The fact that the Philippineshave too many nurses is both a good and bad thing. It is a good thing because the oversupply makes us a top source of nurses in First World countries. It is a bad thing because the number of nurses is too much than what the local hospitals need, leaving many nurses unemployed or working in a company where they cannot use what they have trained and studied for.

The problem of too many nurses is what a new government project, the Project Entreprenurse would try to solve. This project which is an initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is said to change the face of nursing in the country.

The project would allow qualified nurses to practice nursing independently. Thru this, the nurses would be able to practice their nursing skills and at the same time apply their entrepreneurial capabilities. This project is doable because independent practice of nursing is allowed by law. It is stated in Republic Acts 7164 and 9173 which regulate the practice of nursing.

This way Project Entreprenurse would present livelihood opportunities to nurses other than working abroad. In terms of capital, the DOLE is ready to extend financial assistance to nurses to make their business plans a reality. The project was first launched in Davao City. Some nurses there have already started to engage in a business that is related to their profession such as home health care, outsourced health service delivery, lying-in clinics, etc. The city of Davao is also set to start a nurse cooperative and the capital is to be provided by DOLE. 

The cooperative have almost 500 members coming all over the region and the group is currently busy taking care of the registration procedures of their cooperative in the Cooperative Development Authority. 

When they are done with the registration, the cooperative will be assisted so they can form a business plan. They will use this plan so they can coordinate with organizations (both in the public and private sector) to ask for a grant or sponsorship. They are eyeing to collect funds from local government units, Philhealth’s capitation fund, foreign donors and migrant Filipino organizations abroad.

The group will also be working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) as it will be their source of data regarding the condition of health services in poor rural communities.

For more information about this project, please visit the DOLE website.