College nursing program receives top 25 ranking

The Madera Community College RN program is ranked 25th as one of California’s best associate degrees in nursing programs, according to the recently released Nursing Schools Almanac.

Schools were ranked based on academic prestige, program breadth and depth, and student success on nursing licensure examinations.

Since the LVN to RN program began in 2011, the student pass rate from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing has been 92-100 percent for first-time test takers. The program utilizes high fidelity mannikins and virtual reality simulations to prepare students to work in acute care hospitals.

The LVN to RN faculty maintained face-to-face instructions throughout the pandemic, since July 2020, to increase student success in learning nursing skills. The program received Board of Registered Nursing re-approval status in October 2020.

Approximately 95 percent of the Madera Community College student graduates are currently working as registered nurses in the Central Valley.

Madera Community College offers a highly competitive LVN to RN Program, as well as an LVN program to include clinical partnerships with Community Regional Medical Center–Fresno; Community Behavioral Health Center; Central Star Youth Psychiatric Health Facility, Exodus Recovery Center; St. Agnes Medical Center; Valley Children’s Hospital; and Madera Community Hospital.

“We are very proud of our nursing program and the impact our students and graduates are making in the community,” said President Ángel Reyna. “We are fulfilling our mission and meeting a critical need in our region through the nursing program.”