As National Nursing Week approaches, this spring’s Warren County Community College nursing school graduates are hoping to celebrate by matching the success of last year’s class, whose members achieved a remarkable 100 percent passing rate on the rigorous NCLEX licensure exam and all quickly moved into rewarding careers as registered nurses.

“We have a history here of training great nurses and a record of helping them find positions where they can use their skills in this important profession – and establish successful careers,” said Marianne Van Deursen, Warren Vice President of Academics. “We are confident the students in this year’s class will have similar success, moving into emergency rooms, operating rooms, surgical centers and hospital floors where children are cared for – all places they are so badly needed.”

“The outstanding achievement of last year’s graduates not only reflects the dedication of the students but also underscores the quality of education provided by the college’s nursing program,” she added. “And this year’s graduating class has worked just as hard.” National Nurses Week (May 6-12) celebrates the 5.3 million nurses in the country, more than half of whom are registered nurses. It also marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale (May 12), who is thought of as the founder of the nursing profession.

Members of this year’s class will graduate on May 18 and take the rigorous NCLEX examination before moving into the health industry workforce, where estimates suggest job opportunities are growing by nearly 10 percent annually. Some expect there to be a shortage of more than 200,000 nurses by 2025.

“It has always been a great profession because of the important work they do,” said Warren President Dr. Will Austin. “Now, after we lived through the pandemic, it is even more clear to us how valuable nurses are. We’re very proud to offer such good training and to graduate skilled nurses who develop rewarding careers meeting the critical need in health care.”

The well-respected Warren nursing program accepts students with a strong grade point average and success completing the Test of Essential Academic Skills that nursing schools often use to judge student readiness in several subjects along with their general academic abilities. After enrollment at Warren, they first must complete 28 credits of certain general education and science courses, which typically takes one year. Then they are admitted to the two-year nursing program, which places them in in-depth course work and clinical rotations in local and regional hospital settings. Financial aid is available to help with the costs of the program.

Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX licensure examination, which upon passage awards them registered nurse (RN) credentials. The Warren degree can also lead to enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program in nursing or other medical careers.

“Enrolling in nursing training at Warren Community College presents a compelling opportunity, especially given the value and demand for nurses in today’s healthcare landscape. Nursing is not just a career; it’s a noble calling that allows individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of others,” Van Deursen said.

Nurses serve as advocates, caregivers, and essential members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, providing compassionate support to patients and their families during times of illness and vulnerability, she added. “Moreover, nursing offers a diverse range of career paths, from bedside care in hospitals to community health, research, education, and leadership roles, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and specialization.”

Students seeking additional information about the nursing program should contact an academic advisor at 908-835-2300 and attend a nursing program information session.