By Jodi Bustos
Eagle News Service
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — On December 14, 2016, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) revealed the list of passers for the November 2016 Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE). Among the 14,322 examinees, only 6,836 have passed. To be included in the list of passers is already a great honor and blessing, what more if you received more than that?
Such was the case of Aldrin Erwin Salvador Bagang, a graduate of New Era University who occupied the Top 3 spot in the recent NLE with an average score of 86.0 %.
Bagang, an active church officer in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, believes, “You can achieve anything you want through the power of prayers.”
Indeed his landing on the no. 3 spot in the very competitive 2016 Nurse Licensure Examination is a big blessing from God, said Bagang, as he shares his journey of achievement.
“It was really the goal of my Alma Mater and my batchmates to be included in the list of top notchers. We’re not actually aiming for the topmost spot, as long as someone from New Era University will be able to get a rank on the Top 10, that will be a blessing that we should all be thankful for,” Bagang said.
He narrated how excited he was on the day the PRC was about to announce the NLE results. He felt very anxious about the results and tried to sleep. But since he was having a hard time falling asleep, he decided to go to Church to pray to God
When he got home, he received a text message from his batchmate saying, “Top 3, bes!” He suddenly felt an unexplained feeling of uncertainty so he hurriedly checked the PRC website. To his surprise, his name was indeed on the third top spot in the November 2016 NLE top 10 list.
Right after he got the good news, he ran fast to the Church again to thank God for such a very unexpected blessing.
“My sister hugged me while crying when she arrived home. We were both excited to break the good news to our parents who are working Abroad. I was very eager to tell them that all their hard-work had paid off because my sister and I are already Registered Nurses, a dream come true for our parents whom we are longing to see,” he said.
Bagang graduated last year with high honors. As Clinical Awardee, he usually enjoys his spare time at the school library reading current and advance topics in every subject. But he is not as serious as you might think. Just like the usual guy of this generation, he loves computer games!
He took review classes from March to June, and from September to November last year. But it didn’t end there. He always read his notes and lectures wherever he may be. There were even times he could not completely understand what he had just read.
“I’m not aware that I am already preparing myself for the exam back in my college days. At first, the reason why I read a lot is for me to pass my quizzes and exams at school, but when I started my path in the review center after graduation, I realized that I’m already readying myself for the much-awaited board exam back then,” Bagang stated.
The 20-year-old Registered Nurse took Basic Life Support and Advance Cardiovascular Life Support Training right after the NLE. As of the moment, he is currently taking International English Language Testing System (IELTS) review and is planning to undergo Intravenous Therapy (IVT) Training. And while processing his papers for work abroad, Bagang plans to serve as a voluntary nurse at the New Era General Hospital.
He attributes his success to his strong faith in God and unflinching determination to reach his dreams.
Bagang thanked his parents who are working abroad and who he only sees through video chat.
“To Mama and Papa, Thank you so much! I am where I am because of you. My success is your success, your hard-work and sacrifices have paid off,” he said with teary eyes.
He also thanked his Alma Mater, the New Era University for supporting him, and for being the only educational institution which provides not only a quality education, but God-fearing and competent students as well.
On January 30, NLE Passers of New Era University took their Oath as new Registered Nurses of the Republic of the Philippines at the Central Dining Hall of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Central Complex.
“To those who are planning to take the Nurse Licensure Examination, it is not too late, you actually have a lot of time to prepare. Prioritize reading and reviewing your notes and lectures, though sometimes it will make you feel bored and tired of repeating the same thing over and over again. Believe me, sleepless nights and tired mind will be worth after the exam. And the most important thing you should always remember is to pray fervently to God and you’ll never go wrong,” Bagang advised the future NLE examinees.
Written by Jodi Bustos, Eagle News Service