(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - May 16, 2018) - - - Columbia State Community College nursing faculty pinned 32 new nursing graduates in front of family and friends during a traditional ceremony held Friday, May 4 in the Webster Athletic Center.

"Our graduates are well prepared to enter the nursing profession as compassionate and knowledgeable caregivers," said Barb Blum, Columbia State director of nursing. "They are a diverse group that brings many life experiences from diverse areas of life. They have worked hard to reach this milestone that will improve not only their lives but the lives of their families, friends and community."

Columbia State nursing graduates recently completed four semesters of classroom instruction and ten credit hours of clinical instruction in order to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing.

Next, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination in order to earn licensure, which is required to practice as a registered nurse. The 2017 Columbia State nursing students' first-attempt pass rate for the NCLEX is 93 percent, which surpasses the Tennessee rate of 90 percent and the national rate of 85 percent.

Nursing students are trained to provide direct patient care in various areas, including medical, surgical, pediatrics and more. After graduation, these nurses will work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, schools and home health care settings.

"Columbia State has a reputation for outstanding healthcare education and is committed to preparing future registered nurses to provide patients with exemplary care," said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division and professor of radiologic technology. "Hearing 'I'm a Columbia State graduate' from a provider instills confidence and pride. Graduating from nursing school is a milestone to be celebrated. Congratulations to the spring 2018 nursing class."

The Columbia State nursing program is committed to excellence in nursing education. It has received full approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The program's four-year average graduate job placement rate is 95.2 percent.

Columbia State's nursing program has a competitive admission process with applicants admitted twice per year. For more information about applying to the program, contact Blum at (931) 540-2609 or bblum@ColumbiaState.edu, or visitwww.ColumbiaState.edu/Nursing.

Photo Caption: Columbia State Community College nursing graduates, light candles as they get ready to recite the nursing pledge in honor of Florence Nightingale and all those who have worked diligently to promote the nursing profession.