The Nursing program at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) continues to deliver on its commitment to educate and train registered nurses as critical members of the healthcare system.
Elizabeth Mizerek, MCCC’s Director of Nursing Education, reports that program graduates scored a 92.3 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) during 2021, a rate that is well above the national average.
“In spite of the many challenges of a global pandemic, our students continue to outperform the rest of the country,” she noted, adding that 65 program alumni are ready to serve in healthcare settings throughout Mercer County.
In January, the college recognized the 41 graduates from the Class of Winter 2022 at a Nursing Education Pinning Ceremony at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre. More than 20 of these students recently passed the NCLEX-RN, adding to last year’s total. (The rest of the class will take the exam in the near future.)
This was the first in-person pinning ceremony at the college in two years; it was also livestreamed for family and friends at home.
Director Mizerek presided over the milestone event, with President Dr. Jianping Wang and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Robert Schreyer sharing congratulatory remarks.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates was Valedictorian Samira Sadqi. “We started nursing school thinking it was going to be hard, but we could handle it. But then came the pandemic,” she recalled. “I’m so proud to graduate among the most resourceful, dedicated, and resilient nurses MCCC will ever have.”
Sadqi gratefully acknowledged the tremendous support of faculty, as well as family and friends, but noted the special role of her fellow students. “You all helped me,” she told them. “Nursing school challenged us in ways we had never been challenged before. We all deserve to be recognized for working relentlessly to be here today. Go out and show the world how incredible you are.”
Six graduates received special recognition for a job well done: Amyjaelle Belot (Perseverance Award); Alexa Cottrell (Clinical Excellence Award); Carrie Hixson (Teamwork Award); Jean Raymond Louis Jacques (Professionalism Award); Chantelle Mason-Randall (Caring Award); and Samira Sadqi (Academic Excellence Award).
Congratulations to MCCC’s Nursing Class of January 2022: Andrew Aupperle, Muhammad Bakht, Amyjaelle Belot, Kimberly Beltran, Janet Bongard, Grecia Caceres, John Cavolo., Alexa Cottrell, Jessica Dixon, Marilin Figueroa, Karli Garzillo, Samary Gibson, Raquel Gonzalez, Carrie Hixson, Mai Keruakous, Azalea Logan, Geraldine Lopez, Jean Raymond Louis Jacques, Melissa Lyon, Martha Marquez, Alison Martin, Chantelle Mason-Randall, Shani Mayorga, Amanda Myers-Morales, Shaquille Nelson, Udechukwu Ogueri, Trevor Roberto, Walter Rouba, Samira Sadqi, Samantha Samuels, Malik Sanders, Yanique Shirley, Brandon Taylor, Sarah Thrower, Maria Verdugo, Dorine Viel, Carlos Villeda, Kelsie Whalen, Latasha White, Eleanor Wilton and Jason Woods.
