PRC releases guide on new oath-taking rites

MANILA, Philippines—The Professional Regulation Commission has come out with guidelines on its newly austere oath-taking rites for nurses.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the PRC said group oath-taking ceremonies may be hosted by the respective schools of the board passers, in coordination with the respective chapters of their accredited professional organizations, for as long as they get clearance from the Board of Nursing and the PRC.

Regional PRC offices may also hold the rites, also in coordination with regional chapter of the APOs, with consultation with the BON and the PRC main office.

New nurses may also have their oath-taking individually before the BON, PRC officials and “any other official authorized to administer oath pursuant to section 16 of the Philippine Nursing Law.”

These guidelines for the oath-taking rites of the July 2011 Nursing Licensure Exam passers may become a precedent for those of other professions. The PRC released the guidelines “pending issuance of a more definitive and detailed guideline that will apply not only to nurses but to all board passers in other professions covered by the licensure examinations administered by the appropriate Professional Regulatory Boards and the PRC.”

Oath-taking rites for nurses used to be held en masse. The mass oath-taking for the July 2011 nursing board passers, supposedly to be held next month, has been cancelled.