A Victory in Nursing Education: Persistent Uptrend of Philippines Nursing Licensure Examination passing rate of Benguet State University

Abstract

The nursing licensure examination is a measure to ensure that nurses possess the competencies, skills, and attitudes deemed important in providing quality care (Pulgatinas, R., 2022). The scarcity of local literature related to the trends and performance of Benguet State University during the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination underscores the primary significance of conducting this study. The primary objective of this study is to collate and describe the trends and performances of the Benguet State University-College of Nursing graduates and test takers during the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination for the years 1994-2023. This paper employed a quantitative research approach with a descriptive-comparative and retrospective research design. Data were acquired from two government official information pages, the Professional Commission, and the Benguet State University catalog. Passing the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination (PNLE) is a prerequisite for practicing nursing, reflecting the seriousness and demand for the profession. Institutions like BSU-College of Nursing employ strategies like Competency Appraisal to prepare students for the exam, with evidence suggesting a correlation between institutional efforts and exam success. In 2012, BSU-CN introduced Competency Appraisal, resulting in improved exam performance, including the national passing rate, indicating the effectiveness of is nursing education program and providing insights for ongoing improvement. The PNLE assess nurses’ competence and education quality, setting a benchmark for excellence. High-quality education, including clinical proficiency and critical thinking, is vital for patient care. Integrating clinical appraisal raises standards, but individual effort is also crucial. Benguet State University-College of Nursing should prioritize continuous improvement and integrate clinical appraisal methods to meet PNLE standards, fostering partnerships for enhanced nursing competencies and exam readiness.