Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently celebrated the graduation of 38 nursing students from the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program, who are ready to start their journeys as healthcare professionals making a difference in their communities.

The College held a special pinning ceremony on May 19 in the Montco Cultural Center theater on the Blue Bell Campus. The event, organized by student co-chairs, Emma Patterson and Maya Crockem included several 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 for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses. In 2024, 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 healthcare settings across Montgomery County and the region. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 median pay for registered nurses is more than $93,600 per year and the 10-year job growth rate is 6%, which is higher than average.

Upon successful completion of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program and the 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.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Isabelle Porter, PT, DPT, Dean of Health Sciences, congratulated the graduates on all their hard work.

“I’m so proud of each and every one of you,” Dr. Porter said. “I want you to know that you don’t only touch the life of each patient, but all the people who love them. When you look at your pin, I want you to remember the lives of every single person you have the ability to touch.”

Following Dr. Porter’s remarks, the keynote speaker, Milissa Pelonero, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing at MCCC, offered her words of wisdom and advice, describing nurses as the “heart and soul of healthcare.”

“Be the nurse that listens without judgment, who advocates without hesitation and who leads with compassion. Remember, it will be your human qualities that truly set you apart,” she said.

The graduates then individually crossed the stage to receive their pins. Collectively, they recited the Nightingale Pledge, a traditional oath taken by nurses and named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

The Spring 2025 graduating class includes Djazia Aissiouene; Ryan Albee, West Chester; Sabrina Allen; Okelo Arum, Philadelphia; Ciani Choates, Abington; Hannah Cole, Phoenixville; Grace Coombs, Morgantown; Maya Crockem, Downingtown; Julie Cruikshank; Jessica Davies, Lansdale; Joseph DeMatteo, New Hanover; Kirstin Duncan; Nicole Erdmann, Penn Valley; Morgan Farrell; Jessica Floray, Pottstown; Amy Guzman-Coronel, Warrington; Julia Hopwood, Phoenixville; Kathryn Killian; Brianna King, Telford; Jieun Lee, Lansdale; Joshua Link, Feasterville; Eileen Ly; Kaitlyn Maggio, West Norriton; Abby McGahey, King of Prussia; Colleen Moyer; Brianna Mulrennan, Doylestown; Leonard Nguyen, Hatfield; Casey Parke, Barto; Emma Patterson, Drexel Hill; Laura Petiu, Fort Washington; Jessica Petro, Glenside; Melanie Piedrahita, Abington; Romel Pierre, Philadelphia; Kellie Sirianni, Erdenheim; Leena Taylor; Amanda Totten, Blue Bell; Alexandra Wilson, Kennett Square; and Samantha Wisneski, Boyertown.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from the student speaker, Ryan Albee, and Kyle Raczynski, MSN, RN, Interim Director of the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program.

“We all started nursing school as individuals who wanted to help others, make a difference and provide life-saving care to those in need. It’s the reason we continued to show up, work hard and sacrifice to get through nursing school. I know this still exists in all of us, and I hope it never changes in myself or any of you,” Albee said to the graduates.

“Congratulations! Today, you don’t just walk away with a pin; you walk away with a purpose. This moment marks the result of your hard work, sleepless nights, clinical hours, exams and determination. Throughout it all, you showed not only your intelligence but your heart – and that will make all the difference in the lives of your patients,” Raczynski said.

For more information about MCCC’s Nursing Program, visit mc3.edu/nursing and register for one of the upcoming information sessions.