(Photo courtesy of CHED)
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has launched a national roadmap aimed at strengthening nursing education, addressing the shortage of healthcare workers, and improving the global competitiveness of Filipino nurses.
The Philippine Nursing Education Roadmap (PNER) 2030 was formally introduced during CHED’s National Directorate Meeting on Thursday as part of efforts to modernize nursing programs and respond to the country’s evolving healthcare needs.
In a statement Friday, CHED described the roadmap, developed by the University of Santo Tomas (UST), as a strategic, evidence-based framework designed to guide reforms in nursing education amid changing workforce demands and technological advancements.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis emphasized that the initiative seeks to balance the preparation of Filipino nurses for international employment with the urgent need to strengthen the domestic healthcare workforce.
“The Philippines has long been recognized for producing skilled and competent nurses who serve both here and abroad. However, we continue to face a significant shortage in our own healthcare system,” Agrupis said.
According to the roadmap, the Philippines faced an estimated shortage of 127,000 to 190,000 nurses as of 2025.
The workforce gap could reach 250,000 by 2030 if current trends persist, highlighting the need for reforms in nursing education and workforce development.
Agrupis said the government must ensure that Filipino nurses remain globally competitive without neglecting the growing demand for healthcare professionals in local hospitals and communities.
“We want to continue preparing our nurses for international opportunities through quality education and professional development, while also strengthening our own healthcare workforce. These priorities must go together,” she said.
Under PNER 2030, CHED aims to integrate updated standards and training approaches into nursing curricula across higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide.
The framework prioritizes competency-based education, improved clinical and simulation training, digital healthcare skills, advanced nursing practice, research, leadership development, and continuing professional education.
It also outlines two complementary pathways: the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Roadmap and the Post-Graduate Nursing Roadmap.
These pathways are intended to strengthen both entry-level nursing education and advanced professional training, ensuring that graduates possess the competencies required in modern healthcare settings.
Agrupis stressed that the roadmap must translate into concrete improvements in nursing programs, faculty development, institutional support, and graduate preparedness.
“We need to see these directions reflected in our nursing curricula, faculty development programs, institutional support, and, ultimately, in the preparation of our future nurses,” she said.
To implement the roadmap, CHED plans to strengthen coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Board of Nursing, higher education institutions, and healthcare industry partners.
Agrupis said collaboration among these institutions would be essential to turning the roadmap’s recommendations into policies, programs, and measurable improvements in nursing education.
The Philippines currently has 434 higher education institutions offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
CHED said the PNER 2030 would serve as a guide for improving nursing education quality, expanding professional development opportunities, and helping build a more responsive and sustainable healthcare workforce.
