A Survey of the Graduate Programs in Nursing in the Philippines Department of Nursing Education Philippine Nurses Association
Introduction The number of Higher Education Institutions offering the graduate program had tremendously increased during the last five years. The focus of TCNE at the moment is directed to the undergraduate program, considering these, the 2012 Committee on Nursing Education decided to look into the state of the Graduate Programs in Nursing today. The study aimed to find out the state of the Graduate Nursing Program offerings in the country in the light of relevant CHED memoranda governing graduate education in the country.
Methodology The study was a descriptive-survey that had utilized purposive sampling. Questionnaire was devised and administered to the respective deans/program head of HEIs offering MS/MA in Nursing. Questionnaires were distributed during the October 2012 Association of Deans of the Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN) Convention and April 2013ADPCN Summer Convention. Questionnaires were also emailed and sent via snail mail to those who did not receive the questionnaire during the two conventions. Data was processed using Excel. Descriptive statistics were used.
Results and Findings There were twenty two (22) HEIs in NCR offering the Graduate Program in Nursing, two (2) are no longer active. The region with the most number of graduate school offering in nursing is Region III twelve(12) followed by Region VII with ten (10) then Region I with nine (9) HEIs and Region VI with eight (8). These regions also have the highest number of HEIs offering the basic undergraduate program.
Results and Findings Twenty-three (23) or 24.21% have met the accreditation requirement with five (5) of the HEIs having reached the level IV and 18 level III accreditation while seventy-two (72) HEIS or 75.78% have not met the requirements. Of the 75.78% significant numbers of the HEIs (23 or 24.21%) have the undergraduate program in fact not accredited at all.
Results and Findings Majority of the schools still offer the MA in Nursing Program (71.7%). Almost a quarter of the programs are MA in Nursing without clinical specialization major (23.1%). Almost a quarter of the graduate programs are MA in Nursing without major or field of specialization (23.1%). Medical Surgical Nursing as a clinical major is still predominant in the specialization track (35.8%) followed by Psychiatric Nursing and Maternal and Child Nursing respectively. (33.3%) (30.70%).
Results and Findings Most of the respondent schools were offering 36 units for total requirements (28.2%) followed by 42 units (25.6%). There is a variety of unit requirements of the program. This is further reflected in the varied allocation of units in the core, nursing, cognate and elective courses.
Results and Findings There is compliance to minimum academic requirement for faculty of the MS/MA Nursing Program which is Master of Arts Degree. Twenty nine 29 (30.52%) require action research and almost all thirty two 32 (82%) require comprehensive examination before thesis writing and eleven (11.57%) require comprehensive examination in lieu of thesis. There was a commonality among the HEIs in the conduct of the class, vis-a-vis attendance requirement, comprehensive examination, etc.
Results and Findings A relatively small percentage thinks of the graduate program that will prepare nurses for clinical specialization (51.30%) and Advance Practice Nursing (46.15%). There are varied total unit requirements from 36-48 units in MA/MS Nursing Program
Conclusion There was a minimal compliance among HEIs of CHED Memo #36 s 1998 and CHED Memo 39 s 2003. There were varied curricular program contents and requirements among HEIs offering MA/MS Nursing in terms of core subjects, elective, cognate and nursing subject requirements. There were varied total unit requirements from 36-48 units in MA/MS Nursing Program. The current curricular programs do not conform to the International/Global requirements for APN
Recommendations PNA to take the lead in lobbying for an update in the CHED Standards Policies and Guidelines pertinent to graduate education for nursing. CHED to pursue intently the development of NGRE as specified in CHED Memo No. 36 s: 2008
Recommendations With the number of Graduate Schools in the country, there is a need to regulate and monitor graduate nursing education by CHED thru a body similar to the Technical Committee. CHED in collaboration with PRC Board of Nursing should develop a MS Program that will meet its global requirement for Advanced Practice Nursing.
Recommendations The PNA should provide PRC/CHED copies of the result of the survey. To fully actualize/perform the roles and functions of the Department as provided in the PNA By-laws, the chairman of the Department of Education of the PNA should be recommended by PNA to become a member of the CHED s Technical Committee on Nursing Education (TCNE)
Recommendations In matters of nursing education, the Department should represent the national organization (PNA) together with the President or his designated representative in related fora and symposium in order for PNA to keep abreast with development in nursing education.
Thank you! Members of the Department of Nursing Education: Remedios L. Fernandez, RN, PhD: Chairperson Roberto C. Sombillo, RN, PhD: Member Shirley R. Pena, RN, MAN: Member