14 graduate from nursing program
NEWTON. Qualified students who are admitted to the Passaic County Community College Nurse Education Program take the clinical courses on the Sussex County Community College campus.
Newton /
| 06 Mar 2023 | 03:49
Sitting, from left, are Ashley Benecki, Kristin Smith, Kelly Kearns, Yuliia Baluk, Marilynn Aulov Vandertulip, Katheryn Szatkiewicz and Janie Sutton and standing, from left, are Chanelle Spivak, Natalia Lolo, Valentina Malanga, Leila Alliu, Christopher Rinkel, Michael Ireland and Meghan Decoite.
Sussex County Community College (SCCC), in partnership with Passaic County Community College (PCCC), recognized 14 students at a Nurse Pinning Ceremony on Jan. 26 in the Performing Arts Center.
Pinning the graduates were Catherine Nelms, an assistant professor with PCCC Nurse Education, and Jodi Hirsch, an instructor with SCCC Nurse Education.
The evening included an awards ceremony, candlelight ceremony and the recitation of the International Council of Nurses pledge.
SCCC President Jon Connolly, PCCC President Steven Rose and administrators from both colleges congratulated the students.
After the graduation ceremony, the students have one more comprehensive exam, the National Council Licensing Exam, to complete before they can become licensed as a Registered Nurse.
These awards were presented:
• Academic Achievement Award: Yuliia Baluk, who had the highest grade point average throughout the nursing program.
• Professional Nursing Award: Yuliia Baluk, who demonstrated clinical excellence throughout the program as a provider of care, manager of care and member of the nursing profession.
• New Jersey League for Nursing: Michael Ireland, who was involved in student and community activities, particularly those related to consumer health projects.
• Nurse Education Service Award: Valentina Malanga, who contributed to the program, college, community and peers in both quality and quantity.
• Spirit of Nursing Award: Ashley Benecki, whose professional involvement, leadership and academic achievement demonstrated commitment and passion in the role of a student nurse.
Qualified students who are admitted to the PCCC Nurse Education Program offered in conjunction with SCCC take the clinical courses with PCCC on the SCCC campus.
The clinical courses comprise a four-semester sequence, which begins each January and is designed to include both general education and nursing courses for students who have selected careers as Registered Nurses.
The curriculum prepares students to practice in hospitals and health agencies within the framework of the American Nurses Association’s Standards of Practice and the New Jersey Nurse Practice Act.
For information about SCCC’s Nurse Education Program, contact adviser Sareena Scaiabica at ssciabia@sussex.edu or go online to sussex.edu/nursing
The graduates have one more comprehensive exam to complete before they can become licensed as a Registered Nurse.