loader image
Monday, October 6, 2025
83.7 F
McAllen
- Advertisement -

BREAKING NEWS: First Cohort of Nursing High School Students Graduate from South Texas College

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

Pictured: A group of 8 seniors in the Nursing Career Pathway Program at PSJA ISD were honored by South Texas College during a Pinning Ceremony held at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance on Friday, May 12, 2017. They are the first in the nation to graduate with their Nursing Associate Degree while in high school.

Mega Doctor News

- Advertisement -

PHARR, TX – A group of eight high school seniors in the Nursing Career Pathway Program at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD became the first in the nation to graduate with their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) while in high school. The group received their degrees from South Texas College (STC) on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the State Farm Arena.

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program at STC prepares students to become safe practitioners in the healthcare field. Upon successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science major in Associate Degree Nursing, graduates are able to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

First approved by the Texas Board of Nursing on July 23, 2015, PSJA’s Nursing Career Pathway Program is the first in the nation to address the growing need for registered nurses by providing a college-level associate degree to qualified high school students free of charge.

- Advertisement -

“This dual enrollment nursing program is the first of its kind in the nation. It is a testament to the innovation and creativity we are capable of in the Rio Grande Valley. It is also a testament to the high quality of the students we have, the great support of their families, and the effectiveness of the partnership between PSJA ISD, STC, and DHR,” states Dr. R. Armour Forse, Chief Academic Officer at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. “Such a program allows students to test their interest in healthcare early in their young careers, in fact in high school. For those that find their passion in nursing they have the opportunity to accelerate their careers. This opens more opportunities for their futures and allows them to enter the healthcare workforce early helping to alleviate our nursing shortage.”

The rigorous program was created through a partnership with South Texas College, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) and the Region One Education Service Center. To be accepted into the program, students had to meet STC’s school of nursing standards, demonstrate academic success and pass the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) entrance exam.

Doctors Hospital at Renaissance served as the clinical site for the students as they pursued their degree. During their time in the program, tutors and nurse preceptors educated them on how to apply their knowledge in the clinical setting. Additionally, it is DHR’s role to close the loop and provide these students with a position that allows them to foster their skills and gain experience.

“The success of the dual enrollment program for these ADN graduates is a testimony to these students’ intelligence, maturity, determination, and passion for healthcare.  Fresh out of high school, these nurses will impact lives through their nursing care as well as inspire others to follow in their footsteps,” states Dr. Norma Teran, Chief Nursing Officer at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. “This dual enrollment program in collaboration with PSJA ISD and STC is transforming lives, and we at DHR are looking forward to our continued involvement with such innovative programs that help our community.”

- Advertisement -

Following graduation from PSJA ISD and STC, the eight students will all pursue a Bachelor’s Degree at various universities. Doctors Hospital at Renaissance has also offered full-time positions to all of the graduates.

The eight seniors include: Luis Silos from PSJA North ECHS who will attend University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV); Alexia Marez from PSJA Memorial ECHS who will attend Texas A&M University; Liesel Aranda from PSJA Southwest ECHS who will attend Our Lady of the Lake University; and six seniors from PSJA Memorial ECHS, Itati Perez (University of Texas at Arlington); Iris García (University of Texas at Austin); Guadalupe Mendoza (UTRGV); Abigail Villarreal (UTRGV) and Guadalupe Salinas (UTRGV).

Due to their extraordinary accomplishment, the students will be honored by Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System during an Inaugural Dual Enrollment Nursing Program Celebration this Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance.

“We are extremely proud of our students for their commitment and hard work in completing this rigorous program,” said Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent of Schools. “Thank you to our dedicated staff and partners for supporting our students throughout this journey.”

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

Unidos Contra la Diabetes to Host 2026 Mini-Symposium and Annual Dia-Beat-IT Health Fair, Nov. 5th

Unidos Contra la Diabetes (UCD) has announced that its 2026 Mini-Symposium and Annual Dia-Beat-IT Health Fair is less than a month away. Moises Arjona Jr., MS, CHWI, Collective Impact Director for UCD, reminded community partners and stakeholders of the upcoming event, encouraging participation and support.

DHR Health Breast Cancer Symposium, Oct. 11th 

To support providers in the community, the DHR Health Continuing Medical Education Department will host the Breast Cancer Symposium on Saturday, October 11, at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, located at 118 Paseo del Prado.

DHR Health Introduces Advanced PSMA-PET Imaging with Illuccix® for Prostate Cancer Care

To support early and accurate detection, DHR Health now offers Illuccix (kit for the preparation of gallium Ga 68 gozetotide injection), a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging tracer for the detection of prostate cancer.

TMA Supports Guidelines Recommending Younger Breast Cancer Screening Age

Women should begin routine annual mammography screenings at age 40, according to guidelines by the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging (ACR/SBI). Breast cancer screening guidelines vary on the initiation age for mammograms (40 versus 45 versus 50 years of age) and screening frequency (annual versus biennial).
- Advertisement -
×