What It Takes To Succeed In The Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam? A Retrospective Qualitative Inquiry on the Journey of Thomasian Board Topnotchers
1College of Nursing, University of Santo Tomas, Espana, Manila 1015, Philippines
Abstract
Background: Over a decade, only less than 60% of the total number of examinees passed the Nursing Licensure
Examination. A steady decline in the Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam (PNLE) national passing rate was noted
from years 2004 to 2014 with a range of 30.94 to 57.29 percent for the ten year board ratings (PRC, 2014).
Methods: This retrospective qualitative inquiry made an attempt to explore the experiences of 13 thomasian
PNLE topnotchers who successfully outshined the Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam for the past three years
(2012-2014).
Findings: Four emerging themes and eight subthemes captured what the thomasian topnotchers have done to
attain their ranks in the Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam. Four success targets were identified and achieved in
hierarchy that clearly guided them to maintain academic rigor and reach academic victory. These are the
following; Visualize Success, Begin Early, Do more than what you can and Transform your own learning.
