Silliman nursing topnotcher shares journey of faith, perseverance

What began as an uncertain career choice eventually became a calling for Lyzelle Marie Largo Omictin, a Silliman University (SU) nursing graduate who placed ninth nationwide in the August–September 2026 Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE).

Omictin, who earned a rating of 90.60%, received her cash incentive from the University on October 7, 2026, presented by Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista, vice president for Academic Affairs and Research.

Also present during the awarding were Dr. Freslyn Saco-Lim, faculty member and research coordinator of the SU College of Nursing, and Omictin’s grandmother, Vellesa Cortes Largo.

The recognition followed another milestone for the University, which registered a 100% passing rate, producing 79 newly licensed nurses. SU also ranked first among top-performing schools with 50 to 99 examinees and a passing rate of at least 85%.

Finding her calling in Nursing

A native of Lazi, Siquijor, Omictin had always envisioned working in healthcare, although becoming a nurse was not initially part of her plan.

It was her aunt, also a nurse, who introduced her to the opportunities the profession could offer and encouraged her to pursue Nursing.

Even after enrolling at Silliman, Omictin initially questioned whether she had made the right decision. Her perspective gradually changed through classroom instruction, laboratory simulations, and clinical duties.

Her clinical training took her to the Silliman University Medical Center, Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, and Negros Oriental Hospital Behavioral Care Center. She also participated in community and psychiatric nursing experiences in Barangays Bajumpandan and Junob.

These experiences helped her appreciate that nursing required more than technical competence. It demanded critical thinking, patience, adaptability, and compassion.

“Every patient encounter reminded me that behind every diagnosis is a person with individual needs, fears, and experiences that deserve to be understood and respected,” she said.

“Through my journey at Silliman University, I came to realize that Nursing was not only a profession I could pursue but also one through which I could find purpose in serving others,” she added.

Preparing for the boards

Omictin graduated in March 2026 and began preparing for the licensure examination the following month.

She enrolled at St. Louis Review Center while continuing to study independently, reviewing nursing concepts, answering practice questions, and examining the reasoning behind correct answers.

She credited her Silliman education for developing the conceptual understanding, clinical judgment, and discipline that proved valuable during her preparation.

Her academic journey had already been marked by several achievements. At Silliman, she received an academic scholarship and class honors. She also placed second in the College of Nursing’s Battle of the Brains and Battle of the Nightingales competitions.

Omictin was also part of a research team whose study on the experiences of caregivers of dependent post-stroke patients became a finalist in the Stroke Society of the Philippines Research Contest.

Despite these accomplishments, preparing for the licensure examination was not without difficulty.

She admitted that she sometimes pushed herself to study even when physically unwell, worried that taking a break would mean falling behind. Eventually, she learned that effective preparation required discipline, adequate rest, and attention to her well-being.

“I learned that pursuing excellence does not mean having to be hard on yourself all the time,” she said, emphasizing the importance of balance, perseverance, and faith.

A night she will never forget

The release of the examination results became one of the most memorable moments of Omictin’s journey.

With the results expected on September 18, she stayed awake until around 4 a.m. checking for updates. Throughout the following day, the uncertainty continued as examinees waited for the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to release the official list.

By late evening, exhausted and suffering from a headache, Omictin decided to stop checking and go to bed.

Just as she was preparing to sleep, notifications began flooding her group chat. Someone had shared a PDF containing the list of successful examinees.

Omictin returned to the living room and began scrolling through the names while her family, who had also been waiting, had fallen asleep.

When she finally found her name, she felt immediate relief. But the congratulations continued pouring in, prompting her to wonder why so many people were specifically greeting her.

A friend eventually sent her a link to the official list of topnotchers.

“I was shaking so much that I could barely think or read properly,” she recalled.

After several minutes, she found her name among the country’s highest-scoring examinees.

Overwhelmed, she rushed to her family’s bedroom and woke them up, crying as she shared the news.

The moment carried an even deeper personal meaning. The results had been released on the birth anniversary of her late grandfather, whom she described as one of her greatest supporters.

He had always wanted to see her succeed, and she deeply wished he could have witnessed her achievement.

“That night was filled with so many emotions – anxiety, fear, exhaustion, relief, disbelief, happiness, grief, gratitude, and finally peace,” she recalled.

Beyond the ranking

Omictin considers her success a collective achievement made possible by her family’s sacrifices, the encouragement of friends and classmates, and the guidance of the SU College of Nursing faculty and clinical instructors.

“Although I was the one who sat for the examination, I carried with me the prayers, sacrifices, lessons, and encouragement of the people who helped me along the way,” she said.

As she begins her professional journey, Omictin hopes to become a nurse who combines clinical competence with empathy, humility, and genuine concern for patients, particularly those in underserved communities.

For fellow Silliman nursing students, her advice is to pursue excellence without losing sight of the profession’s purpose.

“Becoming a topnotcher is a wonderful achievement, but becoming a competent, compassionate, and dedicated nurse is equally meaningful,” she said.

“At the end of the day, our goal is not simply to earn the title of registered nurse, but to become nurses who are worthy of the trust our patients place in us,” she emphasized.