To attain and maintain the highest possible degree c. Uphold the pt’s rights when conflict arises abt care
of ethical conduct - purpose of 3thics
SECTION 10.
ARTICLE II Ethical Principle
REGISTERED NURSES AND PEOPLE 5. Professional, ethical, moral, and legal dimensions

SECTION 4. SECTION 11.

Ethical Principles
1. Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs
2. Individual freedom to decide (Autonomy)
3. Strict confidence (Confidentiality)
SECTION 5.
Guidelines
a. Individuality and totality of patients
b. Spiritual beliefs and practices; diet & Tx
c. Uphold the rights
d. Consider culture and values
ARTICLE III
REGISTERED NURSES AND PRACTIC3
Ethical Principles
SECTION 6.
1. Human life is inviolable.
2. Quality and excellence - the goal of N. practice
3. Accurate documentation is the hallmark of
nursing accountability
SECTION 7.
Guidelines: RN must
a. know the definition and scope of nursing
Practice (RA 9173)
b. be aware of their duties and responsibilities
c. Develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes
d. Administrators - provide favorable environment
e. Specialty certification by BON thru Nursing
Specialty Certification Council (NSCC).
f. Optimum standard
g. Safe nursing practice
h. Minimizing occurrences of ineffective & unlawful NP
i. Patients’ records - available only to those who are
professionally & directly involved in the care and
when they are required by law
SECTION 8.
Ethical Principle
Guidelines: RNs must
a. In comformity w/ laws, rules, regulations, measures,
principles of moral conduct & proper decorum
b. Not allow in advertisement that demean the image
of nursing
c. Decline any gift, favor or hospitality
d. Not demand and receive any commission, fee or
emolument
e. Avoid any abuse of the privilege relationship
ARTICLE IV
REGISTERED NURSES AND CO-WORKERS
SECTION 12.
Ethical Principles
1. Solidarity
2. Collegial & collaborative
SECTION 13.
Guidelines: RNs must
a. Maintain their professional role/identity
b. Acceptable, ethico-legal standards.
c. Professional growth and development
d. Actively participate in professional organizations
e. Not act in any manner prejudicial
f. Honor & safeguard reputation and dignity (Slander)
g. Respect rights of co-workers
ARTICLE V
RN, Society, and EnVironment
SECTION 14.
Ethical Principles
1. Preservation of life (stewardship), respect for
human rights, promotion of healthy environment
2. Establishment of linkages with the public
SECTION 15.
Guidelines: RNs must
a. As citizens, be involved in community concerns
8
 b. Take active roles in primary health care
c. Actively participate in respond to societal problems
d. Conformity with the principles of right conduct and
proper decorum.
e. Image that will uplift the nursing profession at all
times
ARTICLE VI
RNs and the ProfesSIon
SECTION 16.
Ethical Principles:
1. Loyalty to the nursing profession
2. Compliance with the by-laws of PNA
3. Continual learning
SECTION 17.
Guidelines
a. be members of the Accredited Professional
Organization (PNA).
ARTICLE VII
Administrative Penalties, Repealing Clause, and
EffectiVIIy
SECTION 18.
COR shall either be revoked or suspended for violation of
any provisions of this Code pursuant to Sec 23 Article IV of
RA No 9173 and Sec. 23, Rule III of Board Res. No 425,
Series of 2003, the IRR.
● Suspension - license still with you, prohibited to
practice the profession momentarily or for a certain
period of time
● Revocation - license is taken away from you
○ maximum of 4 years under the ff:
■ If act is equity & justifiable
■ if cause of revocation has been
disappeared, cured, and corrected
○ BON revokes COR
***********************************************************
CODE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
● Promulgated by the PRC on July 23, 2003
● Hallmark of ALL professionals - willingness to
accept a set of professional and ethical principles
which they will follow in their DAILY lives.
● Adopted by PRC & 42 Professional Regulatory
Boards
***********************************************************
RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING
● Repeals the 1st Nursing Act - RA 7164 of 1991
● Signed by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF NURSING
SEC. 3. Creation and Composition of Board
● 1 Chairman
● 6 Members
● Appointed by the President of the PH - 1pervacancy
● 2 recommendees per vacancy by PRC/Commission
● 3 nominees per vacancy (ranked) by PNA
SEC. 4. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of
the Board.
● Natural born citizen & resident of PH
● A member of good standing of PNA
○ Anastacia Giron-Tupas → founder of PNA;
1st executive secretary
○ Rosa Montemayor Delgado → 1st
president of PNA
● An RN and has master’s degree in nursing,
education or other allied medical professions
○ Chairperson has MAN
○ Majority of board members have MAN
● At least 10 yrs of continuous practice prior to
appointment
○ Last five (5) years should be here in PH
● Not have been convicted of any offense involving
moral turpitude
● Membership to Board shall represent the 3 areas of
nursing: nursing educ, nursing service & CHN.
To Remember:
❖ R - RN, MAN
❖ N - Natural born citizen
❖ M - Member of APO
❖ A - At least 10 years experience
❖ N - Not convicted of any crime
SEC. 5. Requirements Upon Qualification as Member of the
Board of Nursing.
● All should immediately resign from any teaching
position
● Shall not have any pecuniary interest in any
institution offering BSN inc. review classes
SEC. 6. Term of Office.
● Term of three (3) years and until their successors
have been appointed.
○ But may be reappointed for another term.
9
 ● Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term only (Ad Interim →
substitution)
SEC 7. Compensation of Board Members.
● Shall receive compensation and allowances same
with other Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs)
SEC 8. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian
of its Records, Secretariat and Support Services.
● All records are under the administrative supervision
of the Commission/PRC (custodian / keeper)
SEC 9. Powers and Duties of the Board.
● Conduct the licensure examination (PNLE)
● Issue, suspend or revoke COR
● Monitor and enforce quality standards of nursing
practice
● Ensure quality nursing education
○ Authority to open and close colleges of
nursing is in the power of CHED upon
written recommendation of BON
● Conduct hearings and investigations
○ Against RNs for unethical and
unprofessional conduct
○ Issues subpoena ad testificandum and
subpoena duces tecum
● Promulgate a Code of Ethics with APO within one
(1) year from the effectivity of this Act
● Recognize nursing specialty orgs with APO
○ ORNAP → Operation Room Nurses
Association of the Philippines, Inc
○ CCNAPI → Critical Care Nurses
Association of the Philippines, Inc.
○ ANSAP → Association of Nursing
Service Administrators of the
Philippines
● Prescribe, adopt, issue, and promulgate guidelines,
regulations, measures, and decisions
○ To be approved by PRC
○ Quasi-Legislative
SEC. 10. Annual Report.
● Submit an annual report to the President of PH thru
the PRC
○ Accomplishments, recommendations
○ At the close of its calendar year
SEC. 11. Removal or Suspension of Board Members.
● President may remove or suspend any member
AFTER having opportunity to defend him/herself
○ Continued neglect of duty or incompetence
○ Commission or toleration of irregularities in
licensure exam
○ Unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable
conduct.
ARTICLE IV
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
SEC. 12. Licensure Examination.
● All applicants are required to pass NLE given by
BON in place & time designated by PRC
○ In accordance with RA No. 8981, “PRC
Modernization Act of 2000.”
SEC. 13. Qualifications for Admission to the Licensure
Examination.
● Citizenship
○ A Filipino citizen
○ If foreign citizen - permits Filipino RNs to
also practice in their country
○ Licensing of RNs in their country should be
the same
● Good moral character
● Holder of BSN
SEC. 14. Scope of Examination.
● Determined by the Board considering objectives,
broad areas of nursing & other related disciplines
○ NP1 → CHN
○ NP2 → MCN (OB + Pedia)
○ NP3 → MSN
○ NP4 → MSN
○ NP5 → MSN + Psych
■ Day 1 → NP1 – NP3 (300 items)
■ Day 2 → NP4 – NP5 (200 items)
SEC. 15. Ratings.
● General Average - at least 75%
● With a rating of not below 60% in any subject
● If 75% average but with below 60% in any subject,
he/she must take the exam again only in that area.
○ Removal Exam
● In order to pass, he/she must obtain at least 75%
In the repeated subject
SEC. 16. Oath.
● REQUIRED to take an oath of profession before the
Board or any government official authorized
SEC. 17. Issuance of COR/Professional License and
Professional Identification Card.
● Upon payment of the prescribed fees
● COR/ professional license shall include
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 ○ Full name ❖ I – internationally well-known
○ Serial number ❖ X – exchange professors
○ Signature of Chairperson of Commission &
Members of the Board SEC. 22. Non-registration and Non-issuance of
○ Official seal of PRC COR/Professional License or Special/Temporary Permit.
● Professional Identification Card ● Convicted of criminal offense inv. moral turpitude
○ Signed by Chairperson of Commission ● Guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct
○ Date of registration ● Unsound mind
○ License number
○ Date of issuance & expiration SEC. 23. Revocation and Suspension of COR/Professional
License and Cancellation of Special/Temporary Permit.
● Any of the causes in the preceding section
● Unprofessional and unethical conduct
● Gross incompetence or serious ignorance
● Malpractice or negligence in the nursing practice
● Forda use of fraud, deceit, or false statements
● Violation of this Act
● Practicing profession during his/her suspension
* Shall NOT exceed four (4) years.

SEC. 24. Re-issuance of Revoked Certificates and

Replacement of Lost Certificates.
● For reasons of equity and justice
● Cause for revocation has disappeared or has been
SEC. 18. Fees for Examination and Registration
cured and corrected
● Shall pay set by PRC
ARTICLE V
SEC. 19. Automatic Registration of Nurses.
NURSING EDUCATION
● All nurses whose names appear at the roster of
nurses shall be automatically or ipso facto
SEC. 25. Nursing Education Program.
registered under this Act upon its effectivity.
● Provide sound general and professional foundation
● Adhere strictly to specific requirements promulgated
SEC. 20. Registration by Reciprocity.
by CHED
● RNs registered under the laws of a foreign state or
SEC. 26. Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to
country
Practice.
○ Requirements for registration or licensing of
● RNs who have not practiced for 5 consecutive
nurses in said country are the same
years shall undergo 1 month of didactic training & 3
○ Grant the same privileges to registered
months of practicum (hosp accredited by BON)
nurses in PH
SEC. 27. Qualifications of the Faculty.
SEC. 21. Practice Through Special/Temporary Permit.
● RN in PH
● RNs from foreign countries/states whose service
● At least one (1) year of clinical practice
are either for a fee or free if they are internationally
● A member of good standing in the PNA
well-known specialists or experts
● Be a holder of a master’s degree in nursing,
● RNs from foreign countries/states on medical
education, or other allied medical and health
missions whose services shall be free in a particular
sciences in a college recognized by the Gov’t.
● RNs from foreign countries/states employed by
schools/colleges as exchange professors
* DEAN of College - must have a MAN & at least five (5)
○ Special/temporary permit shall be effective
years of experience in nursing.
only for the duration of the project/contract
ARTICLE VI
To Remember:
NURSING PRACTICE
❖ M – medical mission

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SEC. 28. Scope of Nursing.
● Provide nursing care through the utilization of the
nursing process
○ In case of suturing of perineal laceration,
special training shall be provided
● Establish linkages with community resources and
coordination with the health team
● Provide health education to individuals, families and
communities
● Teach, guide, and supervise students
● Undertake nursing and health human resource
development training and research
○ development of advanced nursing practice
* This section shall NOT apply to nursing students who
perform nursing functions under the direct supervision of a
qualified faculty
SEC. 29. Qualifications of Nursing Service Administrators.
● RN in PH
● At least two (2) years experience in general nursing
service administration
● Has BSN degree w/ at least nine (9) units in
management and administration courses
● A member of good standing of APO/PNA
Qualifications of Chief Nurse or Director of Nursing
● At least five (5) years of experience in a supervisory
or managerial position in nursing
● RN, MAN
○ Chief nurses in public health agencies -
master’s degree in public health/CHN shall
be given priority
○ Chief nurses in military hospitals - priority
are those with MAN and completed General
Staff Course (GSC)
* Those occupying such positions before the effectivity of
this Act shall be given a period of five (5) years within which
to qualify.
ARTICLE VII
HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCE
PRODUCTION, UTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 30. Studies for Nursing Manpower Needs, Production,
Utilization and Development.
● Shall initiate, undertake & conduct studies on health
human resource production, utilization and
development.
SEC. 31. Comprehensive Nursing Specialty Program.
● Within 90 days from the effectivity of this Act, the
Board is mandated to formulate and develop a
comprehensive nursing specialty program that
would upgrade the level of skill and competence of
specialty nurse clinicians
* The beneficiaries of this program are obliged to serve in
any Philippine hospital for a period of at least two (2) years
of continuous service.
SEC. 32. Salary.
● RA 6758 – “The Compensation and Classification
Act of 1989”
● Salary Grade 15 → about Php 32,000
○ Government hospitals only
SEC. 33. Funding for the Comprehensive Nursing Specialty
Program.
● To train at least (10%) of the nursing staff or
participating gov’t hospital - chargeable against the
income of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation - shall equally share in the costs
SEC. 34. Incentives and Benefits.
● Free hospital care for nurses and their dependents,
scholarship grants, and other non-cash benefits
● To maintain the standard nurse-patient ratio set by
the Department of Health.
ARTICLE VIII
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 35. Prohibitions in the Practice of Nursing.
● Any person practicing nursing…
○ Without a COR
○ Uses another COR →
MISREPRESENTATION
○ Uses an expired, suspended, or revoked
COR → LICENSE SHOULD BE
RENEWED
○ Gives false evidence
○ Falsely advertises as an RN
○ Appends BSN/RN to his/her name
○ Abets or assists the illegal practice
● Conducts review classes without permit/clearance
● Violate the minimum base pay and the incentives
and benefits
● Violating any provision of this Act
Consequences
● Fine of Php 50,000 up to Php 100,000
● 1-6 years of imprisonment
***********************************************************
IMPORTANT LAWS RELATED TO NURSING PRACTICE
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● RA 6173 ○ Entitles the elderly to a 20% discount in all
○ Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public establishments
Public Officials and Employees
● RA 7600
● LOI 949 ○ Rooming-In and Breastfeeding
○ Legal basis of Primary Health Care
● RA 9288
● RA 7160 ○ Newborn Screening Act of 2004
○ Local Government Code
● RA 9262
● RA 3573 ○ Anti-Violence Against Women and the
○ Declared that all communicable diseases Children
should be reported to the nearest health
station, and that any person may be ● RA 7719
inoculated, administered or injected with ○ National Blood Service
prophylactic preparations
● RA 7875
● RA 7305 ○ National Health Insurance Act
○ Magna Carta for Public Health Workers
● PD 996
● RA 2382 ○ Compulsory Immunization of all children
○ Philippine Medical Act nearest health below 8 years of age against the six
station, and that any person may be childhood immunizable diseases
inoculated, administered or injected with
prophylactic preparations ● RA 6675
○ Generics Act
● RA 9173
○ Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 ● RA 6425
○ Dangerous Drug Act
● RA 8749
○ Clean Air Act of 2000 ● RA 4226
○ Hospital Licensure Act
● PD 825
○ requires penalty for improper disposal of ● RA 8504
garbage and other forms of uncleanliness ○ Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control

● PD 856 ● RA 9165
○ Code of Sanitation ○ Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of
2002
● RA 9211
○ Tobacco Regulation Act

● RA 8976
○ Philippine Food Fortification

● RA 6365
○ National Policy on Population

● E0 2009
○ Family Code of the Philippines

● RA 7432

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