THE COMMISSION on Higher Education said it will launch a shorter Master’s Degree program to have more qualified instructors in nursing schools.

The move aims to address the lack of instructors in nursing schools, CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III said.

“Ang problema, ‘yung ating nursing professionals na may masters [degree] ay nare-recruit din abroad,” De Vera said.

“[Itong] mas maiksing Master’s Program ay particular sa gustong magturo sa mga nursing schools para mapalaki natin ‘yung enrollment sa nursing progam,” he added.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged the CHED to address the shortage of nurses in the country.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa is also worried about the shortage of nurses in public hospitals saying that there are currently 4,500 plantilla items open for nurses in more than 70 hospitals across the country.