Bucks County Community College, whose practical nursing program is among the highest ranked in the state, held a ceremony Friday, June 28, 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 upon completion of state licensing exams.
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 healthcare field. Many graduates already have jobs lined up at local healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers and home health care 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.
