Montgomery County Community College commemorated the graduation of 44 nursing students with a special pinning ceremony held on Dec. 14 at the Blue Bell Campus.  

MCCC Dean of Health Sciences Cheryl DiLanzo warmly welcomed the families and friends that filled the community room in College Hall to attend the milestone event, while many others watched online via Zoom. 

Following the welcoming remarks, Dr. Chae Sweet, Vice President of Academic Affairs, emphasized in her remarks that nursing “is not merely a career; it is a calling to make a positive difference in the many patients who will be in your care.”  

“Today we celebrate not only your academic accomplishments but also your compassion and dedication that will define you in the nursing profession,” Dr. Sweet said. 

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was MCCC nurse alumna Christine Troyer. Upon graduating from MCCC’s nursing program, Troyer started her career in the emergency department at a Level 2 trauma center.

She later continued her education to earn her pre-hospital nursing certification, working for a critical care flight and ground transportation program in Philadelphia.

Most recently, she is employed by Penn Medicine and works in the heart and vascular ICU of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. She also brought her years of experience back to her alma mater, teaching in MCCC’s nursing program during the past year. 

Dr. Tammi Britt, Assistant Director of Nursing, described the history of the pinning ceremony, and the students recited the International Council of Nurses Pledge. Each graduate then went on the stage to receive their pin.  

Following the ceremony, graduates, families and friends enjoyed refreshments freshly baked by MCCC’s Culinary Arts students. 

MCCC nursing graduates are fully prepared to complete the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurses.

In 2021-22, MCCC’s pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam was 92.52 percent, which exceeded the state rate of 84.37 percent and the national rate of 79.92 percent. Most recently, in October 2023, MCCC’s pass rate of the NCLEX-RN exam was 95.35 percent. 

Many of MCCC’s nursing graduates are employed at hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics and other health care settings across Montgomery County and the region.

Upon completion of the program, graduates may seamlessly transfer their RN degree to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Some of MCCC’s top transfer schools include Drexel University, Penn State University, and Ohio University.  

For more information about MCCC’s Nursing Program, visit Montgomery County Community College’s website.

Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell Campus Virtual Tour