The University of the Philippines (UP) is devoted toward providing the highest quality of education in the country and is serving as an effective tool of inculcating patriotism and the great responsibility of service to the community. Guided with the vision of continuous national development, the mission of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) is to produce outstanding practitioners and leaders in the fields of health, the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities.

Implemented in the year 2011, the Return Service Agreement (RSA) has become an absolute admission requirement for several programs offered by UPM – which includes the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The return service program requires the students of the seven health colleges of the university to sign a contract signifying their commitment to work and to serve the Filipino community after graduation. The RSA is now a requirement for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing – covering all students (including shiftees and transferees) with student number 2011- onwards.

The origin of RSA is traced back to the establishment of the Philippine Medical School by the Commonwealth Act No. 1415 on December 1, 1905 to address the critical lack of physicians in the country. However, at the present time, most of the health professions graduates of the university have immigrated to other countries. The RSA program is the response of the university to meet the increasing demands for health professionals who practice in their respective fields of expertise in service of the Filipino people.

Through the program, the UP College of Nursing envisions its graduates to contribute to the increasing number of Filipino nurses working in the Philippines. BSN graduates are expected to work in the Philippines for 2 years within 5 years after graduation. Failure to comply will result to the breach of contract and will entail a corresponding penalty. This provision is subject to revisions by the university officials and is subject to approval by the UP Board of Regents.

The UP College of Nursing has constituted the Return Service Agreement (RSA) Committee and is headed by the Alumni Relations Officer and is provided administrative support by the Office of the College Secretary. The committee is responsible for coordinating all updates and proceedings regarding the implementation of RSA to the students and for the monitoring of its graduates. Any student or graduate covered under RSA may approach the committee regarding any concerns related to the program. 

1. What are the obligations of the student under the Return Service Agreement? 

The student has the obligation to: 

• submit the signed Return Service Agreement contract upon enrollment; 

• prior to graduation: a.) faithfully adhere to the mission-vision of the UP College of Nursing; b.) participate in University and College activities; c.) finish the full prescribed years of their respective college education.

• after graduation, the graduate shall take the necessary licensure examination of the program required to enable them to practice their profession when they are serving their RSA, only when applicable. 

2. How many years is the return service of a BS Nursing graduate? 

BS Nursing graduates are expected to render 2 years of return service within a period of 5 years after graduating from the program (Rule III, Sec. 4 and 5). 

3. What if a student did not finish the program in 4 years, will this affect his/her return service? 

Yes, it will be longer. For graduate who do not graduate on time, the length of return service is half the total number of years spent in the University (Rule III, Sec. 6).

4. Where can a graduate serve?

The graduate can choose to practice in any part of the Philippines (whether public or private), preferably in underserved areas (Rule III, Sec. 8). 

5. What should be the nature of work? 

For BS Nursing graduate, they can work as practitioners in either the hospital or the community, in academic institutions, research projects or institutions, in government service, or in public health. 

6. Does the return service need to a be a volunteer work? 

No. The University prefers that the service is an employed service so that the graduate also earns while fulfilling his/her return service obligation. 

7. What does the University do to ensure work for graduates? 

The Philippine General Hospital and the UP System gives priority to UP Manila graduates for employment after requirements for employment are met (RSA General Policy 9). 

8. Are graduates monitored in their fulfillment of return service? 

Yes. Graduates are mandated to submit a report of their return service every 31st of December of every year until they fulfill the required number of years (Rule IV). 

9. Are graduates monitored in their fulfillment of return service? 

A report form shall be accomplished by the graduate indicating the following (Rule IV): 

• exact location and address of work; 

• nature of work; 

• community served; 

• career plans for the succeeding year; 

• insights on experience and impact of RSA on public service; 

• feedback/problems encountered

10. What proofs of employment/work are to be submitted? 

A graduate must attach with his/her report certified copies of certificate of employment (or volunteer work) duly signed by an authorized in his/her agency. 

The certificate of employment should indicate inclusive duration and nature of employment. 

11. What happens if the graduate fails to report his/her whereabouts every December 31? 

This is considered breach of contract. Graduate will be given a grace period of until February of the next year to submit the report. If no report is submitted by then, a formal notice of breach of contract shall be served to the graduate and his/her parent. The breach of contract entails penalty (Rule VII, Sec. 1). 

12. Can the graduate get his/her University credentials after graduation? 

Yes, the diploma and Transcript of Records (ToR) will be issued to the graduate (Rule VI). However, the ToR will have the following remarks: 

"Subject to compliance with the Return Service Agreement. Valid for employement in the Philippines only."

This remark will be removed once the graduate is cleared from return service obligation. 

13. A graduate has applied for training abroad. Can the University verify his/her credentials? 

A graduate who is not yet cleared of the return service obligation shall be denied of the following (Rule V): 

• request for authentication of university records

• request for Dean's letter of recommendation for training abroad

• request from UP Manila faculty for recommendation for training abroad

14. What happens if a BS Nursing graduate wanted to enroll in a second degree? 

Enrolling in a second degree like a medical degree is not considered return service (Rule III, Sec. 9). 

There are options for graduates who would want to pursue a second degree. 

For those enrolling in UP Manila for their second degree: 

• serve the RSA of the current degree program prior to enrollment in the second degree; OR

• RSA of the first degree is added to the RSA of the second degree; OR

• Pay the pre-termination fee prior to enrollment in the second degree. 

For those enrolling in another University for their second degree: 

• serve the RSA of the current degree program prior to enrollment in the second degree; OR

• pay the pre-termination fee prior to enrollment in the second degree. 

15. Can a graduate enroll in a second degree on a part-time basis? What will happen to the RSA? 

If a graduate wants to enroll on a second degree on a part-time basis, a graduate can be allowed to render return service provided the cumulative period of return service totals the required number of years. 

16. A graduate has rendered the required years of service. Will s/he get a clearance from the University? 

Yes, the graduate will be given a clearance by the University after submitting all necessary documentation and requests. The same clearance will be forwarded to the Office of the University Registrar so that the remarks in the ToR can be removed (Rule V, Sec. 3). 

17. Can a student or graduate pre-terminate his/her RSA contract? 

Yes, pre-termination is allowed under certain circumstances (Rule VIII): 

• physical or mental incapacity or permanent nature

• physical or mental incapacity of temporary nature

• non-completion of UP Manila education due to academic deficiencies

• dismissal for disciplinary action

• any other reasons of the student aside from the above

18. What happens if a student pre-terminates his/her contract? 

Depending on circumstances, pre-termination may entail penalty. Circumstances that entail NO penalty are as follows (Rule VIII):

• before the student has enrolled in less than 60 units; 

• physical or mental incapacity of permanent nature; 

• financial incapability to pursue course. 

Below are circumstances that entail penalty (Rule VIII): 

• dismissal of student due to academic delinquency or disciplinary action; 

• other reasons aside from those already mentioned. 

19. If a student or graduate pre-terminate his/her contract, how much does s/he needs to pay? 

Penalty is double the cost of nursing education plus interest at prevailing legal rates at the time of entry to the contract (Rule VIII). 

Total cost of education is computed based on the total subsidy of the government and donations made to the College of Nursing that enhance education and training of students (Rule VIII). 

For more information, you may get in touch with the Office of the College Secretary at upm-cn-ocs@up.edu.ph.