11600 Columbia College Drive · Sonora, California 95370

Public Information Office: 209.588.5361 · Fax 209.588.5367

NEWS RELEASE

-- For Immediate Release --

Date: October 13, 2008

Contact: Doug Lau, Director of Marketing & Public Relations

College nursing program achieves high pass rate nationally

Modesto Junior College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program recently received the 2007-08 National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) results for its graduates and according to the report, has achieved the highest pass rate of any nursing program in the Central Valley at 93.06%. In fact, this NCLEX pass rate is higher than the national pass rate of 85%, as well as the statewide pass rate of 86%.

Starting in fall 2001, a cohort of nursing students of the MJC satellite program was established at Columbia College. Nursing students attend lectures via videoconferencing and do most clinical rotations in Sonora-area hospitals. In addition, the Columbia cohort students have local nursing instructors, a nursing skills lab and a human patient simulation lab currently housed in the professional building at the former Sonora Regional Medical Center site across from the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.

“One of the new features of the program that has enhanced its training capabilities is clinical rotation of students into the newly created human patient simulation lab. This lab is equipped with highly computerized manikins that simulate real people and real life clinical situations. With the use of baby, child and adult manikins at the Sonora and Modesto campuses, students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills are developed and strengthened,” said Bonnie Costello, MJC ADN program director.

The program has established a history of strong support from area health care agencies, high NCLEX pass rates, low attrition rates, and high employment rates. All alumni have found employment to date, with most graduates hired into hospitals where they receive extensive orientations and starting wages of $32 per hour, according to Costello.

The ADN program has also used grant funds to purchase additional hardware referred to as an Internet Protocol-Video Capture and Recording (IP-VCR) device. This device allows for the recording of all aspects of the nursing program lectures, including video, voice, as well as computer input such as PowerPoint slides and DVDs. Lectures can now be archived so students may access them from home or distant sites to reinforce their learning. The MJC Allied Health Office can be contacted at 575-6362 for more information.

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News Release No.069-08

October 13, 2008

For Immediate Release