Posted: May 21, 2019Written by: Ritchie Bermudez

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cuesta College’s Registered Nursing (RN) program celebrates its 51stgraduating class with a Pinning Ceremony on May 24th at 11:00 a.m. in the Dr. Gilbert H. Stork Gymnasium on the San Luis Obispo Campus. The 43 graduates will receive their Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN).

The RN program's first class earned their nursing pins in 1969, and since then, Cuesta College has educated and graduated almost 1,900 nurses. This year’s cohort includes students ranging in age from 23 to 62 and is made up of 30 females and 13 males. Thirty-eight of the graduates are from within the San Luis Obispo County, four from northern Santa Barbara County, and one from out of the area. Seventeen of the graduating students are in the third class of the California State University Monterey Bay – Cuesta College ADN to BSN program on target to receive their Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) in May 2020.

The Cuesta College Nursing Program consistently ranks as one of the top programs in California. Class of 2019 had the honor of being enrolled when the Cuesta RN program was awarded the number one spot in the 2018 Top Ranked Nursing Schools in California, and when the program received a Strong Workforce Gold Star award from the California Community College Chancellor's Office. The award recognizes programs with significant increases in earnings, livable wages, and job placement that students experience upon completion. Ninety percent of this year’s graduating class has already secured employment.

“The caliber of students admitted into our program is high,” says Cuesta College Director of Nursing Marcia Scott. “Students entering our program have known for many years that they want to become nurses and engage fully in prerequisite coursework as well as professional and volunteer experiences to be well prepared for success once they enter the RN program.”

The second class of Cuesta College’s ADN to BSN collaborative program with CSU Monterey Bay graduated on May 18th. Seventeen students who earned their ADN from Cuesta College in May 2018 completed their advanced BSN degree just 12 months later with all courses taken in San Luis Obispo.

“These 17 students have been working as RNs in our community for the past year while working on their BSN degree,” says Scott. “Their dedication and commitment to advance their nursing education by obtaining their BSN will advance their career opportunities. They are well on their way to become nurse leaders in our community and make a difference in local and global healthcare.” 

A live stream of the pinning ceremony will be available on the Cuesta College website at bit.ly/streamgrad. 

For more information about Cuesta College’s Nursing Program, please visit their webpage or call (805) 546-3138.