Creating A Presidential Task Force To Address Concerns Arising From The Conduct Of The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) For Nurses In The Philippines

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 550

CREATING A PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ARISING FROM THE CONDUCT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION (NCLEX) FOR NURSES IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for nurses is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to determine those qualified to practice nursing in the United States at the entry level;

WHEREAS, the NCSBN has authorized the conduct of the NCLEX in Hong Kong, London and Seoul in 2004, and further established additional test centers in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Mexico and Taiwan in 2006;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is the top origin country of foreign educated nurses taking the NCLEX, many of whom encounter financial hardship due to the cost of taking the examinations overseas;

WHEREAS, Filipino nurses constitute 83% of foreign-educated nurses practicing in the United States of America and contribute positively to the good image of the Philippines through their hard work, dedication and ethic of care;

WHEREAS, officers of...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 550

Creation of Presidential Task Force on National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
- Lead Agency: Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) (Section 1)
- Supporting Agencies: Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) (Section 2)

Functions and Responsibilities of the Task Force (Section 3):
- Prepare program to ensure protection of intellectual property rights and security of NCLEX test centers in the Philippines.
- Evaluate procedures in resolving cases involving Filipino nurses and foreign nursing regulatory entities, and recommend measures to enhance grievance mechanisms.
- Coordinate and liaise with National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) on conduct of NCLEX in the Philippines.
- Investigate and take action on reports of fraud or acts compromising integrity of examinations, as referred by NCSBN.
- Conduct consultations and information campaigns among nursing associations and stakeholders to assist in preserving integrity of local and foreign nursing licensure examinations in the Philippines.
- Perform other functions to ensure smooth and successful conduct of NCLEX in the Philippines.

Government Support and Funding (Sections 4 and 5):
- Task Force authorized to call upon other agencies for assistance and support.
- Initial funding of Ten Million Pesos (PhP 10,000,000.00) from the President's Social Fund.

Period of Existence (Section 6):
- Task Force to cease to exist after March 31, 2010, after submitting a final report to the Office of the President.