SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go stressed the need for a standardized and advanced nursing education program that will establish a solid foundation for the country’s nurses to enable them to become more competent and gain better career opportunities.

Senate Bill 395, also known as the Advanced Nursing Education Act of 2019, seeks to improve the nursing profession by instituting measures for a relevant nursing education, humane working conditions, and better career prospects for Filipino nurses.

The bill filed by Go was tackled by the Senate Committee on Civil Service.

The measure requires the establishment of standard basic and graduate programs for nursing education, to be established in institutions accredited by the Commission on Higher Education.

Under the basic program, students will undergo community integration and immersion to encourage them to work in various communities.

Meanwhile, a graduate program will be built on the experiences and skills of the nurses towards mastery, expertise and leadership in practice, research and education.

The aspiring nurses will also have to pass a National Nursing Admission Test to ensure the quality of students getting in the program.

Go said that Filipino nurses are sought after in other countries because of their competence and caring nature.

“Bagama’t hinahanap-hanap ng mga dayuhan ang magagandang katangian ng ating Filipino nurses, ‘yung nursing education program po natin ay maaari pang ma-improve dahil naka-focus lang ito sa ‘bare minimum’ o pag-produce ng graduates na agarang ipapadala abroad o isasabak sa iba’t ibang mga lokal na ospital,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health said.

“Sa ngayon, walang oportunidad ang mga Filipino nurses para palawakin ang kanilang kakayahan at kaalaman upang maging dalubhasa sa kanilang napiling propesyon,” Go said.