First graduates of Blinn vocational nursing spring cohort recognized at pinning ceremony

Twenty-six students are welcomed to the profession

December 13, 2024

Twenty-six graduates of the Blinn College District Vocational Nursing Program’s first spring cohort were recognized at a pinning ceremony Thursday on the Brenham Campus.

The traditional face-to-face program began last January, offering an additional start date that provided more opportunities for students. The program continued to offer traditional and blended/online cohorts in the fall.

Graduates were Kaylin Arnett, Austin; Jalee Baumann, Snook; Omar Barros, Melilla, Spain; Calyn Davis, Houston; Melody Dorman, College Station; Melissa Flores, College Station; Esther Goin, Bryan; Makenzie Griffith, Montgomery; Nora Griffith, Waller; Tamara Hancock, Brenham; Grace Land, Waller; Marina Mena, Anderson; Jazzlie Nance Somerville; Marissa Ortiz, Alice; Vincent Peters, Linden; Nakayla Pickens, Brenham; Jessica Rangel, Brenham; Lysetta Salinas, Navasota; Alexandra Schwartz, Houston; Haley Seaman, Brenham; Hannah Seaman, Brenham; Brittany Serna, College Station; Melynda Stapleton, Madisonville; Krysten Stevens, Centerville; Lauren Wilkes, Lyons; and Shelby Williams, St. Petersburg, Fla.

“I loved it. I think it was a great program,” said Borras, who traveled 5,200 miles from his hometown in Spain to attend Blinn.

Stevens praised the program instructors.

“They were always very comforting,” she said. “I was never scared to approach them if I had any questions. The instructors were really helpful and I enjoyed it.”

Peters said becoming a nurse has been his goal for several years.

“I felt like this was something I really wanted to do. It started in high school,” he said. “All of the instructors were very helpful, very motivating. It was easy to come in and talk to them.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 annual median pay for a vocational nurse was $59,730, and employment is expected to increase 3% between 2023 and 2033, creating 16,900 new jobs nationwide.

Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination and are considered licensed vocational nurses after passing both exams.

Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program offers a 10-month traditional track that includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical training. Clinical rotations are held at hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout the area and almost 98% of Blinn’s graduates from the program during the past three years have found jobs in the profession.

A blended online track allows students to complete their theory coursework online while attending face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences. Designed for individuals balancing a job and their nursing studies, the program was launched in 2018 as the first of its kind in the state.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing.