Unregistered nurses as gap fillers backed

A congressional leader on Thursday backed the proposal of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to tap unregistered nurses to help fill the gap arising from shortages of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I cannot agree more with Speaker Velasco on the need to mobilize nursing graduates who have yet to take the board exam during the pandemic,” Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera said.

“I’m sure there are a lot of them who are willing to help and are just waiting to be tapped to fight against COVID-19,” added Herrera, the nominee of Bagong Henerasyon party-list group.

Velasco earlier suggested to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to make a special arrangement to allow expected takers of nursing licensure exams to work as health workers during the ongoing public health crisis.

Velasco said these unregistered nurses can work under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor through a special arrangement with the PRC.

Herrera said the DOH and the PRC should not think twice on Velasco’s proposal, which she said was “logical and makes sense.”

The party-list legislator noted that some hospitals have reportedly refused to accept COVID-19 patients not only due to lack of spaces but also of medical workers and staff.

“With the current COVID-19 situation prevailing in the country, we need all the help we can get to ensure that we will emerge victorious in our battle against the coronavirus,” Herrera said.