According to Cueto, who is one of three commissioners heading the PRC, the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, or Republic Act No. 9173, does not allow the DOH secretary to give temporary work permits to nursing graduates who did not pass the licensure exam.Even under the Medical Act of 1959, or RA 2382, the DOH secretary can provide limited and special work permits to medicine graduates and students who have yet to pass their respective board exams only during a national emergency, Cueto added.
Shortly after he was sworn into office on June 6, Herbosa announced his plan to hire nursing graduates who failed the PRC-administered board exams as a “temporary measure” to avert a “crisis” due to the dwindling number of hospital nurses. On Monday, he said that only nursing graduates with an “almost passing” score of 70 to 74 percent would qualify for the special license that would allow them to practice in an entry-level position under the supervision of board-certified nurses.Subscribe to our daily newsletter