Montgomery County Community College celebrated the achievement of 42 nursing students with an inspiring ceremony held on May 2 at the Blue Bell Campus, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward becoming healthcare professionals. 

Dr. Chae Sweet, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, welcomed the families and guests who filled the newly renovated theater in the Montco Cultural Center where the ceremony was held.

She congratulated the students who successfully completed the Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program and were ready to start their careers.

“Nursing is, indeed, a critical and high-priority occupation. Hospitals, medical offices and clinics are facing a shortage of qualified, well-trained nurses,” Dr. Sweet said.

“I am proud that you are poised to step into these roles and make meaningful contributions. 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.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Assistant Professor of Nursing Milissa Pelonero, shared her words of wisdom with the graduates.

Following Pelonero’s speech, Dr. Tammi Britt, Assistant Director of Nursing, described the history of the pinning ceremony, and then the students lined up to walk on stage to receive their pins and lamps from faculty members Lindsey Doran, Karen Karaban, Elizabeth Keene, and Kelly Lyles.

Together on the stage holding their lit lamps, they recited International Council of Nurses Pledge.

After the students returned to their seats, student speaker Leslie Pezzano spoke to her peers about their experience as nursing students and the strength and perseverance it took to complete the rigorous program.

Following the ceremony, graduates, families and friends enjoyed refreshments 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 March 2024, MCCC’s pass rate of the NCLEX-RN exam was 97 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 Dr. Stuart H. & Sandra K. Fine Nursing Program, graduates may seamlessly transfer their Associates of Applied Science 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.

Montco Blue Bell Virtual Tour