Shee Jay Axyne Borinaga 
“Suntok sa buwan.”
This is how Samar State University’s (SSU) newly registered nurse Charles Gabon described his dream of being part of the topnotchers list of this year’s Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE).
Among the 32,203 PNLE takers in November 2023, Gabon landed 9th place with an average of 89.40%, distinguishing himself among the 25,671 successful passers. He took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing at SSU, belonging to the Batch Chiastolite who graduated earlier this year around June.
Unfolding his experiences on the journey to becoming a registered nurse, the topnotcher disclosed his inspiring story. In an interview, he revealed receiving a mark of “incomplete” or INC in National Service Training Program (NSTP) 2, leading to retaking the subject during his fourth year of college in the second semester.
“Before the boards, I was hustling to graduate talaga muna and hindi magkaproblema yung documents ko for filing. I also found out na INC (incomplete) pala an akon NSTP 2 and diri ko na maco-comply kay na-forfeit na,” Gabon stated.
He shared dedicating his Sundays to the said subject, enduring the hot and noisy environment of the campus gymnasium while studying his notes on his mobile phone.
After graduating, Gabon flew to Manila and enrolled at Toprank Review Academy, where he spent five months preparing and reviewing for the board examination. He described this as the most challenging months of his life.
“… amo ini an pinakamakuri na months of my life, for me. May mga days na bisan pagbuhat and start my day was very very hard,” he stated.
“Ginapang ko talaga para maaral yung important concepts. And I was so happy kay nagpa-pay off akon efforts kay nakikita ko hiya ha results han akon post-tests and pre-board exams,” he added.
On the first day of PNLE, Gabon admitted to taking the examination sleep-deprived, experiencing a mix of emotions.
“… kulang ‘yung tulog ko sa first day pero binawi ko nalang sa [makeup] blush ko. Nung hinawakan ko ‘yung test question sa NP 1 namin, kinilig talaga ako kasi for me it was super okay talaga yung level of difficulty niya. Pero sa NP 2-5, I prayed for my answers nalang talaga kasi medyo mahirap talaga siya, legit na sumakit yung ulo ko pagkatapos,” he claimed.
However, even after surviving the struggles brought by the board examination, Gabon could not help but disclose the amount and level of anxiety he felt while waiting for the results.
“I think, ‘yung pinaka mahirap na part talaga ng board exam is the waiting game. Grabe ‘yung anxiety ko sobrang taas every day tapos iniisip ko pa yung mga erasure ko kasi sabi nila baka hindi mabasa yung answer sheet ko, I was devastated,” he said.
He emphasized praying harder and surrendering to his faith in the moments of difficulty and worry — “Ang lala maghintay ng results pero it was all worth it, topnotcher ako!”
Filled with happiness and gratitude, the newly registered nurse shared his message to all dreamers, nursing students, and his university.
“… just trust the process lang talaga. Hold on to your dreams a little more lalo na sa mga araw na sobrang hirap magpatuloy. Walang imposible if you pray for your dreams and actually work hard for it,” he expressed.
“Sa mga nursing students naman, magbasa kayo and don’t compare yourselves to others… Study smart guys, kaya niyo yaRN. Serve the people!” he exclaimed.
“To my university naman, walang hanggan ang aking pasasalamat! Nakakaproud manggaling at mapabilang sa isang world-class university katulad ng SSU!” He added.
After Lorelie Charresse Pomentil, Charles Gabon followed to be the second topnotcher in the history of SSU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS) BS Nursing contributing to and continuing its legacy.
