Overview
The lecture discusses the key points of Republic Act No. 9173, known as the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, focusing on core concepts, the role and composition of the Board of Nursing, and the main qualifications for its members.
Article I: Title and Repeal
- RA 9173 is officially named the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.
- It repeals RA 7164, making the 1991 Nursing Act null and void.
Article II: Declaration of Policy
- The government is responsible for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession.
- Measures must be taken to enhance nursing education and nurses’ working conditions.
- Schools must meet minimum standards to produce competent nurses.
- The government must ensure adequate nurse staffing and quality health care delivery.
- The law aims to make the nursing profession more responsive to societal needs.
Article III: The Board of Nursing (BON)
- The Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing (BON) regulates the nursing profession.
- For each vacant position, PNA recommends 3 candidates, PRC nominates 2, and the President appoints 1.
- The BON is composed of 1 chairperson and 6 members (total of 7).
- If all positions are vacant, a list of 21 is narrowed by PRC to 14, from which the President appoints 7.
Qualifications for BON Members
- Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines.
- Must be a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing, education, or allied medical health profession.
- Majority (at least 4 out of 7) and the chairperson must have a master’s degree in nursing.
- The board must represent nursing education, nursing service, and community health nursing.
- Must be a member in good standing of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA).
- Should have at least 10 years of continuous nursing practice, with the last 5 years in the Philippines.
- Must never have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
Key Terms & Definitions
- RA 9173 — Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, the current law governing the nursing profession.
- BON — Board of Nursing, the regulatory body for nurses.
- PNA — Philippine Nurses Association, the accredited professional organization.
- Natural-born Citizen — A person who acquires citizenship by birth without any act to acquire it.
- Moral turpitude — A crime involving baseness, vileness, or depravity against society or another person.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the post-test answers for Part One.
- Prepare for Part Two of the lecture.