Hiring nurses who earned a 70–74 percent board exam rating is "risky" as they have not yet achieved a certain level of confidence and competence, Philippine Nurses Association National President Melvin Miranda said in a TV interview on Tuesday, June 20.
Photo courtesy of Ali Vicoy | MB
"Kung ang isang nurse ay definitely recognized as licensed, yung level of confidence niya at tsaka yung kanyang competence ay maihahalintulad sa isang professional (If a nurse is definitely recognized as licensed, his or her level of confidence and competence can be compared to a professional)," he said.
READ: Herbosa to tap nursing grads with 70-74% board rating as add'l workforce
"Wala pa po kasing definite na pag-aaral na kung saan sila ay naka-achieve na ng high level of confidence sa pag-perform ng kanilang mga task, so I think medyo risky yung ganitong sitwasyon na kung saan dapat mabigyan pa ng mas masusing pag-aaral (There is no definite study in which they have already achieved a high level of confidence in performing their tasks, so I think this situation is quite risky and should be given a more thorough study)," he added.
This plan needs to be carefully studied first since the scope of work of the unlicensed nurses is still unclear, he said.
Also, if ever they commit a mistake in their duty, the 'burden' or sanction will be faced by their immediate licensed head.
"By principle ng respondent superior, ang nagssupervise pong professional nurse po ang posible pong mananagot (By principle of the respondent superior, the supervising professional nurse is the one who can be held responsible)," Miranda said.
Moreover, he called for an immediate solution to the root causes of why licensed nurses leave the country: lack of good salary and working environment.
There was also no shortage of nurses, but a mismatch, and in fact, over 10,000 nurses passed the recent board exam, and the government should work on publicizing job openings where they can apply.
But Miranda admitted that, despite the volume of newly licensed nurses each year, most of them choose to work in other industries like business process outsourcing to gain career stability.
Miranda wished to discuss the matter with the health and other related departments.
