# Situation: The nurse educator of a government hospital manages staff development for its endocrine and gastrointestinal wards. Every registered nurse must renew the professional identification card (PIC), which requires continuing professional development (CPD) units under the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016. A newly hired registered nurse practiced on a medical ward until December 2021, then worked full time in a non-nursing job until being hired in August 2026. The nurse's PIC is valid and all required CPD units for the last renewal were completed. Under the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9173), which requirement applies before the nurse practices on the ward?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=630463  
> language: ko  
> subject: Nursing Practice IV — Care of Clients with Problems in Nutrition and Gastrointestinal, Metabolism and Endocrine, Perception and Coordination

## 문제

Situation: The nurse educator of a government hospital manages staff development for its endocrine and gastrointestinal wards. Every registered nurse must renew the professional identification card (PIC), which requires continuing professional development (CPD) units under the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016.

A newly hired registered nurse practiced on a medical ward until December 2021, then worked full time in a non-nursing job until being hired in August 2026. The nurse's PIC is valid and all required CPD units for the last renewal were completed. Under the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9173), which requirement applies before the nurse practices on the ward?

## 보기

1. One month of didactic training and three months of practicum
2. The hospital's regular orientation and competency validation **✔ 정답**
3. A new sitting of the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination
4. A six-month refresher course at an accredited nursing school

**정답: 2**

## 해설

The Philippine Nursing Act requires 1 month of didactic training and 3 months of practicum only for nurses who have not practiced for 5 consecutive years. From December 2021 to August 2026 is 4 years and 8 months, so the refresher rule does not apply; the nurse completes the hospital's usual orientation and competency validation.

## 심화 해설

The refresher rule in the Philippine Nursing Act
The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9173) includes a provision for nurses returning after a long absence from practice. Nurses who have not practiced for 5 consecutive years must undergo 1 month of didactic training and 3 months of practicum before returning to practice. The rule is triggered only when the period of inactivity reaches 5 consecutive years. For shorter gaps, the usual hospital orientation and competency validation apply.

Calculating this nurse's gap
The nurse stopped practicing in December 2021 and was hired in August 2026. From December 2021 to December 2025 is 4 years; from December 2025 to August 2026 is 8 more months. The total is 4 years and 8 months, which is less than 5 consecutive years. The statutory refresher therefore does not apply. The nurse's PIC is valid and CPD units for the last renewal are complete, so registration is in good standing.

| Requirement | When it applies | This nurse? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hospital orientation and competency validation | Every new hire | Yes |
| 1 month didactic plus 3 months practicum | Inactive for 5 consecutive years | No; 4 years 8 months |
| Retake the licensure examination | Not a requirement for inactivity | No |
| Six-month refresher course | Not in the law | No |

Why the other options are wrong
The one-month didactic and three-month practicum program is real, but it applies only to nurses inactive for 5 consecutive years. A period away from practice does not cancel a valid registration, so retaking the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination is not required. And the law contains no six-month refresher course at a nursing school; when the refresher applies, it is the 1-month plus 3-month program.

Watch out! Count the months carefully. A long-sounding gap that spans five calendar years (2021 to 2026) is still under 5 years when measured from December to August. The law counts consecutive years of non-practice.

Practice implications
Even without the statutory refresher, a nurse returning after several years in another field may need extra support. The hospital orientation can include skills review, updated policies, and validation of competencies such as medication administration and equipment use before independent practice. Key point! The RA 9173 refresher of 1 month didactic and 3 months practicum applies only after 5 consecutive years without practice; shorter gaps need the regular orientation and competency validation.

## 임상 시나리오

Returning to Nursing PracticeRA 9173 refresher rule
The nurse left practice in December 2021 and returned in August 2026: a gap of 4 years and 8 months.

The refresher of 1 month didactic plus 3 months practicum applies only after 5 consecutive years without practice.

With a valid PIC and complete CPD units, the nurse needs the hospital's regular orientation and competency validation.

CautionRetaking the licensure examination and a six-month course are not requirements in the law.

## 핵심 개념

- **Philippine Nursing Act of 2002** — Republic Act 9173, the law regulating nursing education, licensure, and practice in the Philippines.
- **Refresher program** — Training of 1 month didactic and 3 months practicum for nurses who have not practiced for 5 consecutive years.
- **Competency validation** — Verification by observation or testing that a nurse can perform required skills safely.
- **Practicum** — Supervised clinical practice that applies classroom learning.

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