Brion: LPN possibility is an option that we can adopt through legislation and policy action for our nursing exam flunkers and as a
new career choice
Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo D. Brion on Wednesday said that the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) possibility is an
option that we should now actively explore, not only for our nursing flunkers, but as a career choice for those who do not want the
longer course and the heavier Registered Nursing (RN) degree that our Nursing Act provides. .
Brion said the idea came up when he met recently with Senator Edgardo Angara to discuss the employment situation in the
country, including the matter involving the country's nurses.
"This is a policy issue that we will look at together with the stakeholders, particularly the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and even the TESDA," Brion said. "We will have to find out what we
can do for those who will not make it in the licensure examination and those who want to make the shorter LPN route their career
choice."
He said that of the 78,000 who took the examination last June, a significant portion will fail based on the records of the previous
nursing exams. Only about 40,000 may pass if we are to be guided by the passing rates in previous exams.
"The problem we cannot close our eyes to is what to do with those who will flunk. Many of them can retake the exam but still many
do not pass after retakes. We should provide them an option they can handle. This is where the stakeholders can come in by
starting a debate on the issue," he said.
Practical nurses perform simple medical tasks, mostly dealing with patient medication and care, under the direction of a full
nurse or a physician.
We do not license practical nurses in the Philippines, but they are recognized and licensed in the United States and Canada ,
Brion said.
"This can be a sunrise opportunity that we should look at and explore with those engaged in education and training, particularly
the PRC, TESDA and CHED. We can forward our findings to our legislators if legislation would be necessary," the labor secretary
said.
He said that he is very happy that the media has aired his idea since this can be the start of a discussion and debate on the
issue. "Our nurses and their organizations, together with the academe should be heard in this debate," he added.
He said that the Board of Nursing expects to come out with the June 2007 nursing licensure exam results possibly by
mid-August.
END
new career choice
Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo D. Brion on Wednesday said that the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) possibility is an
option that we should now actively explore, not only for our nursing flunkers, but as a career choice for those who do not want the
longer course and the heavier Registered Nursing (RN) degree that our Nursing Act provides. .
Brion said the idea came up when he met recently with Senator Edgardo Angara to discuss the employment situation in the
country, including the matter involving the country's nurses.
"This is a policy issue that we will look at together with the stakeholders, particularly the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and even the TESDA," Brion said. "We will have to find out what we
can do for those who will not make it in the licensure examination and those who want to make the shorter LPN route their career
choice."
He said that of the 78,000 who took the examination last June, a significant portion will fail based on the records of the previous
nursing exams. Only about 40,000 may pass if we are to be guided by the passing rates in previous exams.
"The problem we cannot close our eyes to is what to do with those who will flunk. Many of them can retake the exam but still many
do not pass after retakes. We should provide them an option they can handle. This is where the stakeholders can come in by
starting a debate on the issue," he said.
Practical nurses perform simple medical tasks, mostly dealing with patient medication and care, under the direction of a full
nurse or a physician.
We do not license practical nurses in the Philippines, but they are recognized and licensed in the United States and Canada ,
Brion said.
"This can be a sunrise opportunity that we should look at and explore with those engaged in education and training, particularly
the PRC, TESDA and CHED. We can forward our findings to our legislators if legislation would be necessary," the labor secretary
said.
He said that he is very happy that the media has aired his idea since this can be the start of a discussion and debate on the
issue. "Our nurses and their organizations, together with the academe should be heard in this debate," he added.
He said that the Board of Nursing expects to come out with the June 2007 nursing licensure exam results possibly by
mid-August.
END
