In photo from left to right: Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie D. Cabanes from UPOU-FMDS, Prof. Laurance L. Garcia and President Ariel A. Ariaso Sr. from Cebu Normal University, CHED Chairperson Hon. J. Prospero E. De Vera III, Chancellor Michael L. Tee, Dean Sheila R. Bonito, and Asst. Prof. Arnold B. Peralta from UP Manila.
Faculty members from the University of the Philippines College of Nursing (UPCN) and UP Open University-Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS) took part in the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) official launch of the Flexible Master’s Program in Nursing on 28 August 2024. The program, designed to address the shortage of nursing school instructors, offers an enhanced one-year curriculum for registered nurses with clinical experience.
This initiative is CHED’s response to the country’s increasing demand for skilled nursing faculty, offering registered nurses the opportunity to enhance their teaching credentials. The program allows flexibility through competency-based learning and aims to improve access to postgraduate education while supporting nursing faculty development. Institutions like UPCN and UPOU are expected to play a crucial role in delivering this innovative curriculum.
The program will also be pilot-tested in 17 select institutions, aiming to uplift nursing education nationwide. This strategic move comes after President Marcos directed CHED to tackle the country’s nursing shortage.
The participation of UPCN and UPOU further cements their commitment to addressing the needs of the healthcare sector through education in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), No. 4 (Quality Education) and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Written by Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes ♦ Edited by Larry N. Cruz ♦ Cross-posted from FMDS Website
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