Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently celebrated the graduation of 28 nursing students from the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program, who are ready to share their skills, compassion and dedication with the patients they will serve.

The College held a special pinning ceremony on Dec. 17 in the Montco Cultural Center theater on the Blue Bell Campus. The event, organized by student co-chairs, Ashley Finley and Melissa Murphy, included special speakers, the presentation of the pins and the recitation of the nursing oath.

Following graduation, MCCC nurses are fully prepared to take the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses. MCCC nursing graduates’ current first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam is 93%, which exceeds the state average of 88% and the national average of 91.56%.

Many of MCCC’s nursing graduates are employed at hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics and other health care settings across Montgomery County and the region. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for registered nurses is more than $86,000 per year and the 10-year job growth is 6%, which is higher than average.

Upon successful completion of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program and NCLEX-RN, graduates may directly enter the workforce as registered nurses and/or seamlessly transfer to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Some of MCCC’s top transfer schools include Drexel University, Penn State University and West Chester University.

To open the ceremony, Dr. Chae Sweet, MCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, warmly welcomed guests.

“Nursing is not merely a career – it is a calling to make a positive difference to the many patients who will be in your care,” Dr. Sweet said. “You may already sense this, but always keep in mind that the patient you care for is also cherished by family and friends. The kindness and care you extend in every interaction makes a difference.”

Following Dr. Sweet’s remarks, the ceremony’s honorary speaker, Pennsylvania Senator Maria Collett, spoke about the importance of the nursing profession and her advocacy work to support nurses. Before serving in the legislature, Senator Collet had an accomplished nursing career, including work as a Level 1 trauma nurse, in pediatric home health and in long-term care supporting aging adults.

“Pennsylvania needs leaders like you in the field, and patients need advocates like you on their side,” Collett said. “Know that I will continue fighting in the legislature to ensure that our Commonwealth is a welcoming, safe place for new nurses and their patients to thrive.”

Following Sen. Collett’s remarks, Kelly Lyles, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, MCCC Nursing faculty, shared her heartfelt advice to the new graduates.

“As you leave this campus, remember that the world needs your voice, your expertise and your compassion more than ever,” said Lyles. “Healthcare systems are evolving, and the challenges are plentiful, but nurses are the backbone of it all. You are stepping into a profession that offers both opportunity and responsibility, and I am confident that you are ready.”

The graduates then individually crossed the stage to receive their pins and recite the nursing oath.

The fall 2024 graduates include Nahamah Afshar, Abington; Nicodemus Andanje, Norristown; Maryna Babur; Sarah Bartholomew, Pottstown; Majayla Clayburne, Philadelphia; Katherine Clouse; Matthew Daley, Gilbertsville; Shawanda Disabatina, Hatboro; Hannah Feist, Pottstown; Ashley Finley, Pottstown; Alfred Funke, Oaks; Charnei Hill, Philadelphia; Samantha Kim-Brophy, Glenside; Melissa King, Havertown; Gabriella Lapa, Glenside; Kathleen Lenahan, Eagleville; Natalie Lindenmuth, Ziegerville; Anthony Luca, Philadelphia; Ersilia Marano, Eagleville; Megan Maynard, Douglassville; Caitlyn McKelvey, Pennsburg; Melissa Murphy, Warminster; Tiffany Sautter, Pottstown; Jeremy Schenkel, Willow Grove; Tara Scollon, Glenside; Lauren Sickel, North Wales; Noah Solomon, King of Prussia; and Stacie Waters, Norristown.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from the student speaker, Caitlyn McKelvy, and Dr. Isabelle Porter, PT, DPT, Dean of Health Sciences.

“As we all go our separate ways and begin our careers, my hope is that we never forget that although it is empowering to save lives in emergent situations and watch as someone gets better because of the care we provide, there is equally as much honor in caring for someone in the smallest of ways,” McKelvy said to her peers.

Dr. Porter concluded the evening by acknowledging her mom, who was in the audience and has been a nurse for 44 years. She highlighted the positive impact her mother had on her life and the profound influence the new graduates will have on the many lives they will touch.

“Every single person that you come into contact with and care for is going to be so grateful for all of the hard work, for all of the cups of coffee, for all of the time you all spent together building each other up,” said Dr. Porter. “They are going to be so thankful for the work that you’ve done, even if they don’t say it. So, I want to give you the first of many thank-yous. Thank you for everything that you’ve done, everything that you will continue to do and all of the lives that you are gong to touch. I am so proud of you. Congratulations.”