LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – For the 20-year old native of the vegetable-producing town of Buguias and this year’s sixth placer in the May Nursing Licensure Examination, rendering community work in remote villages in the different parts of the Cordillera that are identified to be in dire need of basic health services is sharing to the under privileged our God-given talent.
Karen Koy Tuban Compelio, the daughter of a farmer and a housewife from Sinipsip, Bugauias, and a magna cum laude nursing graduate of the State-run Benguet State University (BSU), had the Lord to thank for giving in to her prayers for her to hurdle one of the major obstacles for her success, which was to pass the Nursing Licensure Examination with flying colors and for the members of her family for their all-out support to her in her chosen field of profession.
“Taking up nursing was the first that came into my mind after I graduated from high school. My friends and some family members in my father’s side who finished nursing were also part of those who guided me through the duration of my four years stint in college taking up the allied medical course,” she said.
Karen Joy is the third child of Nelio Compelio and Agustina Tuba-Compelio. Her older brother Alvin Jay is a college undergraduate, her older sister April Joy is now a registered nurse while her younger brother Nel Joseph is a second-year college student of the Benguet State University (BSU).
She both graduated as valedictorian at the Sinipsip Elementary School in Buguias and at the BSU High School Department during her elementary and high school days.
Karen Joy cited during their community immersion assignments in college, she was able to witness how difficult life is in the remote parts of the region, especially the inability of the people to have sufficient access to basic health services, that is why part of her time would be devoted to rendering services to them as part of her voluntary services and as a way of expressing her satisfaction to her initial success in life, primarily for placing sixth overall in the examination.
While she was able to undergo a rigid review prior to taking up the licensure examination last May, Karen Joy described the situation during the actual examination dates as totally different compared to the examination periods when she was still studying.
“I was tensed right at the start of the examination, especially when I started reading the first question, that is why placing sixth overall came to me as a surprise and also a well-deserved prize for the sacrifices that I made during my studies and review,” she added.
Karen Joy plans to take the challenges in her life one at a time and that she is currently weighing her options but her priority is to be able to have a good job in order to help her parents and her sister, who plans to work overseas,.
Although part of her plan is to work overseas for a greener pasture, the young nurse claimed that the same would be the least priority as service to the under privileged would remain as her major plan and for her contributions to be treated as part of her bringing back to the community part of her success.
When asked on her advise to upcoming professionals, she cited today’s youth must not second guess themselves and for them to have true faith on the Lord who will guide them on the difficult, challenging, rigorous road to success and for them to learn to reflect on their mistakes which will be their vehicle to reach the top in the future.
Karen Joy is described by friends to be studious, hardworking, patient and responsible which were the virtues that guided her to achieve her success in her chosen field of profession which she plans to put to practice by serving the under privileged Cordillerans.
On the low compensation for nurses, Karen Joy said it is high time that the government and the private sectors consider providing nurses with adequate compensation in order to entice nurses to remain in the country to serve their constituents instead of mainly considering the option to primarily work abroad due to the attractive compensation package.
She underscored being able to convince nurses to help in delivering basic health services to the remote villages in the country will significantly contribute in effectively and efficiently addressing health-related problems and would contribute in uplifting the lives of the people.
By Dexter A. See
