To signify the passing of excellence from the previous to the current takers of the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE), the November 2023 PNLE eighth placer, Ms. Erika Blaze Mondredondo, led in handing over the token of legacy to batch Labradorite, during the College of Nursing (CoN)’s Solidarity Night, held last March 22, at the Visayas State University (VSU) Gymnatorium.
With VSU-CoN’s nine-year streak of achieving a 100% passing rate for first-time takers, Mondredondo expressed the pressure she faced in taking the PNLE and described the ways she overcame it to give her best wishes to the next batch who will take the exam scheduled on May 6-7, 2024 and November 9-10, 2024.
"I hope that those of you who are receiving expectations and praises will not think that those praises mean that you are already great students with all the answers in your heads. Instead, I hope you will think that it means you are good students and that they see potential in you to be great someday,” said Mondredondo.
The Solidarity Night was the culmination of the VSU-CoN’s three-day Nursing Solidarity Days, themed "Celebrating Our Calling: Healing Hands and United Hearts!" held from March 20 to 22, which was aimed to foster unity and camaraderie among nursing students amidst their busy schedules.
In an interview with AMARANTH, VSU-CoN Supreme Student Council (SSC) President Angelle Caintic highlighted the event’s goal of providing students with a break from academic pressure.
“Timing-wise, we intentionally scheduled the event for the week after midterms to give us students a much-needed break from the mental strain of exams. It was a chance for everyone to step back from their academic responsibilities, relax, and enjoy some quality time together, strengthening our connections and refreshing our spirits,” said President Caintic.
The first day kicked off with a Thanksgiving mass at Holy Spirit Parish, followed by an opening parade to the lower campus oval, where an array of games and activities awaited, including tug of war, Chinese garter, sack race, agawang buko and kadang race—reminiscent of childhood Filipino games.
The second day featured a one-day league showcasing sports competitions in volleyball, basketball, board games, and a Mobile Legends tournament.
“As a competitive person, I have always enjoyed the feeling of going up against a fellow, so playing definitely took my mind off of academic matters. Winning, on the other hand, served as the icing on the cake of being able to play. Playing and winning left no space for post-midterm worries,” said 1st-year volleyball champion Estella Mae Basa Ragrag.
On the final day, the 1st and 4th-year students engaged in community service through a clean-up drive at the VSU beach, while the 2nd and 3rd-year students had a feeding program at Guadalupe Elementary School. The day concluded with a webinar on safety and quality management in nursing by Mignodel Marasigan Morales and a solidarity and culmination night.
As student nurses continue with their holistic development, VSU-CoN Dean Dr. Michelle Calda highlighted that events like the solidarity days serve as a reminder of the importance of unity, camaraderie, and perseverance in the noble profession of nursing.