HomeBensalem TimesBucks graduates 35 practical nurses to ease healthcare shortage
Bucks graduates 35 practical nurses to ease healthcare shortage
Students who excelled in a rigorous, full-time program are poised to begin well-paying jobs as licensed practical nurses upon completion of state exams
Bucks County Community College recently held a ceremony at the Newtown Campus to celebrate 35 graduate practical nurses. The GPNs completed a rigorous year-long, full-time program and are poised to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) upon completion of state licensing exams.
Graduates included Chima Ijezie, Daniel Mickson, Joanna Sharpe and Winnie Chung, of Bensalem; Sierra Thomas, of Levittown; and Anna Muncy, of Southampton. Graduates hailed from seven countries including the United States, representing diversity in the healthcare industry. Other countries of origin were Angola, Ghana, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria and Sweden.
Graduates also spanned a generation, ranging in age from early 20s to mid-50s, reflecting a trend of middle-aged career-changers turning to the high-demand field. Many graduates already have jobs lined up at local healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers and home healthcare agencies.
Meanwhile, NursingProcess.org, a nonprofit website for healthcare education information, recently ranked Bucks’ practical nursing program eighth out of all 57 programs approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Since beginning the program in 2002, Bucks has graduated more than 650 practical nursing students.