TWENTY graduates of five Cebu-based universities and colleges topped the Nursing Licensure Examinations (NLE) that was held on Nov. 12-13 2022.
This is the first time in a decade that Cebu-based academic institutions produced 20 topnotchers. In 2012, Cebu Normal University (CNU) had 12 topnotchers and Velez College had five, while University of Cebu (UC) Banilad campus and Southwestern University (SWU) also had one topnotcher each.
In the November NLE, Adrian Miguel Amil and Antonette Feliz Calimot of the Cebu Normal University (CNU) both led the pack of successful nursing examinees from Cebu by placing third in the NLE with an overall rating of 89.60 percent.
Amil told SunStar Cebu in an interview that his achievement was very important to him as he had really aimed to place in the Top 10.
He said some of his friends who were also former topnotchers inspired him and gave him enough motivation to excel in the NLE.
Six other examinees from CNU also topped the NLE.
In terms of performance during the November 2022 NLE, CNU and two other schools, namely Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) and Velez College, got a 100 percent passing percentage.
In a statement, Dr. Jezyl Cutamora, the dean of CNU’s College of Nursing, said this was the state university’s 11th non-consecutive year of having a 100 percent passing rate in the NLE.
Cutamora described CNU’s achievement as a great grace amid the Covid pandemic. This year CNU-College of Nursing is celebrating a milestone—its 40th anniversary.
Placing fourth in the recent NLE are CNU graduates Drocas Milcah Albores and Kathleen Ry Flores, and Lizalyn Joy Angeles Julio of the Cebu Institute of Technology University and Shania Antipuesto Omega of UC Banilad campus.
CDU’s Rochine Claire Vano Cagasan and Maraiah Cabahug placed fifth, while Cayci Ronneth Cabillon Requiroso of CNU ranked seventh in the exams.
Merlyn Tumatub Ansali of SWU, Phoebe Joy Menguito Dingcong of the College of Nursing of Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), Ryale Ellaine Barcenas Esmero of CNU, John Lloyd Dayanan Genelsa of CDU, Jann Louie Chua Hu Lamban of UC Banilad campus and Karylle Nicole Veloso Teo of CDU took eighth place.
Placing 10th in the exams are Carmela Ysatam Bihag of CCMC’s College of Nursing , Catherine Joy Solano Chua and Benz Jim Timbal Gragasin of CDU, and Kathleen Bucsit Labadan and Eloisa Mae Abarquez Rabanes of CNU.
In another interview, CDU’s Santos said she was glad to pass the exam, adding that by becoming a licensed nurse, she could finally help her parents and ease their financial burdens.
CNU’s Esmero said that passing the NLE was a relief, and all her efforts and prayers have paid off well.
Another CNU graduate, Labadan, said that she just wanted to pass the exams, and placing tenth was an unexpected blessing for her.
CDU’s Genelsa said ranking fourth is God’s gift as he had battled illnesses while he was reviewing for the NLE.
In a statement, the Professional Regulation Commission said that of the 24,903 nursing graduates who took the exams, 18,529 or 74.40 percent passed. (JKV, HIC)