SIXTEEN nursing graduates from six universities in Cebu topped the May 2015 Nursing Licensure Examination. They accounted for 20 percent of examinees with the 10 highest scores.
“All I can say is that you should never be afraid or ashamed to aim high,” said Danielle Ann Suarez of the Cebu Normal University (CNU), who placed fourth.
“At times, you may lose faith in yourself but never lose faith in God. He has great things in store for you.”
Nine of the 16 topnotchers from Cebu-based universities studied in CNU.
The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) announced last night that 9,707 out of 17,891 (54.26 percent) passed the nursing board exams last May 30-31.
A total of 96 squeezed their way into the Top 10.
The 16 from Cebu were graduates of CNU (9); Cebu Doctors’ University (2); Velez College (2); and one each from Cebu City Medical Center General Hospital (CCMC-GH), St. Paul College Foundation, Inc., (SPCFI) and University of Cebu (UC) in Banilad.
Suarez of CNU led all the Cebuano topnotchers with her rating of 85.20.
Devin Edjohn Aballe of CDU ranked fifth together with Ma. Rejena Palatan of CCMC-GH and Arielle Joy Brillantes of CNU; all garnered an 85 rating.
Seventh placers Chara Maive Gabiana of CNU and Jake Taladro of SPCFI had a rating of 84.60.
All with 84.40, CNU’s Elisha Gine Andales and Christine Joy Roferos, Cebu Doctors’ Rose Jessamae Cultura and Velez College’s Mika Marie Desiderio shared the eighth spot.
CNU’s Jansel Buencaloloy and Velez College’s Mary Frances Peñalosa tied for ninth place with 84.20.
In tenth place with 84 were CNU’s Renee Camille Laguda, Jasafe Rinon Taborada and Kathlyn Tan, and UC-Banilad’s Dann Francis Sarnillo.
In a phone interview, Suarez said she has “no words to explain” her initial reaction. She said she couldn’t believe she was in the top 10.
“Wa gyud ko nag-expect (I never expected it),” added Suarez.
This year, CNU has a passing rate of 100 percent, which it has been doing for years. Last year, CNU produced 3 topnotchers.
But according to CNU nursing instructor Jake Cañeda, they are more focused on maintaining the 100 percent passing rate than the number of topnotchers.
“Every time the results come out, the whole faculty and the whole university expects good results. But I was not expecting nga ing-ani kadaghana ang topnotchers karon (that the university would get this many topnotchers),” said Cañeda.
“We (the faculty) are so happy and overwhelmed.”
Cañeda also remarked on Suarez’s being the highest placer among the graduates from Cebu.
“Ever since, we all knew that Danielle would place among the top performing students. She is very intelligent and witty,” commented Cañeda.
“Dili angay ika-surprise nga na-top si Danielle (It shouldn’t be a surprise that Danielle joined the topnotchers).”