XU Nurses Top Nationwide
Nursing Exams

By Toni Marie Bacala, John Philip Baltazar and Ivanell Subrabas

Xavier University emerged Top 1 in the recent Philippine Licensure Examination for nurses held last December 2-3, 2006. All of the 146 XU nursing graduates who took the exam successfully passed, among whom is Ms. Venus Sofia Balatero who ranked 6th in the nationwide lineup.

“We feel no less than euphoria and pride after finding out about the result,” remarks Dean Ramona Palad of the College of Nursing. The XU examinees scored 100% under Cluster A (composed of schools with over one hundred student passers) Silliman University ranked 2nd. Out of the 40,147 examinees nationwide, only 19,712 or 49% passed.

All 146 takers graduated from XU last March 2006, and were the first batch of graduates since the College of Nursing reopened in 2002. The College of Nursing has always been successful in the past licensure exams, but it was only this year that over 100 from XU took and passed the exam. “I did not want to say it first, but I know how hard the students worked, and I really know all of them would really make it,” remarks Dr. Palad animatedly. Asked about their secret, she added “there is no secret formula for our accomplishment. It is a combination of hard work, and something else, something we cannot quite explain. Both the students and teachers really did their job, and that was what mattered most.”

The accomplishment is aweinspiring, considering that the XU Nursing is not complete in their teaching facilities. Up to now, problems such as having no central building to hold all facilities and equipment and lack of faculty still exist. Dr. Palad is hopeful that the results of the exam will contribute to IQUAME’s accreditation of the University.

The success of Ms. Venus Balatero who placed 6th with an average of 87% added to the joy of the already ecstatic XU Community. “There is a sense of fulfillment in making it to the top, what with all the rigorous training that the students and teachers went through. We expected people to place in the top 10, Venus was one of those people,” Palad continues.

Ms. Balatero has been known to perform consistently well during the entire 4-year course, and has reportedly maintained grades that are regularly above the required average. “We’ve been hiked up about such challenge for years,” shares Ms. Balatero on the education that she has undergone in XU. “Hundreds and thousands of mindboggling, not to mention neck-breaking examinations have managed to make us impervious to arduous questions. Prayers bestowed on us an infinite supply of hope and faith.” She also acknowledges the benefit of a comprehensive review through a credible review center. Ms. Balatero was invited in the oath taking in Manila, where she was recognized as one of the outstanding placers. The oath taking for the rest of the passers in Cagayan de Oro City will be on February 12.

The President of XU, in his memorandum issued to the University, warmly expressed his gratitude to Dean Palad and to the faculty and staff of the college for their tireless guidance and support to the students. He also thanked the students for the distinction and honor they have given to the university. “We thank God for this grace. And we ask our new nurses to go with God, wherever they are, even as we ask God to bless them always in the noble and holy mission of nursing others to life,” says Fr. Villarin.