For the first time after 18 years, the University of St. La Salle hosted the Oath Taking Ceremony of the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE) November 2025 passers and received special recognition at the St. La Salle Coliseum on February 7.
This milestone coincided with the University’s recognition as the 6th Top Performing Nursing School in the Philippines, alongside Lasallian nurse Carl Andrew T. Soliva, who ranked 2nd in the recent board examination nationwide.
A total of 935 passers from Negros Occidental nursing schools took their oath during the ceremony, including 209 Lasallian graduates, who achieved a 99.52% institutional passing rate, surpassing the national average of 90.04%.
In his speech, Soliva shared his experience as a university scholar, reflecting on the financial challenges he faced and the sacrifices of his family that allowed him to pursue nursing. He expressed his gratitude for this opportunity, particularly as he observed many of his classmates balancing academic demands with work and financial responsibilities.
Soliva also acknowledged his clinical instructors and professors, crediting them for nurturing both their skills and professional values.
“Thank you for the hours you spent correcting our mistakes before they could become tragedies. You saw the potential in our clumsy hands and the nurses we could become before we ever saw it ourselves. You taught us not just the science of nursing. You showed us the soul of this profession,” Soliva said, recognizing the guidance and mentorship that prepared them for the challenges of real-world nursing.
Moreover, Soliva emphasized the responsibility that comes with becoming a nurse, noting that the white uniform now symbolizes more than academic achievement.
“The white uniforms we wear are no longer for just the classroom. We are entering the workforce as colleagues, and the places we encounter there will not be strangers,” he said, urging new nurses to bring compassion and care to every patient.
On the other hand, Hon. Merle L. Salvani, PhD, a member of the PRC Board of Nursing, reminded the new nurses of the deeper significance behind their title in her inspirational speech, emphasizing that these letters carry a lifetime of meaning.
“RN does not only stand for registered nurse. It stands for responsibility anointing. It represents respect earned through sacrifice, resilience shaped by challenges. Those letters will remind you that you are now trusted by society to care for life, to protect dignity, and to serve with integrity,” she said.
The ceremony was organized by the Professional Regulation Commission and the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing, in collaboration with the Philippine Nurses Association – Negros Occidental Chapter, bringing together university administrators, deans, and faculty members from the different institutions around the province.
This marked a historic chapter in USLS nursing history, reaffirming the University’s commitment to producing competent, compassionate, and resilient nurses ready to make a difference in society.