Five-year nursing not yet to be implemented this June

CEBU, Philippines – The proposal to add one more year to nursing and other four-year college courses will not yet be implemented during the opening of the new school year this June.

Dr. Jucel Ann Jumao-as, Education Supervisor II of the Commission on Higher Education confirmed that the four-year nursing will be retained in the upcoming school year as stipulated in the CHED’s Memorandum Order 14 Series of 2009.

Jumao-as said the five-year curriculum did not push through because of opposition from stakeholders, parents and the nursing students.

“If the five-year curriculum pushes through, only the incoming first year nursing students will be affected,” clarified Candelario Aytona, acting director of CHED regional office 7.

Congested subjects, inadequate time for practical training and graduates who lack in skills and preparedness to compete globally were the main reasons why CHED proposed to add one more year for nursing and other college courses like architecture, engineering and accountancy.

Earlier, the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing clarified that the proposal was not a five-year curriculum but an additional summer that will make it like five years.

“I would approve more on the idea of nursing being a four-year course for practicality’s sake, and because I believe that students can still reap bounty of knowledge and skills enough to ready themselves into the world of competent nurses,” said Phoebe Kaye Fernandez, a fresh nursing graduate.

“However, making it a five-year course is not bad since students can be given more time to enhance their capabilities as nurses,” she added. – Ana Coritha Desamparado/WAB (THE FREEMAN)