(UPDATED 02/19/2009) Website for Online Application for NARS Program Now Up

UPDATE: The schedule for the launching of the special website for the NARS program has been moved to an earlier date. Applicants may begin sending their applications on friday, February 20, 2009 at www.nars.dole.gov.ph or at regional offices nationwide. (Updated Feb 19, 2009)

The labor department has launched a special website for the processing of applications for the "Nurses Assigned in Rural Service" (NARS) program. Beginning February 23, Monday, online application for the NARS program will be accepted at www.nars.dole.gov.ph

Nurses hired under the NARS program will be trained in providing basic health services to needy folks in rural areas. They will also be performing clinical functions under the supervision of participating hospitals and other medical facilities in areas where the nurse-trainees will be assigned.

Under the NARS program, nurse-trainees will:

• Initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, and first line diagnosis
• Inform about community water sanitation practices and also do health surveillance
• Immunize children and mothers.

In a statement posted at the department's website, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Marianito Roque said the Department of Health (DoH) will identify hospitals and other medical providers that would participate in the NARS program and at the same time formulate the program's training module and related learning and development activities in close coordination with the Board of Nursing (BoN) of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Applicants may also apply personally at all DoLE regional offices nationwide. Deadline for filing of applications will be on March 31, 2009.

Related Article:
Government to Launch "NARS" Program for New Nurses