Bello, Burt-Nanna and Community Partners Congratulate First Graduates from MCC’s Licensed Practical Nurse Program
May 24, 2023
16 inaugural MCC Licensed Practical Nurse Program graduates in their white uniform celebrate their achievements as they sit with their recognition certificates and flower bouquets against a backdrop of balloons.
16 participants completed training funded in part through the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System; graduates prepared to fill vital job openings amid a nursing shortage
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Monroe Community College (MCC) President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Ph.D., today honored the inaugural graduates from MCC’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program. The 16 graduates are now prepared to earn their license and join the workforce full time amid a high demand for skilled health care professionals in Monroe County and across the Finger Lakes region. A ceremony was held for the graduates today on MCC’s Downtown Campus.
MCC LPN graduate Troy Kinsey (shown at far right) receives a pin from Grace Dengler, RN, associate chief nursing officer at Rochester Regional Health, while Cassandra Jenkins, MCC LPN lab coordinator, looks on.
“These graduates are filling a critical gap in health care. I am confident that every graduate from this program will contribute to building a skilled and dedicated workforce, filled with compassionate individuals who will positively impact the health and wellness of our community,” County Executive Bello said. “By providing a curriculum made for students who are working part time, MCC has made it possible for people already working in the medical field to advance their career while still serving others. We are proud of the graduates for what they accomplished in the classroom and excited for the contributions they will make to Monroe County.”
The LPN program is facilitated by MCC and funded by State University of New York, the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS), ESL Charitable Foundation, and Mpower. Powered by MCC, Mpower is Monroe County’s signature workforce development program that supports individuals for immediate career opportunities.
“Our program partners’ financial investment in our students and their future creates life-changing opportunities, particularly for underserved individuals seeking rewarding health care careers, while shoring up the nursing workforce demand across our region. In partnerships with Monroe County, the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System and employers like University of Rochester Medical Center, together we help our LPN students achieve their hopes and aspirations by removing obstacles that stand in the way of their completion and their goal of a family-sustaining career,” said President Burt-Nanna. “I am proud of these 16 graduates for achieving this significant milestone and following their passion to protect the communities’ health and well-being.”
Families and friends take photos and make videos as MCC’s LPN program graduates walk across the stage during a ceremony on the Downtown Campus.
According to an MCC analysis of the middle-skill labor market, more than 135 LPN positions are likely to go unfilled annually in the Finger Lakes region because of an aging population and a shortage of workers. The LPN program seeks to address that need.
The 13-month LPN Program prepares participants for the national licensure (NCLEX-PN) exam through on-campus learning and off-site clinical experience. They take classes part time and work part time while receiving stipends and other social support funds to overcome unforeseen financial emergencies and cover what would otherwise be lost wages. A majority of the participants are single parents and city of Rochester residents.
Upon attaining their license, participants are able to provide and coordinate care under the supervision of a registered nurse, educate patients on proper health, and offer emotional support to them and their families. The program is ideal for certified nurse assistants and other entry-level health care workers seeking to advance in their careers. Many of the participants are sponsored by employers, such as University of Rochester Medical Center, The Friendly Home and The Highlands Living Center.
Six of the 16 inaugural graduates of MCC’s LPN program pose in their white uniform with their stethoscopes for a group picture against an MCC banner.
For 15 of the 16 participants, the graduation milestone is especially rewarding. Before enrolling in the LPN program, they completed the MCC Clinical Bridge Program to ensure a successful transition to advanced training. A majority of the participants even began their MCC journey as students in the CNA Training and Development Program. They became certified nurse assistants and returned for additional training in pursuit of career advancement opportunities at health care facilities.
The LPN program, which was approved by SUNY and the New York State Education Department in 2022, joins the college’s 61-year tradition of preparing residents for nursing careers – from certified nurse assistants to registered nurses. All programs meet curriculum standards set by the New York State Education Department. Participants who pass the state licensure exams can begin their careers in settings like senior living facilities, hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices. The median salary for an LPN is $22.96 an hour.
For more information about MCC’s LPN program, visit MCC Economic and Workforce Development Center’s website (https://workforceforward.com/professional-development/).