Sussex, Passaic community colleges graduate 18 from joint nursing program

Newton - Eighteen students took part in the recent nurse pinning ceremony at Sussex County Community College. The evening included an awards ceremony, candlelight ceremony, the International Council of Nurses pledge, and the presentation of a class gift. Many of the graduates have employment already in place with Newton Memorial, St. Claires, St. Barnabas, and Morristown Memorial hospitals. The students now have one more test to pass to become licensed registered nurses. Sussex Community has joined with Passaic County Community College in a collaboration aimed at helping to alleviate the nursing shortage. The partnership enables students from both schools to obtain an outstanding nursing education in Sussex County. In this innovative program, qualified students who are admitted to the Passaic nurse education program, offered in conjunction with Sussex Community, take their clinical nursing courses on the Sussex 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 N.J. Nurse Practice Act. Mary Ellen Rauner, vice president of patient care services at Newton Memorial Hospital, was a featured speaker the evening of the nurse pinning ceremony. She said the relationship between Sussex County Community College and the hospital “is a partnership that meets everyone’s needs. The hospital has the opportunity to recruit new nurses and the college is provided with a clinical site for their students to gain valuable experience.” She described the nurse education program at the college is “excellent,” adding that “the nurses it produces are very reliable and have done very well.” The hospital has provided financial assistance to help maintain the program. Faculty and students work closely with the hospital during the semester and many graduates go on to work there. The graduates, the sixth graduating class of the nurse education program, had the highest overall grades and standardized test scores in the 10 year history of the program. During the awards ceremony, Diana Jacobus received the academic achievement award, presented to the student with the highest grade point average throughout the nursing program. Karen Hengge was given the professional nursing award, presented to the student who demonstrates clinical excellence throughout the program as provider and manager of care, and member of the nursing profession. Melissa Lovitch received the N.J. League for Nursing award, given to a state resident who demonstrates involvement in student and community activities, particularly those related to consumer health projects. The nurse education service award went to Becky Grabowsky, for demonstrating both quality and quantity of contributions to the program, college, community and peers. Lynda Kus received the spirit of nursing award in recognition of her professional involvement, leadership and academic achievement, demonstrating commitment and passion in the role of student nurse. For information about the nurse education program, call 973-300-2284 or log on to sussex.edu.