Event Recap
2023 Fall Nursing Celebration
Friday, December 22, 2023
BHCC’s Registered Nursing Program celebrated fall 2023 graduates on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the Charlestown campus gymnasium. Jennifer Verstreken, the Interim Senior Director of BHCC’s Nurse Education Department, presented compelling data about nursing, emphasizing the critical need for nurses in the United States. She shared statistics on the workforce, salaries, job opportunities, and the impact of retiring nurses on education. Jennifer encouraged the graduating class to use their nursing roles to address the shortage, improve patient outcomes, and positively influence statistics.
Two student speakers, Samantha Munoz and Allanah Plemel, thanked friends, family, and faculty for their support throughout the challenging nursing school journey. They reflected on their experiences, highlighted the bonds formed, and look forward to making a difference in their nursing careers.
Dean Maryanne Atkinson concluded the event by congratulating the graduates and encouraging them to take the ATI “green light” test, the preparatory exam for the all-important NCLEX® exam. She emphasized the importance of remembering their time in nursing school as they embarked on their professional journeys.