MAYS LANDING - Thirteen Atlantic Cape Community College nursing students received their pins during the inaugural Practical Nursing Completion Ceremony held Aug. 7 in the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus.
This first class of 13 aspiring nursing students completed this three-semester certificate program, which has provided them with the required skills and knowledge needed to start their careers in nursing.
This year’s graduating class included: Mohammad Abbas, Iliana Alvarado, Julissa Bello, Darwin Capuno, Alexis Colangelo, Karina Dominguez, Christopher Flores, Mariah Hagins, Elmire Louis, Ashley Sprigg, Merlande Thelemaque, Annette Winterbottom and Haley Wriggins.
Dr. Josette Katz, senior vice president of Academic Affairs and the evening’s master of ceremonies, opened the festivities by recognizing the efforts of many who were involved in the Practical Nursing Program, including the Program’s Chairperson Dr. Nina Brannigan, Joanna Johns, HuiChing Wang-Yuen, Dr. Danielle Nicastro, Lawrencia Nnadi and Holly Atkinson, as well as the Atlantic Cape Foundation, for their dedication to the program.
An emotional Dr. Brannigan congratulated this initial cohort of students.
“It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate the achievements of the Practical Nursing class of 2024,” Brannigan said. “Significant to their success is the encouragement and assistance offered by others. I express my gratitude to the whole nursing program who were very supportive during this process.”
Dr. Brannigan also applauded the seldom-recognized and behind-the-scenes efforts of family and friends of the graduates.
“And, to you in the audience, without you and your support, the students up here couldn't do the work. As you all know, whether you're the partner, the spouse, the child, the husband, the wife, the husband, the neighbor, whoever, you certainly supported these students because we know the work that nursing entails and they need support. Thank you very much,” Dr. Brannigan said.
Atlantic Cape’s Practical Nursing Certificate Program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to help start their nursing career journey. Designed to be completed in 18 months, students may be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and enter the workforce. If graduates wish to continue their nursing studies they can apply to an LPN-to-RN program right here at Atlantic Cape or at any other institution. PNs can be a part of a growing and rewarding industry providing basic patient care, and supporting doctors and RNs with their patients.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/nursing for more information.
