Nurses’ board rating scuffle

When I’m in nursing school, my parents are the focal reason why I push myself to excel in school, I once imagine myself as a NLE Board Topnotcher walking in the aisle, and crowd are proudly clapping as I come up on stage to receive my recognition. But that dream of mine didn’t happen, I passed the board exam but not as dramatic as what I thought. After receiving our Board ratings, friends start to compare their board grades to others. And now one question popped out in my mind, does board rating really matters? Is it just or fair if the board rating will be the basis in hiring new staff nurses in different hospitals in the country? Is it fair also if NLE will quantify a nurse’s potential and competence? Way back in college I always exert my 101% effort, I also confined myself in some of the pages in my nursing books reading them from cover to cover. I thought it would be enough or a great way for me to be on TOP, I didn’t graduate with honors but I’m proudly to say that I was able to top our exams in our review center where I enrolled after graduation. Let’s talk about my board rating I got a grade which is far from the top 10 posts. At least, I passed. Actually, I’m disappointed to myself because I didn’t nailed NP4 and NP5 those two subjects pulled my average down, but after that I moved on. I realized that it is not the true measure of my skills as a nurse, and as a human being as well. Just so you know, I’m one of those UNEMPLOYED NURSES, just like other board topnotchers and cumlaudes out there. Now you judge, what’s your point of view? Does NLE rating really matters? In my opinion, NO! I think there’s misconception about having a high board rating compared to those who didn’t. This misconception is built since our parents enrolled us to preparatory school from then on we thought that those top students in the class will be given more favor from teachers, they we’re given too much exposure in school co-curricular activities, because teachers has a immense expectation on them without seeing those talents hidden among those who are not on top. (I’m not against the teachers, it’s just I was developed in this kind of fallacy). On that note, I think it is not proper to estimate a person and rank them who are the best and not. On these hard years; character, skills and capabilities weighs more than board ratings. On the flip side, I have a friend who is a staff nurse in a tertiary hospital here in Laguna with a passing rate of 75% flat. But still, she excels in her field and she was once awarded as an employee of the month. So, on this matter, I could wrap up that board rating will not verify the success of a nurse; it’s how a nurse deal and persevere regardless of the misfortune in employment. I believe after reading half of this post you will judge me. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not bitter or what. I just want others to grasp the realism. Nursing is not about being theoretically wise. Its description is further than that. The embodiment of the Nursing Profession is CARE and COMPASSION, once you have these two qualities you can nurse and help other people. These imperative qualities will surely help you to be successful in your “calling”. So be ready, life has many things to offer.