NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College recognized 29 graduates from its Nursing Class of 2026 during a pinning ceremony Friday at the Milburn Stone Theatre on the college’s North East campus, as healthcare providers across Maryland continue to face demand for trained nurses.
College officials said the graduates completed the program’s academic and clinical requirements before participating in the annual ceremony, a longstanding tradition in nursing education marking the transition into professional practice.
Dr. Nancy Norman-Marzella, dean of health, human, and business sciences at Cecil College, said the program has served regional healthcare systems for more than 40 years.
“Our graduates continue to distinguish themselves through their work as clinicians, educators, and contributors to nursing research,” Norman-Marzella said during the ceremony.
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing, Cecil College’s nursing program has posted an average 97.02% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN, since 2020. The college recorded 100% pass rates in both 2022 and 2024.
Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt said community college nursing programs remain an important part of Maryland’s healthcare workforce pipeline.
“Such an outstanding pass rate indicates that Cecil College is preparing nurses to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare environment,” Bolt said.
The college’s Associate of Science in Nursing program is approved by the Maryland State Board of Nursing and received renewed accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing in May 2024. The accreditation extends through fall 2031.
Graduates of the program pursue careers in areas including critical care, surgical services, and home healthcare, while some continue their education through advanced nursing degree programs, the college said.
More information about the program is available through Cecil College.
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