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The first class of students from McHenry County College’s new nursing program will graduate along with more than 500 students Saturday.
Of the 28 students who started in the inaugural nursing program two years ago, 25 will graduate after a special pinning ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Sarah Caruso, one of the recipients of an associate of applied science in nursing, has been selected as the student speaker for the commencement, which starts at 10 a.m.

Caruso, a 28-year-old from Lake in the Hills, said the school’s nursing program was difficult, but well worth the time and money.

“It was extremely hard; it really challenged me,” Caruso said. “I loved it.”

Caruso plans to obtain a master’s degree in nursing. At MCC, Caruso earned her General Education Development certificate in 1999 and her certified nursing assistant certificate in 2003.

Results from a predictor test show that MCC’s first batch of students in the new nursing program are ready to get their state licenses.

“According to a predictor test, all of the MCC students have at least an 85 [percent] to 90 percent or better chance of passing the licensing exam on the first try,” Dean of Health Sciences Joan Flanagan said.
Those numbers give an indication of the quality of nursing instruction at MCC, Caruso said.

“The instructors worked very hard to keep this program going,” Caruso said. “We are very blessed.”

Many of her peers agreed.

“The teachers are the biggest strength of the program,” said Alissa Butler of McHenry. “They have just been so supportive, and they boosted our confidence. They pushed us when we needed to be pushed.”

Flanagan said the program will continue next year. In fall 2011, a new section will be opened to licensed practical nurses looking to become registered nurses. Further expansion after that depends on space, the number of instructors and need.

“We want to be cognizant of the community needs and not create an oversupply; we want to be responsible in the number of students we graduate,” she said.

At the same time, Flanagan said she wants the program to be ready to grow when it is needed in the coming years.

The 2010 graduates are not actually the first nurses to come from MCC. In decades past, the college had a program offered in conjunction with Elgin Community College. A new pin that closely resembles that first MCC pin will be presented to students at the pinning ceremony, Flanagan said.

Including the nursing students, there will be about 240 students at Saturday’s graduation from a total of 537 who earned associate degrees or certificates in the 2010 spring semester. Of the 537, 333 have applied for degrees and 204 have applied for certificates, according to college officials.

Janet Scott, a reference librarian and nominee for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association 2010 Outstanding Faculty Member award, also will speak at commencement along with interim President Kathleen Plinske.