Private sector offers review scholarships for nursing grads
To work in gov’t hospitals – Herbosa
AS an added incentive in view of his plan to tap unlicensed nursing graduates to address the shortage in the health workforce, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa yesterday disclosed that the private sector offered to shoulder the expenses for the board review of eligible nursing graduates, given that they will render service to government hospitals.
The newly appointed chief of the Department of Health (DOH) said the private sector came to him and said they will give scholarships to nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam if they were hired in that position.
“Lumapit sa akin ang private sector, sila na raw ang magbibigay ng scholarship sa mga nurse na hindi makapasa kung iha-hire sila doon sa position na ‘yun. ‘Yung ating mga walang kaya na kababayan na nakatapos ng nursing, walang trabaho tapos walang pambayad ng board review, eh paano makakapasa ‘yun? Feeling ko, pag-trabahuin ko siya as a nurse, nakatulong pa siya sa vacant position, malamang ‘pag nagtrabaho siya as a nurse, sigurado one or two tries mapapasa niya ‘yung board exam,” he said.
Herbosa further said that once they pass the board exam, said the licensed nurses have to sign a four-year return service agreement and provide service to government hospitals before they are allowed to go abroad.
He added that there are 4,500 vacant plantilla items for nurses in over 70 DOH hospitals, according to him at present.
The health chief earlier said he is willing to employ unlicensed nursing graduates if they have diplomas from accredited nursing schools.
