FUTURE NURSES RECOGNIZED IN BLINN PINNING CEREMONY
Fifty-seven future nursing professionals were recognized with their nursing pins after completing Blinn College’s highly-regarded Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program.
The two-year program prepares students for a nursing career and for transfer into a bachelor degree program at a four-year university. Based at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Bryan, Blinn’s faculty works closely with students in a simulated laboratory and in clinical settings.
The Spring 2014 graduating class includes: Bretnie Brantley (College Station), Karen Cabrera (College Station), Amanda Chandler (Bryan), Elisabeth Cloutier (College Station), Alianna R. Davis (College Station), Justine Dean (Brenham), Lindsey Dean (Bryan), Cassie Denman (Iola), Leslie Donovan (College Station), Tish Elliot-Wilkins (College Station), Kayla Fortner (Bryan), Matthew Gaas (College Station), Elaina Goguen (College Station), Sarah Hajj-Ali (College Station), Janie Hart (Brenham), Catherine Kovar (Bryan), Johnna Lasater (Bryan), Young Lee (College Station), Erica Levan (Caldwell), Erica Lewis (Magnolia), Holly Magee (College Station), Shelby McLain (Bryan), Kathleen McLaughlin (College Station), Jodi Miller (Smithville), Lyndsey Miller (Bryan), Jessie Mitchell (College Station), Elizabeth Pena (Bryan), Lance Pena (Bryan), Monica Perez (Bryan), Kodie Petrey (Bryan), Ashley Rekieta (Bryan), Rachel Rivas (Bryan), Rebecca Rodriguez (College Station), Cassandra Ruiz (Navasota), Jessica Sahm (Bryan), Lourna Santana (College Station), Tonya Scott (College Station), Michelle Shepherd (College Station), Angela Shockey (Bryan), Amber Soileau (College Station), DeSheala Spencer (College Station), Dorothy Sutton (Milano), Tiffany Taylor (Bryan), Shanta Thornton (College Station), Wendy Tillmutt (College Station), Truby Toner (Brenham), Kiarra Vining (College Station), Monica Wade (College Station), Michelle Walker (College Station), Michelle Walker (College Station), Lindsey Wallace (Bryan), Ronghui Wang (College Station), Ashley Wehrheim (College Station), Hannah White (Brenham), Wesley Williams (Bryan), Cody Willis (Magnolia), Haviette Wilson (Brenham) and Jessica Young (Schulenburg).
Nursing students spend at least two days per week in clinical rotations, in addition to lab and lecture time. Most students spend 15 to 24 hours each week in scheduled program activities and 30 hours or more per week for study and preparation.
Students who complete the program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination have a job placement rate between 97 to 100 percent and are qualified for a wide array of nursing positions, including pediatric, geriatric, hospice, school and clinical nursing. New graduates can expect to earn over $52,000 per year.
In the past six months, Blinn’s ADN program was awarded more than $120,000 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to continue to meet the state’s growing demand for healthcare professionals. Fund disbursement is based upon the program’s enrollment growth and graduation rates.
Blinn has received commendation from the Texas Board of Nursing five of the last six years for having a licensing pass rate greater than 90 percent. Blinn’s pass rates are routinely above state and national averages.
“Each of these students are hardworking nurses who will make a difference in the future of healthcare,” said ADN director Michael Hutton. “I am proud to work with an exceptional faculty in graduating competent, caring nursing students.”
Blinn’s Division of Health Sciences, based at the Texas A&M Health Science Center, offers associate degree nursing, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, fire science, therapeutics manufacturing, veterinary technology and vocational nursing programs designed to train students for high-demand professions.
In addition to its campuses in Brenham, Bryan, Schulenburg and Sealy, Blinn teaches online courses, dual credit for high school and prepares students for quick employment through its career and technical certification programs.
Registration is now available for Blinn’s Summer I, Summer II and Fall semesters. For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu. Story and photo courtesy of Blinn College.
