LCC
nursing students rank among Texas’ best
Students who “achieve more” through their academic success bring recognition to Laredo Community College and its programs. Recently, two nursing students brought state honors to the college’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program.
LCC nursing students Evangelina Guerra and Wendy Suarez were selected among the most talented future healthcare professionals in the State and were bestowed a coveted nursing scholarship from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Suarez, completing her final year of studies in the LCC ADN program, was selected as a recipient of a $2,000 professional nursing student scholarship.
Guerra, also nearing the end of the nursing program via the LCC ADN Transition Track, received an LVN to RN scholarship of $1,500 from the Coordinating Board.
Dr. Juan L. Maldonado, Vice-President of Instruction and Student Development at LCC, congratulated both nursing students on their accomplishments.
“Laredo Community College is extremely proud of our two talented nursing students for garnering these state scholarships,” said Maldonado. “Considering that the selection process was highly competitive, it is gratifying to know that the LCC Nursing Program emerged as a winner among other major colleges and state universities that competed for the same Coordinating Board scholarships.”
El Paso Community College, UT-Austin, San Antonio College, UT-Medical Branch at Galveston and Texas Tech Health Science Center are some of the schools whose students also received the scholarships.
Dianna Miller, LCC’s new Dean of Health Sciences, said that academic performance was an important criteria used by the Coordinating Board in selecting the scholarship recipients.
“The fact that these nursing students were selected speaks highly of their abilities and talents,” said Miller. “It is an honor that these students represent Laredo Community College’s nursing program.”
Guerra, who graduated from LCC’s Vocational Nursing program in 1990, speaks with excitement about receiving the prestigious honor. She has been a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in Laredo for 13 years and is grateful for the financial assistance she has gotten from the state.
“I’m so proud to represent Laredo Community College as a recipient of the Coordinating Board scholarship,” said Guerra. “The assistance I am receiving has motivated me to realize my dreams and help make a difference in people’s lives as a healthcare provider.”
Suarez said she is equally proud of achieving such an important accomplishment, considering that she is a single mother who has had to overcome numerous hardships in her life.
“Nursing was not my first career choice,” said Suarez. “But, after an LCC anatomy instructor brought my class to view the nursing program, the experience opened my eyes and my heart to pursue this rewarding job field.”
Carolyn Otero, the new coordinator of the ADN program at LCC, applauded the ladies for highlighting the success of the LCC nursing programs.
“This is a tremendous honor for Laredo Community College because it reinforces the high quality of learning that students get from the college and its faculty,” said Otero.
Both Suarez and Guerra are expected to graduate from the ADN program in May of 2004.
The two-year Associate Degree Nursing program at LCC prepares graduates for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Students implement the nursing process with client care in a structured health care setting. The students participate in hands-on clinical experience at the two local hospitals and at other sites throughout the community.
The
ADN program is fully accredited by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) and
the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
LCC is currently accepting applications from prospective students for Spring 2004 admission through October 24 by 12 noon. Financial aid is available for eligible students. Applications are available in Lopez Nursing Building, room 126. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information, call 721-5252.
CONGRATULATIONS: Laredo Community College administrators recently congratulated nursing students Evangelina Guerra and Wendy Suarez for receiving scholarships totaling $3,500 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. From left, they are, seated, Guerra, Suarez; standing, Associate Degree Nursing Department Coordinator Carolyn Otero, Vice-President for Instruction and Student Development Dr. Juan Maldonado and Dean of Health Sciences Dianna Miller.
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