Honestly, the air felt different in the Philippines during the last week of November 2024. If you have a nurse in the family, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The tension was thick. People were refreshing the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) website until their thumbs hurt. Then, on November 28, 2024—just 14 working days after the final exam—the dam broke.
The PNLE results November 2024 were officially out.
It wasn't just a list of names. It was a massive surge of 29,349 new Registered Nurses joining the workforce. Out of 34,534 hopefuls who sat for the exam on November 9 and 10, nearly 85% made it. That is a staggering number. If you compare it to the previous year, where the passing rate hovered around 80%, you can see that the 2024 batch really stepped up.
The Reality Behind the 84.99% Passing Rate
Numbers are boring until they aren't. Let’s talk about that 84.99% passing rate.
Usually, when the passing rate jumps by 5% in a single year, people start whispering. Was the exam easier? Did the curriculum change? Not really. The Board of Nursing, led by Chairperson Hon. Elsie A. Tee, hasn't gone soft. The exam still covered the brutal five parts of Nursing Practice, testing everything from Community Health Nursing to Medical-Surgical Nursing.
What actually happened was a shift in how students prepared.
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We saw more schools hitting a 100% passing rate than in previous cycles. It wasn’t just the big names in Manila either. Schools like Silliman University and the University of San Carlos were posting perfect scores for their first-time takers. When you have institutions consistently producing 100% results, it pulls the national average up.
But it wasn't all sunshine. The PRC withheld the results for nine examinees. This happens sometimes when there are pending issues or "liabilities" under the rules governing licensure exams. It’s a tiny fraction of the total, but for those nine people, the wait is far from over.
Who Topped the PNLE Results November 2024?
Everyone wants to know who the topnotchers are. It’s a bit of a national obsession.
This time around, the top spot belonged to Chariemae Cañazares from Cebu Normal University. She pulled off a 92.60% rating. Think about that for a second. In an exam where most people are just praying for a 75%, she almost cleared the board.
- Chariemae Cañazares (Cebu Normal University): 92.60%
- Juliahluz Gatchalian Quitayen (Ateneo de Davao University): Rank 7
- Jericho Angelo Cespedes Famador (Ateneo de Davao University): Rank 8
- Mhelanie Dhave Q. Vidad (Mariano Marcos State University): 91.00% (Rank 8)
The list of topnotchers actually included 103 individuals because of so many ties in the top 10. It’s a crowded podium. What’s interesting is the geographic spread. We saw a lot of dominance from Cebu and Davao, proving that the "top" education isn't exclusive to the capital.
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The Logistics of What Comes Next
If your name is on that list, you’re probably still celebrating. But the PRC doesn’t let you rest for long. You’re not really a nurse until you have that ID card and you’ve raised your hand in front of a board member.
Registration for the issuance of the Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration is done online. You don't just show up at the PRC office. You have to book your appointment through the LERIS portal.
Documents you absolutely need:
- Downloaded and printed Oath Form (the one with the barcode).
- Recent passport-sized photos with a white background and a complete name tag.
- Two sets of documentary stamps.
- A short brown envelope.
The oath-taking ceremony is the big one. For the November 2024 batch, the ceremonies are spread across different regions. Most will wear the formal white clinical uniform, cap and all. It’s a rite of passage that feels a bit old-school, but it matters.
Why This Batch is Different
There’s a misconception that the board exam is the hardest part. Ask any nurse who’s been working for five years, and they’ll laugh. The PNLE is just the gatekeeper.
What makes the PNLE results November 2024 significant is the timing. The global demand for Filipino nurses is at an all-time high, but so is the need back home. We are seeing a new generation of nurses who are entering a healthcare system that is more digital and more strained than ever before.
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They aren't just learning how to give an IM injection; they are navigating complex health protocols that changed post-pandemic.
Actionable Next Steps for New RNs
If you just passed, or you’re helping someone who did, here is the immediate roadmap:
1. Secure your LERIS slot immediately. The slots for initial registration fill up fast. If you miss the first wave, you might find yourself waiting months for your actual PRC ID. No ID, no work.
2. Verify your rating. A few days after the results, the "Verification of Rating" page goes live on the PRC website. You’ll need your application number and birthdate. It’s good to have this for your records, especially if you plan to apply for hospitals that have a minimum grade requirement for certain units (like ICU or ER).
3. Prepare for the NCLEX if you're headed abroad. Don't let the study habit die. Many of the top-performing schools now integrate NCLEX-style questions into their curriculum. If you want to work in the US, the gap between the PNLE and the NCLEX should be as short as possible while the knowledge is still fresh.
4. Check the school performance lists. If you are a student still in school, look at the "Performance of Schools" document. It’s not just about the top 10. Look at the passing rate for first-time takers versus repeaters. That tells you the true quality of the instruction.
The journey from "Examinee" to "Registered Nurse" is finally over for 29,349 people. It’s a massive win for the Philippine healthcare system. Now the real work begins.