CPD Exemption for Martial Law Affected Regions?

It seems that CPD is here to stay. At least for now. I've been reading through some comments and I've found several statements that points to a possible exemption for residents of regions affected by martial law.

This is an article last year July 21, 2017 from Manila Bulletin.

PRC issues CPD exemption guidelines

In Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 07, Series of 2017, PRC granted this privilege to professionals, who may be unable to gain enough CPD units on time due to “justifiable reasons” to be determined by its Regional directors. 

These justifiable reasons include medical reasons, unforeseen or uncontrolled events (e.g. Martial Law declaration, recent typhoon, fire, et. al.), professionals working overseas, unemployed or financially handicapped.

link:

Chasing after CPD Units–The Experience

When you’re desperate for CPD units you kind of take every opportunity that comes your way. With a total of 45 CPD units required for PRC license renewal and a possible cap of 15 units a year, you get caught up in the rush.

Now I have nothing bad to say about the seminar. ORNAP did a very good job and at 300 pesos for 3 units. It’s just that the whole CPD thing is a big problem.

Now I’ve basically summarized the problems of this new CPD law in another blogpost but let me list them again. 

Problem 1 – It’s hard to find seminars that are accredited to provide CPD units. Some CPD providers have talked about the delays in getting accredited.

Problem 2 – Those that do provide CPD units offer seminars/lectures that are too expensive especially for contractual nurses working in the private sector. An example would be a national convention that costs 3,500 to join but only gave out 6 CPD units. That’s almost like 500-600 pesos per unit. It looks small and cheap to some but the following problems arise.

Desperate for CPD

With the looming CPD requirement one tends to get excited seeing seminars on their FB timeline. The adrenaline rush of finding a bargain akin to finding clothes in Divisoria. I was really excited when I saw this. CPD for just 1,000+ pesos? Woohoo!

Topic: Early Detection Saves Lives

But when the veil of exhilaration was lifted... It turned out to be an ad on a diagnostic/laboratory exam...

No offense to the hospital/clinic. It was my mistake. Still, a cheap CPD seminar. One can dream...

Salary Confidentiality and Underemployment of Nurses

I have to admit. I was a supporter of salary confidentiality. I felt that it would endanger an individual if everyone knows how much you are making. That was until I saw the video of Adam Ruins Everything.

Take for example how hospitals have kept their salary rates from newly licensed nurses. With a fast turnover (nurses leaving for abroad or other for jobs like call centers) hospitals are facing staff shortages. With confidential salary rates, any new nurse would attempt to apply not even knowing how much he/she will earn.

My Thoughts on CPD and Nursing

I have noticed a lot of nurses are now scrambling to have their licenses renewed by taking advantage of the advance 1 year renewal. For people who aren’t aware of the problem, a relatively new law effectively requires professionals to be “updated” with their current profession.

I’m using the word “updated” loosely here as the law authored by Senator Antonio Trillanes may have good intentions but he completely missed the mark. The Nursing profession indeed has taken several big hits starting with the 2006 nursing board cheating scandal to quite a few incidents abroad. Unfortunately, Trillanes’ remedy is a band aid solution and one that might worsen the current situation in my opinion.

I think it’s commendable for a soldier turned mutineer turned senator to think of the welfare of professionals like nurses. But I can’t help but think if this was just a lobbied law by several groups keen on creating or strengthening an industry that is providing continuing professional education or continuing professional development (CPD) units. Unfortunately to obtain said units costs the average nurse a lot. Let’s put things into perspective.

According to the law, a nurse needs about 45 CPD units in order to renew their license (IRR of CPD act of 2016) which to some might seem easy to get. Not really.

Problem 1 – It’s hard to find seminars that are accredited to provide CPD units. Some CPD providers have talked about the delays in getting accredited.

Problem 2 – Those that do provide CPD units offer seminars/lectures that are too expensive especially for contractual nurses working in the private sector. An example would be a national convention that costs 3,500 to join but only gave out 6 CPD units. That’s almost like 500-600 pesos per unit. It looks small and cheap to some but the following problems arise.

Problem 3 – Nurses are required to pay for themselves when going to CPD seminars/lectures. Hospital executives couldn’t care less because going on to the next problem

Problem 4 – We nurses have to be absent at work and most hospitals have a no work no pay policy. For those with leave credits, would you waste 2-3 days of leave just for a max 8 CPD units?

Problem 5 – CPD providers tend to stick to cities. So nurses in rural and far flung areas have to deal not just being absent (with no pay) but also travel, board and lodgings as well as other expenses for communication, supplies during the seminar and more.

Problem 6 – I still haven’t found official information about it yet but it seems that you can’t get all 45 units in 1 year. It has to be spaced evenly in 3 years. So you can only get max 15 units a year.

The law definitely needs to be reviewed because I think Nurses aren’t the only ones suffering. So are other professions hit by this law. There’s an ongoing petition that challenges the law and if you think this law is still “raw”, sign up.

It’s a good thing though, PRC has extended the zero CPD units for Nurses until December 31, 2017 for renewal of PRC ID.