A Review of the NLE May 2024 Results: Fewer Takers and Passers
Updated: Sep 26
The May 2024 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examinations (PNLE) result, conducted last May 6 and 7, produced 7,749 successful examinees out of 11,116 takers. It earned a 69.71% passing rate, a 5.23 percentage point decrease versus last year's first-semester result. The previous year's first-semester result had 14,364 takers with 10,764 passers, yielding a 74.94% passing rate.
Number of NLE Takers After Pandemic
Appendix 1: NLE Takers Since 2021
The graphs above depict the trend in NLE takers since 2021. While there wasn't a consistent increase in first-semester takers from 2021 to 2024, a significant rise in second-semester takers is evident. This pattern is likely influenced by the academic calendar of many nursing schools in the Philippines, where the second semester concludes around March or April. This schedule allows students to finish their studies and prepare for the PNLE by November. Additionally, historical trends indicating higher pass rates or better performance in the November PNLE may encourage students to prefer this timeline.
Appendix 2: 2021 – 2023 Full Semesters total number of Takers and Passers
In the past three years, there has been a notable increase in the number of passers and takers following the easing of the pandemic. While this year's first-semester performance may be lower than in previous years, there is hope that the second-semester exam will yield better results. We should look forward to the results this November 2024.
Appendix 3: The early 2000s still hold the highest number of Takers
Although there has been a noticeable increase in the number of takers and passers in recent years, it pales in comparison to the golden years of nursing in the early and mid-2000s. The once vibrant nursing population in the Philippines has steadily declined, and this trend is becoming more evident over time. While the recent pandemic underscored the critical role of nurses, it also left many feeling underappreciated, particularly in a country where they are underpaid. This has fueled a nursing exodus, with many nurses leaving their jobs for various reasons.
Low pay is just one factor making nursing less attractive to Filipinos. Other contributing factors include the availability of higher-paying jobs in different fields, lack of work-life balance, the high cost and complexity of applying for overseas positions, challenging local employment conditions, the cost of education, and the moratorium imposed by CHED in 2010. This moratorium was enacted due to an oversupply of nursing graduates and the deteriorating quality of education.
Lifting of the Moratorium
The shortage of nurses during the pandemic and the declining interest in nursing programs have prompted CHED to lift the 11-year moratorium in 2022. This decision aims to encourage more students to pursue nursing by urging universities in regions with low nurse-to-population ratios to offer BS Nursing programs.
Appendix 4: Raw Data of NLE Passers and Takers from 1996 - 2024 (per semester)
Looking ahead, the World Health Organization's State of the World's Nursing 2020 report projects a global shortfall of 4.6 million nurses by 2030 if action is not taken. In the Philippines, the shortage is expected to reach 249,843 nurses by the same year unless substantial investments are made to retain them within the country's healthcare system.
The demand for nurses is continually growing, but there is a significant gap between supply and demand. The declining number of NLE takers and passers and the challenges of retaining skilled nursing professionals pose a substantial threat to the healthcare sector. While lifting the moratorium and increasing support for nursing programs are steps in the right direction, sustained efforts and investments are essential to ensure the profession's viability and appeal. Only time will tell if these measures successfully address the looming shortage and revitalize the nursing industry.
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