Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of healthcare, revealing both the system's strengths and vulnerabilities. This study focuses on the preparedness of the Philippine healthcare workforce, particularly among military and civilian nurses in the AFP, to handle national security threats in a VUCAD environment. It evaluates whether current nursing education equips nurses with the skills needed to face complex challenges. This study emphasizes the need for holistic national security strategies and proposes enhancing nursing education to prepare for 21st-century security challenges, focusing on CBRNE, climate change, cyberattacks, and emerging viruses.
OBJECTIVES: Determine the responsiveness and relevance of the Philippines’ BSN curriculum structure and learning delivery in addressing current and emerging threats in the military and defense sectors; Identify the perceived capabilities of military and civilian nurses in the AFP to respond effectively and adequately to these national security threats; Determine the gaps and challenges encountered by military and civilian nurses in terms of educational preparation for responding to current and emerging threats in the military and defense sectors; and Provide recommendations and measures to prepare military and civilian nurses for the new security environment.
METHODOLOGY: Descriptive Research with Mixed Methodology through document review, survey questionnaire, and key informant interviews.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the BSN curriculum in the Philippines aims to produce globally competitive nurses but lacks content on national security threats, such as CBRNE, cyberattacks, emerging viruses, and directed energy weapons. While the curriculum is structurally sound and employs appropriate teaching methodologies, it overlooks topics related to national security, which are vital for nurses working in crises and emergencies.
RECOMMENDATIONS: BSN Curriculum: undergo regular review and revision, prioritizing the inclusion of topics related to national security and health threats.
Reinforced ROTC Curriculum: aimed at developing young citizens' leadership skills, discipline, and sense of responsibility towards the nation. Institutional Level: In military institutions, topics for training should include: understanding biosecurity and bioterrorism; cybersecurity awareness; and emergency preparedness and response, just to name a few.
Notes
References:
Appiah, S. (2020, November 25). Quality of nursing education programme in the Philippines: Faculty members' perspectives. BMC Nursing. BioMed Central. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00508-9
Baker, C., Cary, A. H., & da Conceicao Bento, M. (2021, January). Global standards for professional nursing education: The time is now. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(1), 86–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2020.10.001
Bricknell, M., & Cain, P. (2020, April 15). Understanding the whole of military health systems. The RUSI Journal, 165(3), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/03071847.2020.1784039
Sigma Membership
Alpha Alpha Phi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Curriculum Development, Policy and Advocacy, Precepting, Baccalaureate Nursing Education
Recommended Citation
Flores, Darlene Dialogo, "Nursing Education and Practice in the AFP: Responding to the VUCAD National Security Threats" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 36.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/36
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-18
Nursing Education and Practice in the AFP: Responding to the VUCAD National Security Threats
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of healthcare, revealing both the system's strengths and vulnerabilities. This study focuses on the preparedness of the Philippine healthcare workforce, particularly among military and civilian nurses in the AFP, to handle national security threats in a VUCAD environment. It evaluates whether current nursing education equips nurses with the skills needed to face complex challenges. This study emphasizes the need for holistic national security strategies and proposes enhancing nursing education to prepare for 21st-century security challenges, focusing on CBRNE, climate change, cyberattacks, and emerging viruses.
OBJECTIVES: Determine the responsiveness and relevance of the Philippines’ BSN curriculum structure and learning delivery in addressing current and emerging threats in the military and defense sectors; Identify the perceived capabilities of military and civilian nurses in the AFP to respond effectively and adequately to these national security threats; Determine the gaps and challenges encountered by military and civilian nurses in terms of educational preparation for responding to current and emerging threats in the military and defense sectors; and Provide recommendations and measures to prepare military and civilian nurses for the new security environment.
METHODOLOGY: Descriptive Research with Mixed Methodology through document review, survey questionnaire, and key informant interviews.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the BSN curriculum in the Philippines aims to produce globally competitive nurses but lacks content on national security threats, such as CBRNE, cyberattacks, emerging viruses, and directed energy weapons. While the curriculum is structurally sound and employs appropriate teaching methodologies, it overlooks topics related to national security, which are vital for nurses working in crises and emergencies.
RECOMMENDATIONS: BSN Curriculum: undergo regular review and revision, prioritizing the inclusion of topics related to national security and health threats.
Reinforced ROTC Curriculum: aimed at developing young citizens' leadership skills, discipline, and sense of responsibility towards the nation. Institutional Level: In military institutions, topics for training should include: understanding biosecurity and bioterrorism; cybersecurity awareness; and emergency preparedness and response, just to name a few.
Description
This study highlighted the crucial link between a nation's economic health and its healthcare system, made even more urgent in today’s VUCAD world. By examining the Philippine BSN curriculum, it revealed a glaring gap in addressing national security threats like CBRNE, climate change, cyberattacks, and emerging viruses. The study calls for bold reforms at both national and institutional levels to prepare nurses for the complexities of an evolving security landscape.