Topping the nursing board

CEBU, Philippines – Prayers, confidence and good genes were Marie Kathrina Torralba Tojong's secret weapons to achieve her dream of topping the Philippine National Nursing Licensure Exam.

Twenty-five-year-old Kathrina from the University of the Visayas was one of the 8th placers in the Nursing board exam held last July.

Let's start with the good genes. Kathrina comes from a family of intellectually gifted individuals. Her father, Galeno, younger sister and she herself, are members of Mensa International, an organization of individuals who have high IQs.

"Being a member of Mensa is not something I usually advertise because it raises everyone's expectations of me," Kathrina shyly said.

In fact, she never really said anything about being a member of Mensa. This writer just found out after noticing the Mensa logo on her father's business card. Kathrina took the Mensa exam when she was 14 years old and was one of the youngest members of the organization here in the Philippines.

Kathrina's great grandfather, the late Dr. Leandro A. Tojong, who was also a former mayor of Cebu City, also topped the board exam for medicine.

"We always knew that she had the potential. She excelled in school when she was in elementary. In high school and college, however, we felt that she was not really exerting effort to excel but still she had good grades," shared Kathrina's mother, Lourdes.

Nursing was not Kathrina's first choice for college. She took up Computer Science for three years but never really had the passion for it because, she said, she always wanted to be in the medical field. It was her father who convinced her to take up Nursing at the University of the Visayas and Kathrina's finishing as one of the board top-notchers was a validation that she made the right choice.

But topping the board is not all good genes. One also has to prepare for the exams, just like what Kathrina did.

"I graduated in October and immediately after graduation, we started the review sessions in school. We had a lot of practice exams. When the review sessions were over, I made it a point to review on my own. I really made a schedule where at a certain time slot I would devote myself to studying. But of course, I also made sure that I had time to relax so that I won't be stressed," she shared.

Aside from her preparations, Kathrina also made it a point to think positive about the board exams. "Part of me was really worried because we heard from previous takers that the board was difficult. But I placed a lot of effort to think positively," she added.

Kathrina's close relationship with the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary also did a lot of boost her confidence when she took the board exams. Her mother offered 1 week novena Masses and asked the intercession of the Sto. Niño, the Virgin Mary and other saints so that her daughter will top the board. "We even asked the help of departed relatives," Mrs. Tojong said.

When the board exam results were released last August 27, Kathrina was clueless about her achievement. "I did not expect the results to be out on that day. Some of my classmates just started congratulating me through text. It was a pleasant surprise," Kathrina recalled.

Mrs. Tojong, meanwhile, got the good news from a kumare who called her up. "I was so happy because my prayer was granted," she said.

Unlike other nursing graduates who immediately aim to work abroad, Kathrina, who is currently taking up a Masters course, plans to gain more experience here in the country, and then specialize on being a nurse anesthetist, a nurse who specializes in the administration of anesthesia. This type of specialization, however, is not available in the country yet, so Kathrina may have to go abroad to achieve this next dream.

"Even though I may have to study abroad, I eventually want to practice here in Cebu. It is not easy to work abroad," she said.

As a way to recognize her achievement, the University of the Visayas, headed by its President, Cebu 1st District Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas, and Executive Vice President, Dr. Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas, awarded Kathrina a P75,000 check.

Kathrina, who was set to celebrate her birthday a week after meeting the UV officials, was so happy that she did her school and her family proud. (FREEMAN)