Mega Doctor News
LAREDO COLLEGE – On Thursday, July 7, the third Laredo College graduating class of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) celebrated a remarkable milestone with their instructors and college executives. A total of 13 students shared the honor of making history for the college as the third graduating BSN class to host a memorable ceremony.
Laughter, tears and excitement could be seen as nurses were recognized at the exciting graduation. LC administrators and faculty were present to congratulate the graduating class of 2022 as they received their diplomas. Graduates cherished this moment as they concluded this chapter in their lives and prepared to embark on a promising future.
LC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Marisela Rodriguez Tijerina began the graduation ceremony, followed by an invocation from LC BSN Instructor Dr. Jose Luis Santos. LC President Dr. Minita Ramírez gave a memorable welcoming speech congratulating the graduates and everyone involved in the program.
Before graduating, students had to undergo an arduous application and training process to be fully prepared to serve in our community and continue their education. To apply for the program, applicants must have graduated from a nationally accredited nursing program, have a registered nursing license, have an outstanding GPA, meet technical standards required by the program, be subject to an interview, pass a background check and provide letters of recommendation.
After prospective students demonstrated the passion, value and the necessary academics to form part of the program, they were notified of their selection as the third cohort of BSN Program students.
This baccalaureate degree program enrolled its first class in the fall of 2019. The program provides associate degree nurses the opportunity to further their education. The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is built on four concepts: leadership, community, research and informatics. It prepares individuals to become professional nurses committed to lifelong learning by providing educational excellence and promoting student success.
Laredo College’s BSN Program was offered in a hybrid format. Some courses included in the program were Holistic Health, Legal and Ethical Principles, Gerontology, Leadership and Management, Population and Culture, Informatics, among other research courses. For their final community project, they constructed a theoretical nurse-led community intervention to help address a community health problem and worked with various members of the interdisciplinary health care team from the community
The South Campus College of Health Sciences Building also provides cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities for our health science students to have a great environment conducive to learning and honing their skills.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to practice in progressive healthcare arenas, understand the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) and lifelong learning and apply to advanced practice degree programs. Most of these students have already planned to further their education for the next step in their careers.
“In the past three years, Laredo College has helped 42 ADNs complete a bachelor’s degree, increasing the level of education in our local nursing workforce,” Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Operations Manager Dr. Marissa Jimenez said. “We are proud to report that upon program completion, our graduates are employed in a leadership capacity, including charge nurses, nurse managers, supervisors and other areas. Our graduates have also voiced confidence in pursuing a graduate degree after completing a BSN at Laredo College. Two out of three graduates are currently enrolled in a graduate program”
BSN students are committed to dedicating their futures to improving the healthcare of others through caring and expertise, taking LC’s core values of honor, duty and respect with them.
Anyone interested in becoming a nurse, contact the Laredo College Nursing Department at (956) 721-5252 or email nursing@laredo.edu for further details.
