The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Wednesday announced the launching of a flexible and technology-based Master’s Program for nurses for the academic year 2024-2025, in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila-College of Nursing and UP Open University.
This is about the CHED’s issuance of CMO No. 5, series of 2024 entitled Policies, Standards, and Guidelines for Master in Nursing Education (MNE) program which intends to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty in the country.
In a press conference, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said the one-year Master’s Program is enhanced, considering the recognition of prior learning (RPL) or the clinical experiences of practicing nurses.
“That is the most important one. That is a way to convert the practice of faculty members of serving hospitals or have done other things, this is convertible into units. So that they don’t have to go through all the subjects again, but can be converted there,” he said.
Under the MNE program, ten courses will be offered, which would allow nurses to earn 30 units.
Besides RPL, De Vera stressed its flexible learning setup or learning delivery, as well as the use of advanced laboratories among pilot higher education institutions (HEIs).
“The curriculum, when it is delivered by our universities, determines the correct division between face-to-face and online or distance learning. So, they make it flexible in terms of delivery,” he said.
“It maximizes the use of technology, technology not just in the delivery of courses, but technology as used in the top nursing schools now. Because we are pushing for technology-mediated schools.”
For its pilot implementation, 17 HEIs are included in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Davao Region.
To be qualified for the program, nurses must be registered nurses with an updated PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) card, at least one year of clinical experience, and a nursing portfolio of professional experiences and competencies. (PNA)
