Alyssa Claire Almo’s FACEBOOK PHOTO
She aced the nursing board exam and emerged on top of more than 18,000 examinees, but it was not as if she did not expect or aimed for it.
While saying that she still can’t believe the good news, 20-year-old Alyssa Almo of Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation (RTRMF) in Tacloban, Leyte told INQUIRER.net that she had always believed in the law of attraction.
”I was really aiming for a spot in the top 10, but after the exams all I hoped for was to pass. Ranking first seemed surreal. I still can’t believe it,“ Almo said in a phone interview on Friday.
”I am definitely elated. Truth be told I still can’t believe it, I’m even a bit anxious to sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow to find that this is just a dream. I just found out late afternoon when my mom called me and when I checked my phone, there were a dozen of missed calls,“ she added.
Almo said she has been eyeing a spot in the top 10 even before taking the exam in November.
When asked for a specific ritual or preparation that she observed, she said she had no lucky charm, but noted that she had always visualized her goal before going to sleep.
”I ask God for what I specifically want, I remind Him every day. And one more thing, when I get curious about something, I really read into it and it would bother me if my questions won’t be satisfied,“ she said.
”I believe preparation for the boards starts the very first day we enter nursing school. All those sleepless nights and tiring duties are experiences that help with forming a knowledge base,“
Almo graduated with highest honors in college and excelled in clinical experience, but she said would not describe herself as studious in spite of her achievements.
In fact, she said resting and going out with friends had helped her focus on her goals.
”I fared well academically, since elementary, and I guess you could say that I’m an achiever. I joined academic competitions and various clubs in school. But studious? I’m not sure. My closest friends would say I’m not. But I do study, maybe well but not hard. I go out with friends even when exams are nearing but I make sure that I go to school prepared,“ Almo said.
”I think my weapon is that I listen well to lectures, so I retain it. And when my head is wrapped in question, I’d do my best to find out the answer even if it’s nowhere related to the lessons,“ she added.
Asked for her plans after topping the licensure exam, Almo said she was eyeing to be employed or may be take up Medicine, as she had always wanted to help her family financially.
”When I was a kid, I promised my family that I will help provide for us. Now I’m a step closer to fulfilling that promise. Whatever God plans for me, so it will be,“ she said.
Almo said nursing was never was easy and will never be easy for aspirants, but added that all the hard work and sacrifices will definitely pay off in the end.
”It is worth it, for we grow into people better than we already are. To my mentors and my school, thank you for molding me and my classmates into nurses. To my family, this is for you. Lastly, I give all glory to God, for without Him I am nothing,“ she said.
RTRMF also emerged as top performing school in the nursing board exam after posting a perfect passing rate.
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