MAYS LANDING — Fifteen Atlantic Cape Community College Practical Nursing (PN) Program students received their ceremonial pins for officially completing the three-semester certificate program at the 2nd Annual Practical Nursing Completion Ceremony on Wednesday, August 6 in the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus before proud family and friends.
The PN Program allows nursing students to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge that are needed to help them jumpstart their medical careers. With the completion of the program, each of the new graduates now may sit for the NCLEX-PN exam to enter the workforce while others may wish to continue their studies by applying for an LPN-to-RN program at Atlantic Cape.
“Today we celebrate each of these 15 individuals. They accepted the opportunity and this challenge of completing the Practical Nursing Program. It is with great pride and this is truly a great accomplishment as they sit here today, having demonstrated their confidence in all of their coursework and their clinical placements,” said Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs, Dr. Josette Katz.
This 15-student cohort developed a unique bond which helped the group motivate and support each other through the difficult times.
“It took a lot out of all of us, a lot of time, but it’s worth it. I couldn’t have asked for a better cohort that loved each other. There was no competition. We got through it together and we finished together,” said Atlantic City resident and London native Tahmina Hannan, who plans to work as a nurse for a couple of years before returning to college to work towards her Registered Nursing (RN) degree.
Winslow Township resident Daniel Simone, who was happily greeted by several family members outside of the theater following the ceremony, realized before he started this program that he had a specific calling in life.
“I was originally thinking about doing radiology at first. I was here at Atlantic Cape taking my prerequisite classes and then I started thinking that it would a much better fit to get back into nursing. I was previously in nursing school, but I didn’t finish it. I then realized that this is where I am meant to be, so do what you have to do to finish,” said Simone, who plans on taking his licensure exam before searching for a good fit for him at a hospital, medical surgical unit or long-term care facility.
The pinning ceremony dates back to the 12th century when The Knights of the Order of St. John the Baptist were given a badge of the Maltese cross in recognition of their vow to care for the sick and wounded soldiers of the Crusades. The ceremony was then updated in the 1860s when Queen Victoria honored Florence Nightingale with the Red Cross of St. George for providing care to the soldiers of the Crimean war. Nightingale then shared the honor by presenting medals to her nursing students. This ceremony honors the arduous education completed by the nursing students and serves as an induction and commitment to the nursing profession and the safe and competent care of others.
“These are the best at Atlantic Cape when we come together to honor you, to honor the completion of your hard work. We know what went into you completing this PN program and along with your family and friends, and everyone in this theater, we could not be prouder of you. Congratulations,” concluded Katz.
Atlantic Cape’s PN Program began in 2023 with 13 students in the graduating class. Today, the Program is fully-accredited by the New Jersey State Board (SBON), and boasts an impressive state-of-the-art simulation and skills laboratory. The PN Program offers students a direct pathway to the LPN-RN Program, allowing them to obtain their RN. More than 3,000 nurses have graduated from both the PN and Nursing programs since their inception. Atlantic Cape’s PN program was recently reaccredited by the New Jersey State Board for the maximum length of eight years through 2033.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/practical-nursing for more information on Atlantic Cape’s Practical Nursing certificate program.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
