Mesa Community College graduates nurses amid Arizona workforce shortage

A total of 68 registered nurses, 19 licensed practical nurses and 20 nurse assistants were awarded degrees and certificates during Mesa Community College commencement ceremonies held Dec. 15–16 at the college’s Southern and Dobson Campus.

These graduates are now poised to fill vital roles in Arizona’s health care system amid a significant workforce shortage, according to a release.

Graduates in the Registered Nursing program earned both a certificate of completion in registered nursing and an associate in applied science, which is transferable to Arizona’s public universities. MCC’s nursing program is part of MaricopaNursing, a consortium of Maricopa Community College nursing programs.

For more than 60 years, Mesa Community College has built a reputation for excellence in nursing education, continuously evolving to meet the needs of the profession, patients and the broader community. Today, MCC’s Nursing Program is ranked among the top five in Arizona by the national nursing advocacy organization RegisteredNursing.org, based on strong NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates, the release states.

“The success of our graduates reflects the rigor and quality of MCC’s nursing program,” said Denise Lewis, chair of the MCC Nursing Department. “Our students are well prepared to transition directly into the workforce, where skilled and compassionate nurses are critically needed.”

The MCC nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, affirming the program’s commitment to high standards and continuous improvement. The department’s curriculum incorporates current trends in healthcare, including technological innovations, expanded nursing roles and workforce readiness, the release states.

“MCC’s nursing graduates are in demand because of their strong clinical skills, professionalism and readiness to serve in diverse care settings,” said Carol Achs, MCC dean of instruction for mathematics/computer science, sciences and exercise science.

Learn more about MCC’s Nursing Program at mesacc.edu/nursing.