For a safe Nursing practice one has to understand the law and legal responsibilities to protect the right

of her clients as well as to protect herself from liabilities. L a w r e g u l a t e s h u m a n c o n d u c t , c a p a b l e o f b e i n g enforced, and binding to all, so as to bring order the society. Law imposes a duty on everyone to conform to certain standards of conduct for the protection of others. To protect the rights of the individuals according to the needs of the society. To define standards of behaviour in accordance to the changes that occur in the society. Constitutional Laws -State the fundamental rights of the citizens. SALIENT ASPECTS IN THE 1987 CONSITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES Article II !eclaration of "rinciples # State "olicies $uman !ignity and right Sanctity of family, e%ual protection of the life of the mother and the unborn from conception &ole of the youth in nation building &ight to health &ight to a balanced # healthy ecology Article III 'ill of &ightsSection (%ual protection of laws # the due "rocess of Law "rivacy of )ommunication and )orrespondence *ormation of unions, associations or societies To remain silent have counsel when under investigation The accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved Statutory laws -laws enacted through legislative process are called statues. Criminal laws - m o s t l y s t a t u t o r y w h i c h d e f i n e f o r b i d d e n a c t s a n d t h e punishment for commission of such acts. - guided by the &evised "enal )ode +&.A. ,-./0 Civil Laws -pertains to the organization of the family and the regulation of property. -mass of precepts which determine and regulate the relations of assistance, authority and obedience among the members of a family, and those which e1ist among members of a society for the protection of private interests. -2uided by the 3ew )ivil )ode +&.A. ,-40 La or laws - governs and regulates the relationship of employer and employees. - consists of statutes, regulations and 5urisprudence governing the relations between capital and labor, by providing for certain employment standards and legal framewor6 for negotiating, ad5usting and administering those standards and other incidents of employment. - "! 778 3ew Labor code

Tort a legal wrong, commited against a person or property independent of a contract which renders the person who commits it liable for damages in a civil action. Assault !att"ry imminent threat of a harmful or offensive bodily act intentional, unconsented touching of another person.

Fals" im#risonm"nt$ ill"%al &"t"ntion un5ustifiable detention of a person without legal warrant within boundaries fi1ed by the defendant by an act or violation of duty intended to result in such confinement. Slan&"r oral defamation of a person by spea6ing unprivileged or false words by which his reputation is damaged. Li "l defamation by written words, cartoons or such representations that cause a person to be avoided, ridiculed, or held in contempt or to tend to in5ure him in his wor6. Nuisan'" - to describe an activity or condition that is harmful or annoying to others. Crim" act committed or omitted in violation of the law. )omposed of9 .. criminal act 8. evil or criminal intent when 8 or more persons agree to commit a felony and decide to do it.

Cons#ira'y F"loni"s

acts and omissions punishable by law.

Frustrated - when the offender performs all the acts of e1ecution which would produce the felony as a conse%uence but which, nevertheless, do not produce it by reason of causes independent of the will of the perpetrator. Consummated - when all the elements necessary for its e1ecution and accomplishment are present. Attempt - when the offender commences the commission of a felony directly or over acts, and does not perform all the acts of e1ecution which should produce the felony by reason of some cause or accident other than this own spontaneous desistance. Justifying circumstances. :do not incur any criminal liability. .. An imbecile or an insane person, unless the latter has acted during a lucid interval. When the imbecile or an insane person has committed an act which the law defines as a felony (delito), the court shall order his confinement in one of the hospitals or asylums established for persons thus afflicted, which he shall not be permitted to leave without first obtaining the permission of the same court. 8. A person under nine years of age.

,. A person over nine years of age and under fifteen, unless he has acted with discernment Mitigating circumstances mitigate criminal liability. (to ma6e more bearable or less severe0 .. when all the re%uisites necessary to 5ustify or to e1empt from criminal liability in the respective cases are not attendant. 8. under eighteen year of age or over seventy years. ,. no intention to commit so grave a wrong as that committed. 7. That sufficient provocation or threat on the part of the offended party immediately preceded the act. /. That the act was committed in the immediate vindication of a grave offense to the one committing the felony +delito0, his spouse, ascendants, or relatives by affinity within the same degrees. 4. acted upon an impulse so powerful as naturally to have produced passion or obfuscation. ;. offender had voluntarily surrendered himself to a person in authority or his agents, or that he had voluntarily confessed his guilt before the court prior to the presentation of the evidence for the prosecution< -. offender is deaf and dumb, blind or otherwise suffering some physical defect which thus restricts his means of action, defense, or communications with his fellow beings. =. Such illness of the offender as would diminish the e1ercise of the will-power of the offender without however depriving him of the consciousness of his acts. .>. And, finally, any other circumstances of a similar nature and analogous to those above mentioned. Aggravating circumstances aggravate criminal liability .. That advantage be ta6en by the offender of his public position. 8. That the crime be committed in contempt or with insult to the public authorities. ,. That the act be committed with insult or in disregard of the respect due the offended party on account of his ran6, age, or se1, or that is be committed in the dwelling of the offended party, if the latter has not given provocation. 7. That the act be committed with abuse of confidence or obvious ungratefulness.

/. That the crime be committed in the palace of the )hief (1ecutive or in his presence, or where public authorities are engaged in the discharge of their duties, or in a place dedicated to religious worship. 4. That the crime be committed in the night time, or in an uninhabited place, or by a band, whenever such circumstances may facilitate the commission of the offense. ?henever more than three armed malefactors shall have acted together in the commission of an offense, it shall be deemed to have been committed by a band. ;. That the crime be committed on the occasion of a conflagration, shipwrec6, earth%ua6e, epidemic or other calamity or misfortune. -. That the crime be committed with the aid of armed men or persons who insure or afford impunity. =. That the accused is a recidivist. A recidivist is one who, at the time of his trial for one crime, shall have been previously convicted by final judgment of another crime embraced in the same title of this ode. .>. That the offender has been previously punished by an offense to which the law attaches an e%ual or greater penalty or for two or more crimes to which it attaches a lighter penalty. ... That the crime be committed in consideration of a price, reward, or promise. .8. That the crime be committed by means of inundation, fire, poison, e1plosion, stranding of a vessel or international damage thereto, derailment of a locomotive, or by the use of any other artifice involving great waste and ruin. .,. That the act be committed with evidence premeditation. .7. That the craft, fraud or disguise be employed. ./. That advantage be ta6en of superior strength, or means be employed to wea6en the defense. .4. That the act be committed with treachery +alevosia0. There is treachery when the offender commits any of the crimes against the person, employing means, methods, or forms in the e1ecution thereof which tend directly and specially to insure its e1ecution, without ris6 to himself arising from the defense which the offended party might ma6e. .;. That means be employed or circumstances brought about which add ignominy to the natural effects of the act. .-. That the crime be committed after an unlawful entry.

!here is an unlawful entry when an entrance of a crime a wall, roof, floor, door, or window be bro"en. 8>. That the crime be committed with the aid of persons under fifteen years of age or by means of motor vehicles, motorized watercraft, airships, or other similar means. 8.. That the wrong done in the commission of the crime be deliberately augmented by causing other wrong not necessary for its commissions. Alt"rnativ" 'ir'umstan'"s (are those which must be ta6en into consideration as aggravating or mitigating according to the nature and effects of the crime and the other conditions attending its commission. -the relationship, into1ication and the degree of instruction and education of the offender. -the offended party in the spouse, ascendant, descendant, legitimate, natural, or adopted brother or sister, or relative by affinity in the same degrees of the offender.

Criminal lia ility) .. 'y any person committing a felony +delito0 although the wrongful act done be different from that which he intended. 8. 'y any person performing an act which would be an offense against persons or property, were it not for the inherent impossibility of its accomplishment or an account of the employment of inade%uate or ineffectual means. Who are criminally liable: #rincipals .. Those who ta6e a direct part in the e1ecution of the act< 8. Those who directly force or induce others to commit it< ,. Those who cooperate in the commission of the offense by another act without which it would not have been accomplished. A''om#li'"s are those persons who, not being included in as principals, cooperate in the e1ecution of the offense by previous or simultaneous acts. A''"ssori"s are those who, having 6nowledge of the commission of the crime, and without having participated therein, either as principals or accomplices, ta6e part subse%uent to its commission in any of the following manners9 .. 'y profiting themselves or assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the crime.

8. 'y concealing or destroying the body of the crime, or the effects or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its discovery. ,. 'y harboring, concealing, or assisting in the escape of the principals of the crime, provided the accessory acts with abuse of his public functions or whenever the author of the crime is guilty of treason, parricide, murder, or an attempt to ta6e the life of the )hief (1ecutive, or is 6nown to be habitually guilty of some other crime. How the nurse can protect herself from criminal liability: -be very familiar with the "hilippine 3ursing Laws and other laws affecting nursing practice. -at the start of employment, secure a copy of your 5ob description, the agency rules, regulations and policies. -upgrade your s6ills and competence. -accept only responsibility that is within the scope of employment and 5ob description -do not delegate responsibilities to others -determine whether subordinates are competent in the wor6 you assign them to. -develop good interpersonal relationships with co-wor6ers, whether they be supervisors, peers or subordinates. -)onsult superior for problems that may be too big to handle -verify orders that are not clear or seem erroneous -6eep in mind the values and necessity of accurate and ade%uate records -uphold patient@s rights N"%li%"n'" conduct that does not show due care. -failing to do something reasonably a prudent person would do in a similar situation. -)onduct that falls below the standards of behavior established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable ris6 of harm. -failure to e1ercise the degree of diligence which the circumstances of the particular case demands. )ommon acts of negligence9 -burns -left ob5ects inside patient@s body -falls -failure to observe and ta6e appropriate action -failure to report observations to attending physician -mista6en identity -wrong medicine, concentration, route. !ose )$A&A)T(&ISTI)S9 !uty established when the nurse-patient relationship started 'reach of !uty nursing care that fell below the acceptable standards $arm patient is in5ured in some way )ausation the breach of duty caused the harm +pro1imal0 *ES IPSA LO+UITO* - Athe thing spea6s for itself.A &efers to situations when itBs assumed that a personBs in5ury was caused by the negligent action of another party because the accident was the sort that wouldnBt occur unless someone was negligent act.

Criminal N"%li%"n'") *"',l"ss Im#ru&"n'" an act or failure to do voluntarily but without malice, from which material damage results from immediately. Sim#l" Im#ru&"n'" did not use precaution and damage was not immediate or the impending danger was not evident or manifested.

-."&i'al .al#ra'ti'" A't o/ 01102-It is the policy of the State to ensure the safety of and well being of patients by providing them with professional medical care. -."&i'al Pra'tition"r- shall refer to any physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist or paramedical or other supporting personnel +including medical and dental technicians, nursing assistants, and therapists0 -.al#ra'ti'"- shall refer to any personal in5ury, including death, caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any medical practitioner. -Pati"nts- shall refer to people re%uiring medical attention from any medical practitioner. T3" Anti(.al#ra'ti'" A't. - Any medical practitioner who performs any act constituting medical malpractice or the illegal practice of surgery shall be punishable by imprisonment or fine or both and, in all instances, the cancellation of the license to practice medicine. The )omplainant9 +.0 the patient< +80 parents or legal guardians of the patient< +,0 grandparents or collateral relatives< +70 an officer or social wor6er of the !epartment of Social ?elfare and $evelopment or of a duly licensed child caring institution, orphanage, home for the aged, mental hospital, or other similar institutions under whose care or custody the patient is committed% +/0 a concerned, responsible hospital employee where the crime was committed but only if any of the persons mentioned in the four preceding paragraphs have e1pressly given their consent to the filing thereof. The e1press or implied pardon of the patient, hisCher parents, grandparents or guardian shall not be a legal impediment to the prosecution of the crime nor will it e1tinguish the criminal action still pending, nor will it constitute a ground for remitting the penalty already imposed. "enalties9 (prision mayor+from si1 years and one day to twelve years0 and the cancellation of the license to practice the medical profession

-and a fine ranging from *ive $undred Thousand "esos +"/>>,>>>.>>0 to Dne Eillion "esos +".,>>>,>>>.>>0 in the discretion of the court ta6ing into consideration all attending circumstances. Any other crime committed by reason or on occasion of malpractice shall be considered as a separate offense and the rules on comple1 crimes shall not apply. In no case shall malpractice be considered as a mere aggravating circumstance when it is committed by reason or on occasion of the commission of another crime. Aggravating )ircumstances9 +.0 when the patient becomes insan" or suffers any psychological damage by reason of malpractice< +80 &"at3 of patient by reason or occasion of malpractice< +,0 #3ysi'al &is/i%ur"m"nt or permanent disability of the patient by reason of malpractice.

&(LAT(! LA?S9 *2A2 4475 67"n"ri's A't o/ 19888 -Dnly validly registered and licensed medical, dental, and veterinary practitioners are authorized to prescribe drugs -re%uires that drugs should be written in their generic names *2 A2 59016P3arma'y A't8 All prescriptions must contain the following information9 -name of the prescriber -office address -professional registration number -professional ta1 receipt number -patientCclient@s name, age, se1 -date of prescription *2A2 1159 -free emergency medical and dental attendance to employeesClaborers of any commercial, industrial or agricultural establishments. *2A2 11806*ural H"alt3 A't #/ 195:8 -the employment of more physicians. !entists, nurses, midwives and sanitary inspectors who will live in the rural areas where they are assigned to help raise the health condition of the barrio people and this help abate the still high incidence of preventable disease in the country. *2A2 11:4 6Tu "r'ulosis Law(Au%ust8 *2A2 1891 6Str"n%t3"nin% H"alt3 an& ;"ntal s"rvi'"s in t3" rural ar"as an& #rovi&in% /un&s t3"r"to2 6*2A2 11808

*2A2 0:80 6P3ili##in" ."&i'al A't8 *2A2 :57: 6*"#ortin% Communi'a l" ;is"as"8 -all communicable disease should be reported to the nearest health station and that any person may be inoculated, administered or in5ected. *2A2 917: 6Li "rali<"& t3" tr"atm"nt o/ L"#rosy8 -(1cept where the patient re%uires institutional treatment. 3o persons afflicted with leprosy shall be confirmed in a leprosarium. They shall be treated in a government s6in clinic, rural health unit or by a duly licensed physician. +*ebruary-Leprosy month0 *2A2 4095 6;an%"rous ;ru% A't8 -the sale, administration, delivery, distribution and transportation of prohibited drugs is punishable by law. *2A2 7171 6L"%a'y o/ ;onation o/ all #art o/ a 3uman o&y a/t"r &"at38 *2A2 7077 6.a%na Carta /or ;isa l"& P"rsons8 *2A2 7:15 6.a%na Carta /or Pu li' H"alt3 =or,"rs8 -to promote and improve the socio-economic well-being of health wor6ers, their living and wor6ing conditions and terms of employment< -to develop their s6ills and capabilities in order that they will be more responsive and better e%uipped to deliver health pro5ect and programs. -to encourage those with proper %ualifications and e1cellent abilities to 5oin and remain in government service. *2A2 7411 6*oomin%(in an& !r"ast /""&in% A't o/ 19908 *2A2 7719 6National !loo& S"rvi'" A't o/ 19998 *2A2 7894 6Com#ulsary immuni<ation a%ainst H"#atitis ! amon% in/ants an& "low 8 y"ars ol&8 *2A2 National H"alt3 Insuran'" A't o/ 1995 *2A2 788: 6!aran%ay H"alt3 =or,"rs !"n"/its > In'"ntiv"s A't o/ 19908 *2A2 890: 6Tra&itional an& Alt"rnativ" ."&i'in" A't o/ 19978 (?7amot na .a isa sa A ot @ayan% Hala%aA *2A2 8519 6P3ili##in"s AI;S Pr"v"ntion an& Control A't o/ 19988 P3ili##in" Nursin% A't o/ 1991

-special training re%uired according to protocol in the administration of intravenous in5ections. -any registered nurse without such training and administers IF should be held liable either criminally or administratively or both. Telephone Drders -only in e1treme emergency and when no other resident or intern is available should a nurse receive telephone orders. -the nurse should read bac6 to the physician to ma6e certain the order has been correctly written. -Such order should be signed by the physician on his ne1t visit within 87 hrs. Eedical &ecords -rich material for medical and nursing research -legal protection for the hospital, doctor, and nurse by reflecting the disease or condition of the patient and his management -nurses are e1pected to record fully, accurately, legibly and promptly their observations from admission to the time of patient@s discharge. -nurses are legally and ethically bound to protect the patient@s chart from unauthorized person -Git is not charted, it is not observed or doneH *2A2 917: 6Nursin% A't o/ 01108 - the policy of the State to assume responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education, humane wor6ing conditions, better career prospects and a dignified e1istence for our nurses. - The State hereby guarantees the delivery of %uality basic health services through an ade%uate nursing personnel system throughout the country. !oar& o/ Nursin% ( created a "rofessional &egulatory 'oard of 3ursing - composed of a )hairperson and si1 +40 members - appointed by the president of the &epublic of the "hilippines from among two +80 recommendees, per vacancy, of the "rofessional &egulation )ommission chosen and ran6ed from a list of three +,0 nominees, per vacancy, of the accredited professional organization of nurses in the "hilippines who possess the %ualifications &ualifications of the hairperson and 'embers of the (oard) +a0 'e a natural born citizen and resident of the "hilippines< +b0 'e a member of good standing of the accredited professional organization of nurses< +c0 'e a registered nurse and holder of a masterBs degree in nursing, education or other allied medical profession conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the 2overnment9 #rovided, That the ma5ority of the members of the 'oard shall be holders of a masterBs degree in nursing9 #rovided, further, That the )hairperson shall be a holder of a masterBs degree in nursing<

+d0 $ave at least ten +.>0 years of continuous practice of the profession prior to appointment9 #rovided, however, That the last five +/0 years of which shall be in the "hilippines< and +e0 3ot have been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude< #rovided, That the membership to the 'oard shall represent the three +,0 areas of nursing, namely9 nursing education, nursing service and community health nursing. Any person appointed as hairperson or 'ember of the (oard shall immediately resign from any teaching position in any school, college, university or institution offering (achelor of *cience in Nursing and+or review program for the local nursing board e,aminations or in any office or employment in the government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries as well as these employed in the private sector. .e+she shall not have any pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over any institution offering (achelor of *cience in Nursing including review classes. !he hairperson and 'embers of the (oard shall hold office for a term of three (/) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and 0ualified) #rovided, !hat the hairperson and members of the (oard may be re-appointed for another term. !he hairperson and 'embers of the (oard shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the hairperson and members of other professional regulatory boards. #owers and $uties of the (oard) +a0 )onduct the licensure e1amination for nurses< +b0 Issue, suspend or revo6e certificates of registration for the practice of nursing< +c0 Eonitor and enforce %uality standards of nursing practice in the "hilippines and e1ercise the powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethical and technical, moral and professional standards in the practice of nursing ta6ing into account the health needs of the nation< +d0 (nsure %uality nursing education by e1amining the prescribed facilities of universities or colleges of nursing or departments of nursing education and those see6ing permission to open nursing courses to ensure that standards of nursing education are properly complied with and maintained at all times. The authority to open and close colleges of nursing andCor nursing education programs shall be vested on the )ommission on $igher (ducation upon the written recommendation of the 'oard< +e0 )onduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against nurse practitioners for unethical and unprofessional conduct and violations of this Act, or its rules and regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of respondents and witnesses and the production of documents and punish with contempt persons obstructing, impeding

andCor otherwise interfeming with the conduct of such proceedings, upon application with the court< +f0 "romulgate a )ode of (thics in coordination and consultation with the accredited professional organization of nurses within one +.0 year from the effectivity of this Act< +g0 &ecognize nursing specialty organizations in coordination with the accredited professional organization< and +h0 "rescribe, adopt issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and decisions as may be necessary for the improvements of the nursing practice, advancement of the profession and for the proper and full enforcement of this Act sub5ect to the review and approval by the )ommission. 1emoval or *uspension of (oard 'embers) +a0 )ontinued neglect of duty or incompetence< +b0 )ommission or toleration of irregularities in the licensure e1amination< and +c0 Inprofessional immoral or dishonorable conduct. Li'"nsur" EBamination) All applicants for license to practice nursing shall be re%uired to pass a written e1amination, which shall be given by the 'oard in such places and dates as may be designated by the )ommission9 #rovided, That it shall be in accordance with &epublic Act 3o. -=-., otherwise 6nown as the A"&) Eodernization Act of 8>>>.A &ualifications for Admission to the 2icensure 3,amination) +a0 $eCshe is a citizen of the "hilippines, or a citizen or sub5ect of a country which permits *ilipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the sub5ect or citizen of such country9 #rovided, That the re%uirements for the registration or licensing of nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act< +b0 $eCshe is of good moral character< and +c0 $eCshe is a holder of a 'achelorBs !egree in 3ursing from a college or university that complies with the standards of nursing education duly recognized by the proper government agency. *cope of 3,amination) The scope of the e1amination for the practice of nursing in the "hilippines shall be determined by the 'oard. The 'oard shall ta6e into consideration the ob5ectives of the nursing curriculum, the broad areas of nursing, and other related disciplines and competencies in determining the sub5ects of e1aminations.

4n order to pass the e,amination, an e,aminee must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five percent (567) with a rating of not below si,ty percent (897) in any subject. An e,aminee who obtains an average rating of seventy-five percent (567) or higher but gets a rating below si,ty percent (897) in any subject must ta"e the e,amination again but only in the subject or subjects where he+she is rated below si,ty percent (897). 4n order to pass the succeeding e,amination, an e,aminee must obtain a rating of at least seventy-five percent (567) in the subject or subjects repeated. 4ssuance of ertificate of 1egistration+#rofessional 2icense and #rofessional 4dentification ard) - (very certificate of registrationCprofessional license shall show the full name of the registrant, the serial number, the signature of the )hairperson of the )ommission and of the Eembers of the 'oard, and the official seal of the )ommission. -A professional identification card, duly signed by the )hairperson of the )ommission, bearing the date of registration, license number, and the date of issuance and e1piration thereof shall li6ewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of the re%uired fees. 1egistration by 1eciprocity. - A certificate of registrationCprofessional license may be issued without e1amination to nurses registered under the laws of a foreign state or country9 #rovided, That the re%uirements for registration or licensing of nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed under this Act9 #rovided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privileges to registered nurses of the "hilippines on the same basis as the sub5ects or citizens of such foreign state or country. #ractice !hrough *pecial+!emporary #ermit) +a0 Licensed nurses from foreign countriesCstates whose service are either for a fee or free if they are internationally well-6nown specialists or outstanding e1perts in any branch or specialty of nursing< +b0 Licensed nurses from foreign countriesCstates on medical mission whose services shall be free in a particular hospital, center or clinic< and +c0 Licensed nurses from foreign countriesCstates employed by schoolsCcolleges of nursing as e1change professors in a branch or specialty of nursing< #rovided, however, That the specialCtemporary permit shall be effective only for the duration of the pro5ect, medical mission or employment contract.

1evocation and suspension of ertificate of 1egistration+#rofessional 2icense and ancellation of *pecial+!emporary #ermit) -The 'oard shall have the power to revo6e or suspend the certificate of registrationCprofessional license or cancel the specialCtemporary permit of a nurse upon any of the following grounds9

+a0 *or any of the causes mentioned in the preceding section< +b0 *or unprofessional and unethical conduct< +c0 *or gross incompetence or serious ignorance< +d0 *or malpractice or negligence in the practice of nursing< +e0 *or the use of fraud, deceit, or false statements in obtaining a certificate of registrationCprofessional license or a temporaryCspecial permit< +f0 *or violation of this Act, the rules and regulations, )ode of (thics for nurses and technical standards for nursing practice, policies of the 'oard and the )ommission, or the conditions and limitations for the issuance of the temporarilyCspecial permit< or +g0 *or practicing hisCher profession during hisCher suspension from such practice< #rovided, however, That the suspension of the certificate of registrationCprofessional license shall be for a period not to e1ceed four +70 years. Nursing Education

The nursing education program shall provide sound general and professional foundation for the practice of nursing. The learning experiences shall adhere strictly to specific requirements embodied in the prescribed curriculum as promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education's policies and standards of nursing education.
Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. - Nurses who have not actively practiced the profession for five (5) consecutive years are required to undergo one (1) month of didactic training and three (3) months of practicum. The oard shall accredit hospitals to conduct the said training program. Qualifications of the Faculty

(a) e a registered nurse in the !hilippines" (b) Have at least one (#) year of clinical practice in a field of speciali$ation" (c) e a member of good standing in the accredited professional organi$ation of nurses" and (d) e a holder of a master's degree in nursing% education% or other allied medical and health sciences conferred by a college or university duly recogni$ed by the &overnment of the 'epublic of the !hilippines.

(n addition to the aforementioned qualifications% the dean of a college must have a master's degree in nursing. He)she must have at least five (*) years of experience in nursing.
Scope of Nursing:

+ person shall be deemed to be practicing nursing ,ithin the meaning of this +ct ,hen he)she singly or in collaboration ,ith another% initiates and performs nursing services to individuals% families and communities in any health care setting. (t includes% but not limited to% nursing care during conception% labor% delivery% infancy% childhood% toddler% preschool% school age% adolescence% adulthood% and old age. +s independent practitioners% nurses are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and prevention of illness. + members of the health team% nurses shall collaborate ,ith other health care providers for the curative% preventive% and rehabilitative aspects of care% restoration of health% alleviation of suffering% and ,hen recovery is not possible% to,ards a peaceful death. (t shall be the duty of the nurse to(a) !rovide nursing care through the utili$ation of the nursing process. .ursing care includes% but not limited to% traditional and innovative approaches% therapeutic use of self% executing health care techniques and procedures% essential primary health care% comfort measures% health teachings% and administration of ,ritten prescription for treatment% therapies% oral topical and parenteral medications% internal examination during labor in the absence of antenatal bleeding and delivery. (n case of suturing of perineal laceration% special training shall be provided according to protocol established" (b) establish lin/ages ,ith community resources and coordination ,ith the health team" (c) !rovide health education to individuals% families and communities" (d) Teach% guide and supervise students in nursing education programs including the administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals and clinics" underta/e consultation services" engage in such activities that require the utili$ation of /no,ledge and decision0ma/ing s/ills of a registered nurse" and (e) 1nderta/e nursing and health human resource development training and research% ,hich shall include% but not limited to% the development of advance nursing practice" Provided% That this section shall not apply to nursing students ,ho perform nursing functions under the direct supervision of a qualified faculty- Provided, further% That in the practice of nursing in all settings% the nurse is duty0bound to observe the Code of Ethics for nurses and uphold the standards of safe nursing practice. The nurse is required to maintain competence by continual learning through continuing professional education to be provided by the accredited professional organi$ation or any recogni$ed professional nursing organi$ation- Provided, finally% That the program and activity for the continuing professional education shall be submitted to and approved by the oard.

Qualification of Nursing Service Administrators:

(a) e a registered nurse in the !hilippines" (b) Have at least t,o (2) years experience in general nursing service administration" (c) !ossess a degree of achelors of 3cience in .ursing% ,ith at least nine (4) units in management and administration courses at the graduate level" and (d) e a member of good standing of the accredited professional organi$ation of nurses" Provided, That a person occupying the position of chief nurse or director of nursing service shall% in addition to the foregoing qualifications% possess(#) +t least five (*) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial position in nursing" and (2) + master's degree ma5or in nursing" Provided, further% That for primary hospitals% the maximum academic qualifications and experiences for a chief nurse shall be as specified in subsections (a)% (b)% and (c) of this sectionProvided, furthermore% That for chief nurses in the public health nursing shall be given priority. Provided, even further% That for chief nurses in military hospitals% priority shall be given to those ,ho have finished a master's degree in nursing and the completion of the &eneral 3taff Course (&3C)- Provided, finally% That those occupying such positions before the effectivity of this +ct shall be given a period of five (*) years ,ithin ,hich to qualify. Comprehensive Nursing Specialty Program. 0 6ithin ninety (47) days from the effectivity of this +ct% the oard in coordination ,ith the accredited professional organi$ation recogni$ed specialty organi$ations and the 8epartment of Health is hereby mandated to formulate and develop a comprehensive nursing specialty program that ,ould upgrade the level of s/ill and competence of specialty nurse clinicians in the country% such as but not limited to the areas of critical care% oncology% renal and such other areas as may be determined by the oard. The beneficiaries of this program are obliged to serve in any !hilippine hospital for a period of at least t,o (2) years and continuous service. 99The minimum base pay of nurses ,or/ing in the public health institutions shall not be lo,er than salary grade #* prescribes under 'epublic +ct .o. :;*<% other,ise /no,n as the =Compensation and Classification +ct of #4<4=- Provided% That for nurses ,or/ing in local government units% ad5ustments to their salaries shall be in accordance ,ith 3ection #7 of the said la,.

!enal Clause- Prohibitions in the Practice of Nursing. - + fine of not less than >ifty thousand pesos (!*7%777.77) nor more than ?ne hundred thousand pesos (!#77%777.77) or imprisonment of not less than one (#) year nor more than six (:) years% or both% upon the discretion of the court.

P*ESI;ENTIAL P*OCLA.ATIONS $ P*ONOUNCE.ENTS "roc. J 7 "hilippine Eeasles (limination )ampaign Dctober .7, .==- as theGLigtasTigdas EonthH "roc. J 4 April ,, .=-4 !eclaring the period of September .4

Inited 3ations - Iniversal 2oal on )hild Immunization by .==>

"roc. J 74 September .4, .==8 &eaffirming the commitment of the "hilippines to the Iniversal )hild and Eother Immunization 2oal of the ?orld $ealth Assembly "roc. J .7; Earch ,, .==, !eclares April 8. and Eay .=, .==, and every ,rd ?ednesday of Kanuary and *ebruary and thereafter for 8 years as 3ational Immunization !ays "roc. J /,= - 3urse wee6 "roc. J ;;, Earch 8-, .==4 !ayH every last wee6 of Dctober (very ,rd ?ednesday of April and Eay as the GLnoc6-out "olio

"roc. J .>47 August 8;, .==; (n5oining all sectors of society to participate in the Acute *laccid "aralysis +A*"0 surveillance component of polio eradication campaign "roc. J .>44 !eclaring a 3ational 3eonatal Tetanus (limination )ampaign starting .==;

LETTE*S OF INST*UCTIONS LDI J .7= Dctober .=, .=;= - Adoption of "rimary $ealth )are< Legal basis of primary health care ILD convention J.7=- Improvement of life and wor6 conditions of nursing personnel +ILD &ecommendation J ./;0