DUE TO the heightened alarm against “substandard” nursing schools, the UST College of Nursing (Nursing) drafted the first core competency standards for nurses during a seminar-workshop last Oct. 25 to 26 at the Nursing Auditorium.
“We will use the competencies identified as our guide to maintain the standard,” Nursing Dean Glenda Vargas said.
Representatives from the Commission on Higher Education’s Board of Nursing (Ched-BON) and the Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA) joined the discussion of the criteria in Philippine nursing education, regulation, and practice which include safe and quality care for patients, policy reforms and nursing initiatives, and increased mobility of nurses in and out of the country.
“(We need the guide because) Ched is already having a difficulty in monitoring (numerous) nursing schools that opened because of the increasing demand for nurses,” Vargas said.
The proposed core competencies may be approved by Ched-BON before the year ends.
Reports recently revealed that 23 nursing schools around Metro Manila will be shut down after failing to meet the health care standards set by Ched.
Ched chair Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. said common deficiencies among these schools include the absence of a “base hospital” which will enable students to experience hands-on training. Lady Camille L. de Guia and Reagan D. Tan with reports from Philippine Daily Inquirer
