In an extraordinary achievement, Southwestern College’s Vocational Nursing program has been recognized as the 4th top-ranking program in the state of California. This accolade is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the faculty, students, and administrators who work tirelessly to support nursing education and the local community.Angelia Monroy, a nursing professor at Southwestern College, expressed her honor in being a part of this impactful learning experience saying, “Being a nurse educator and leader for me means transforming the lives of our nursing students, their families, and the health care experience of our patients. Working as a nurse is anything but boring, everyday comes with different challenges.”
The reputation of the SWC VN program for excellence in nursing education and its commitment to producing skilled and compassionate nurses has drawn students like Kriselle Reyes. Kriselle emphasizes how the program has not only prepared her for the challenges of the healthcare field but also fostered critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on training and mentorship. She states, “The program’s dedicated instructors provide valuable mentorship, pushing me to excel and instilling a sense of confidence in my nursing abilities.”
Camille Nero, a student from the May 2024 cohort, shares her inspirational journey, stating, “Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to become a nurse.” Camille’s path to nursing began in 2010 when she completed the CNA program at Southwestern College. It was her experiences working at Sharp Hospital alongside colleagues who were products of the SWC Nursing program that motivated her to pursue a career in nursing. She explains, “One thing my colleagues all have in common is that they are all products of the SWC Nursing program and are brilliant nurses and great leaders.”
Krystal Palkovic, a recent graduate, credits the program for her success in passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and excelling in her nursing career. She notes, “The professors were supportive and truly cared about the successes of their students and sending the most compassionate and educated nurses out into the world of nursing.”
Alana Lozada, another nursing professor, acknowledges the dedication of VN students and the program’s commitment to producing safe patient advocates for the community. She explains, “I am both happy and humbled by this ranking. Our VN team has and will continue to work hard to help our VN students be successful in all their nursing endeavors.”
Southwestern College’s Vocational Nursing program has earned its 4th-place ranking in California due to the impressive program completion rates and consistently high national NCLEX-PN pass rates, exceeding 99% for the last five years.
Samantha Girard, Senior Program Director, who proudly recognizes the hard work and commitment of both students and faculty states, “Our students are the fabric of our community, and I couldn’t be prouder of them and our faculty for the countless hours of hard work and commitment to achieving excellence.”
PracticalNursing.org, a leading resource for LVN students, has officially announced Southwestern College’s Vocational Nursing program as the #4 ranked program in California. This recognition is a result of a rigorous assessment process that considers factors such as first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates and student support, weighted by year. Southwestern College’s program has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting students on their journey to licensure and beyond.
The entire Southwestern College community is encouraged to celebrate this remarkable achievement, and the program’s official ranking badge can be used to share the news with faculty, staff, students, and the wider community. Congratulations to Southwestern College’s Vocational Nursing program for this outstanding success, and best wishes for continued excellence in nursing education.
