Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes believes the Department of Health should focus on hiring unemployed and inactive registered nurses first before hiring unlicensed nursing graduates to fill vacancies in government hospitals.
“Marami po tayong nurses, board passers, na naghahanap ng trabaho. ‘Di ba dapat unahin natin ang mga licensed nurses bago bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga hindi pa nakakapasa ng board exams?” he said.
Reyes expressed his concern after Health Secretary Ted Herbosa floated the idea to hire unlicensed nursing graduates to work for the government.
“Through this proposed measure, we hope to help deserving students while also ensuring an adequate supply of nurses in the country.”
He also urged DOH to conduct a study on why many nursing board passers choose to be inactive and work in other fields.
“Sobrang nakakalungkot na ayon sa PRC, 53.55 percent lang ng nursing board passers ang active at nagpapractice ng nursing profession,” he said.
“Kailangang malaman natin kung bakit halos kalahati ng ating mga licensed nurses ang ayaw na maging nurse,” he added.
The lawmaker said this is one of the reasons why he filed House Bill (HB) No. 6631 which seeks to institutionalize a scholarship and return service program for nursing students.
Under the bill, a student will be required to serve one and a half years for every academic year of scholarship availed, in his or her province or municipality hospital or provider as determined by the local government unit (LGU) and confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Through this proposed measure, we hope to help deserving students while also ensuring an adequate supply of nurses in the country,” he said.
