DOLE pushes hiring of undergraduate nurses
Filipino nursing undergraduates can now look forward to more employment opportunities abroad.
Labor Secretary Arturo Brion yesterday said that the government is now moving to promote the employment of nursing undergraduates or the so-called licensed practical nurse (LPNs).
Brion said he has formed an inter-agency committee that will draft possible measures to maximize employment opportunities for Filipino LPNs.
“I have asked the committee to consult with US-based employers and US immigration authorities as well as professional groups so we could chart the best and fastest development path for LPNs,” Brion also said.
He said that the committee headed by Labor Undersecretary for employment Luzviminda Padilla would also work ways to amend the Nursing Act of 2002.
“The committee would consult with congressional leaders concerning possible amendments to the Nursing Act, primarily the non-recognition of LPN,” Brion said.
Brion said the country should now recognize LPN as a separate and distinct profession and career choice.
Earlier, Brion said license practical nursing should be actively explored, not only for nursing flunkers, but as a career choice for those who do not want long courses and heavier registered nursing degree.
“We cannot close our eyes to those who flunk in the licensure exam. Many of them can retake the exam but still many do not pass after retakes so we should provide them an option they can handle,” he said.
Although LPN is still not recognized in the country, Brion noted that such career is highly in demand in the
At least 74 schools nationwide are now offering LPN courses despite the fact that such career is still unrecognized in the country.
Brion said the committee is also holding consultations with the nursing industry in preparation for the workshop initiated by the government to tackle the issue of LPN.
Second special review classes
Moreover, nurses who passed the leakage-tainted June 2006 licensure examination can now register for the second special review classes initiated by the government for those who would retake the examination in December.
Brion said registration for the special review classes began yesterday and will end on Oct. 10 while the review class will officially start on Oct. 13.
“All the examinees have to do is to access the website www.specialnursingreview.dole.gov.ph and follow the pertinent instructions to register,” Brion said.
Aside from online registration, labor regional offices and participating nursing schools are also open for manual registration.
Brion advised both online and manual registrants to present during the first day of the review class proof of confirmation of registration and Professional Regulation Commission license. The PRC said about 6,000 of the 17,000 June 2006 board passers are expected to take the retest set to be held on Dec. 1 and 2 in
Brion said the Department of Labor and Employment initiated the special review classes to prepare those who would be retaking the compromised Test 3 and 5 of the June 2006 nursing licensure examination.
In other developments, retakers in December have only until tomorrow to file their application for a partial retake of the nursing board examination.
PRC chair Leonor Rosero said those who will retake the Test 3 and 5 as per the Court of Appeals decision and special retakers, or those who are applying to work in the
Rosero advised the examinees to submit their application early so as not to overcrowd filing centers.
Retakers are exempted from paying examination fee but they have to submit original and photocopies of their transcript of records and birth certificates, pictures and community tax certificate.
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