SENATOR Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada is considering filing a measure that will provide a scholarship program for nursing students to resolve the shortage of healthcare workers.

Under the program, the scholars will be mandated to work in a government hospital for five years once they pass the nursing board.

“After five years, if they want to seek greener pastures abroad, then okay,” he said.

At the same time, Estrada cautioned the Departments of Health and Labor and Employment against hiring nurses who failed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam.

“Hindi dapat tayo padalos-dalos. Hindi ako sang-ayon sa pagha-hire ng flunkers. Buhay ng tao ang nakataya, tapos ipapaalaga mo sa ‘di pumasa,” he said.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development said that the Health department can hire new nurses who have not left the country.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier proposed the hiring of nursing graduates who did not pass the board.

But the Professional Regulation Commission rejected the proposal saying that nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam cannot be granted temporary or special licenses to work in public hospitals.