Rarely do adults find the opportunity to redefine their careers.
But on September 16, 38 graduates of LaGuardia Community College’s Practical Nursing Certificate Program took another step to making this possible.
LaGuardia’s Practical Nursing Certificate Program serves as continuing education for older adults and an opportunity to work in long-term care institutions and city hospitals. The 12-month certificate program includes pre-clinical, core educational courses, and training in mental health, medical-surgical nursing, maternal health and pediatric nursing in health care facilities.
“I wanted to do something for people who have diseases – to help prevent them,” said Fanny Morano, who was the winner of the class Florence Nightingale Award.
Morano, who originally got a degree in Allied Sciences, said that while that was a good foundation, she knew she wanted more.
“For me, it wasn’t enough to just know the definitions of the diseases,” Morano said. “I wanted to actually do something.”
The graduates of the program are also prepared for the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nursing, which will allow those who pass it to perform similarly to Registered Nurses.
“The program has given the graduates the knowledge and confidence needed to be professional health care providers,” said Vincenzo Mendola, who was this year’s class president.
LaGuardia’s Practical Nursing Program was established in 2005, and since then, approximately 100 students have successfully graduated each year.
In her remarks to the graduates, Professor Ann Feibel noted that President Barack Obama’s health care initiative will be putting important emphasis on prevention and wellness.
“It starts with these men and women,” she said pointing to the new graduates.
