Illuminating Cebu Normal University’s (CNU) excellence, six Nightingales’ uncaged their uncertainties as they retained their feat in the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination 2023 (PNLE) on Saturday, December 3.
Bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic, CNU Nightingales sealed a spot in the top 10 of PNLE 2023.
These include, Christel Jirah Dajao Codilla 6th placer with an average score of 90.00%, Katrina Marie Sumicad Arbon and Rhainne Baring Pejante both secured the 8th spot with an average score of 89.60%, while Patrice Danielle Lee Lim and Alyssa Joyce Pelotenia Sandueta score 89.40% placing 9th, and Julia Elloise Cassandra Cabonada Borbajo with an average score of 89.20% in the 10th place.
“Personally, what I lost during the pandemic was motivation. But it came back during the review season, when we were attending review classes,” said Lim.
Lim added that her other classmates in the review center have motivated her in making CNU proud.
With a perfect passing percentage, the 68 NLE passers of batch Luscinia have proven their grit in maximizing resources in their four years at CNU amid the circumstances brought by the pandemic.
The six empowering female topnotchers have shared their quality-training as soon as they stepped foot into the university’s premises bringing its tradition to exemplary learning.
“Our Clinical Instructors told us that the college produces topnotchers, so everyone goes through programs that make topnotchers,” said Codilla.
The Ormocanon also added that the quizzes, application, and the standards are high that every nursing student in CNU should go through a needle’s hole.
Further, Sandueta said that CNU plays a huge role in what they have achieved as they were expected to become “achievers” in the university.
“I think it’s natural for us to aim as high as possible. I think this was the drive to do our best, for ourselves specifically in studying,” the top 9 from Cebu City said.
Meanwhile, Arbon from Talisay City asserted that their university professors sharpened their minds with “high-heeled questions” similar to the previous board examinations.
“Of course, we can never predict what comes out during the board exams but at least, in terms of difficulty we are equipped on how to answer items that were conducively taught to us in a span of four years, which were helpful,” said Arbon.
Aside from academic preparations, the topnotchers also expressed their beliefs which helped them land a spot in the licensure exam.
“In terms of rituals, what I did was the traditional beliefs when taking an examination like to wear something red and put a peso coin on the shoe. Also, when entering the examination room, stepping on the right foot first means good luck,” said the top 10 from Mandaue City.
Nightingale passers also underscored their faith in God and good sleep to have a well-rested mind before taking an extensive examination, enunciating that what they are going through is “a battle of the mind”.
“Truth be told, two to three weeks before the exams, you will realize that you will never learn everything all at once. So when I got into the realization, I entrusted the results to God and so prayer became the main instrument,” shared Arbon.
QUAKE OF VICTORY
Following a quake that hit the province a magnitude of overwhelming emotions were also felt after the results of PNLE with almost 32,000 examinees.
In the lens of CNU board passers, they have anxiously waited for the results to come out but to a surprise has arrived unexpectedly.
“No one was expecting it (the results) since it was a rest day. Around 10:00 p.m, a notification from the official Facebook page of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) arrived. While I tried to access the link, I suddenly felt the ground shake but everyone was beyond happy as they found out I topped the board exams,” said Sandueta.
The six topnotchers have also expressed their gratitude to their CIs and mentors of the College of Nursing, especially in pouring out their knowledge in their batch.
“From the preparation on how they escalate the exams to how homework is done, it was tough, but it prepared us to top the board exam. We owe this to you,” said Lim on behalf of the topnotchers.
Meanwhile, the topnotchers also congratulated the current nursing students who have gotten far studying in Cebu Normal University. They also reminded their fellow Nightingales that as much as everyone wants to focus on their studies, they said to not push themselves too hard, always take breaks, and never compromise well-being.
“If we did it, I’m sure that they would too and we are all rooting for you,” said Sandueta on their behalf.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emiliano Ian B. Suson II, Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, sees the result as “the best Christmas gift of the year” for them.
The CNU topnotchers have a shared predicament on taking National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) unto their next journey as medical practitioners.
Written by: Denise Mae Codis, Kristin de Dios, and Jonnavie Villa BA Communication IV – Journalism
