UERMMMC College of Nursing

The UERMMMC College of Nursing is one of the leading nursing school in the Philippines today. The College of Nursing is one of the few nursing schools in the country with the highest accreditation status conferred by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), with a level III status.

History

The Medical Center’s College of Nursing opened its door in 1959. Since then, it has been its tradition to periodically assess and re-assess the Curriculum as to its relevance to the guiding philosophy of the school, as well as to the national goals. Linkages with government and non-government agencies facilitated the effective implementation of the school’s programs. Among the general changes adopted were Conversion of the three-year graduate nurse (GN) program into a four- to five-year Baccalaureate program (BSN); Revision of the BSN curriculum; Community-Based, Community-Oriented Curriculum; and Integration of Selected Concepts in the Curriculum.

The groundwork for the establishment of the College of Nursing commenced as early as October 1958. It was Dean Purita F. Asperilla, Ed.D. who put together the essential components of the College. The faculty line up were Ms. Paz de Leon, Patricia Villacorta, Natividad Espiritu and Ms. Pricscilla Sabinay, all of whom were master degree holders from esteemed institutions here and abroad. A five-year Bachelor of Science curriculum was implemented to frame a comprehensive nursing education that encompass almost all facets of health and focus on the whole person rather than the disease. It aimed to produce a professional health provider, a NURSE who will deliver and give with full authenticity the meaning of the word CARE.

It was on AY 1959-1960 that students were admitted for the first time in the College. Forty-seven (47) students were accepted. Only the last three years of the five-year program was offered in the Medical Center. The first two years were allotted to the study of liberal arts, physical, biological, social sciences and humanities, which were taught at the UE Recto campus.

In January 1960, the first capping ceremony of the College was held and by April 1962, thirty (30) out of the forty-seven (47) nursing students graduated and became the first class to receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This pioneer class engendered a 100% passing mark in the nurses’ board exam that same year, a precedent that eventually became the College’s traditional mark of excellence.

When Dean Emeritus Evangelina M. Dumlao, took over in 1968, enrollment more than doubled thus requiring the college to expand. It was also under her headship when the five-year nursing program was revised to a four-year course. Class “Sulo” is its first batch of graduates in April,1980. This curriculum shift was proven reliable as board ratings of graduates remain at par excellence as well as their performance as professionals.

However, a decrease in enrollment was felt in the late 1970’s due to a worldwide economic turmoil and as demand for nurses in foreign lands declined. Besides downsizing and cost cutting, Dean Dumlao conjured up a relevant medical model by creating the BSN Supplemental program designed to meet the demands for graduate nurses from GN program.

By taking over the deanship on 1984, Dean Carmelita Dela Cruz-Divinagracia (Pioneer ’62) holds the distinction of being the first alumna dean of the College. With the adoption of the Competency-based Community-oriented curriculum, a community in Antipolo, Rizal was taken on in collaboration with the UERMMMC Alumni and Friends foundation. Continuous community organizing was also facilitated through strong linkages. The community immersion program was intensified in order to delivery of primary health care services. The UERMMMC Alumni and Friends Foundation purchased a piece of land where the future Primary Health Care Institute of the Medical Center will be established. Funding and other support in varied forms are being solicited at the moment to realize this vision for the FILIPINO people.

In 1988, the College of Nursing was transferred from the old building behind the UERM quadrangle stage to its present location at the second floor of the administration building (previously occupied by the College of Dentistry). In August of the same year, The Federation of Accreditation Association of the Philippines (FAAP) and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) certified the accreditation of the college. A year later in September 1989, a regulated Level 2 Status was granted. More scholarships and financial supports for the academic development and other faculty development programs were solicited. On June 14, 1999, the College of Nursing was granted reaccredidation as a Level III institution by the PAASCU team for a period of five years, the first and only unit in the Medical Center with such status.

In its continuing quest to remain relevant and responsive to the changes of society, the college opened the new re-configured curriculum, the Associate in Health Science Education (AHSE) program in AY 1998-1999. This curriculum provides a common-two-year course to all health allied courses then allows students to shift on the third year to their course of interest.

The past performances of UERM nursing graduates in the licensing board exams placed the school as one of the best in the Philippines. Class 1995 bagged 32 places in the top 20 and Ms. Car Mele Medina garnered first (1st) place in the 1998 Nurses’ Board Exam.

The hallmark of the College of Nursing as an academic unit is the achievements of all its graduates in various fields of interest and specialized practice of the profession. The quest for excellence and greater glory continues towards the new millennium.

The College of Nursing continues to grow by leaps and bounds, winning accolades for the performance of its graduates in the nursing board exams and assuming leadership position in professional organizations, academia, as well as in the nursing service practice setting. A Level III accreditation was granted to the College of Nursing for the second time by the PAASCU.

ee also

*University of the East
*UERMMMC

References

*University of the East http://www.ue.edu.ph
*UERMMMC College of Nursing http://www.uerm.edu.ph/?nav=uerm6&link=abt

External links

* [http://online.ue.edu.ph University of the East]
* [http://www.uerm.edu.ph UERMMMC]
* [http://www.nursingphils.com Philippine Online Community of Nurses and Nursing Students]