BACOLOD CITY – Two nursing graduates from Negros Occidental placed eighth in the November 2024 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination.
NAKAR (via UNO-R)
Mary Catherine Nakar, a resident of Kabankalan City, and Ellisha Leigh Perocho, from Bago City, both obtained a 91 percent rating in the board examination held in Cebu City from Nov. 9 to 10.
Nakar graduated magna cum laude from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in June while Perocho completed her degree at the University of Saint La Salle (USLS)-Bacolod.
Nakar said that she initially wanted to become an accountant or a psychologist but since she was unsure at that time, she decided to enroll in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand during her senior high school in UNO-R to enable her to choose various options in preparation for college.
She said that her classmates influenced her to take up nursing when she reached college.
Nakar said that she did not expect to be a topnotcher as she just wanted to pass the exam with satisfaction and fulfillment and no regrets. “But the Lord gave me more than what I asked for,” she added.
She recalled that she took time to review and tried her best during the exam. Nakar said that her family inspired her to strive for excellence. She thanked her family and relatives for supporting her studies, for investing their time and resources despite the financial challenges of the course, and believing in her.
“I’m sharing this happiness and joy because this success would not be possible if not with you all, who believed in me,” she said.
She said that she had no reason to waste the efforts of her family who ensured that she finishes her education.
Nakar recalled that she was awakened by her family to inform her of the results of the exam. She thought that she was just dreaming until she was able to see the results herself. “It was unbelievable,” she said.
She advised students to never neglect or waste the chance given to them to study because it will lead them to reach their goals. Nakar plans to work as a clinic instructor at her alma mater and apply for a job in one of the hospitals here.
Inspired by grandmother
Perocho said that she was inspired to take up nursing from her grandmother, a midwife.
Perocho said that she saw her grandmother help so many people all throughout her life. “It’s actually fulfilling, and I got inspired by her,” she added.
Her grandmother passed away during the pandemic in her freshman year in college. “It fueled me to continue with my goal to become a nurse,” she said, adding that if her grandmother is still alive, she would really hug her tight.
Perocho said that it was also during the pandemic when she felt the strong urge to take up nursing because she saw the need for more nurses in the Philippines especially in a health emergency.
She said that she learned the results of the exam when she heard her mother crying while she was asleep. “I thought I was dreaming at that time. It still hasn't sunk in until now,” she said.
Perocho said that she was hopeful and prepared herself for the worst when she took the exam. “I was open to all possibilities. I even accepted whatever is given to me,” she added.
She said that she felt a lot of pressure at that time because of the expectations of people around her. But it did not stop her and even motivated her to do her best.
Perocho dedicated her feat to her family, who did not give up on her dream. “This feat symbolizes all the sacrifices of my family. This is my chance to return what they did for me,” she said.
Perocho is the eldest of the three children of a housewife and a company driver.
She said that she is grateful to her family. “I’ve got nothing but a grateful heart. This feat is a teamwork, a collaborative work of the people behind me,” she said.
Perocho graduated junior high school at Sum-ag National High School and finished senior high school at USLS-Bacolod.