CDA Reporter

North Idaho College celebrated the graduation of 40 students from the NIC Nursing program in a pinning ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15 in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus in Coeur d’Alene. 

The graduating class of students started their two-year journey Jan. 11, 2021, almost a full year after the first confirmed case of COVID in the U.S. Graduates were commended by faculty, staff and peers for pushing through the obstacles created by the pandemic. 

“This group forged ahead in spite of the pandemic; in spite of the uncertainty; in spite of the fear,” said graduate Claire Law. “You must really want to be a nurse if you’re willing to do nursing school in the middle of a pandemic.” 

Students said they heard from many people during their application process that going to school for nursing was difficult, and even with the challenges of starting in the middle of the pandemic, they decided that the NIC Nursing program was the best choice for their career goals. 

“[The nursing program] has a really good reputation,” said graduate Kevin Baker of Spokane Valley. “I’ve met preceptors that will only take North Idaho students because they feel like they’re the best out there.” 

Entry into the nursing program is limited, and because of this, students are selected from a pool of applicants using a competitive point-based system. 

“It’s one of the hardest programs around,” Baker said. “It really helped me prepare to be a nurse so I can hit the ground running with my job after I graduate and feel really well prepared.” 

Myles Larson, NIC simulation operations and technology coordinator, spoke during the ceremony about how graduates should continue learning even after leaving higher education, especially in subjects they are passionate about.  

“The old adage goes something like ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,’” Larson said. “I have learned that is almost completely false. Find a job you love and you’ll work harder than you have ever thought possible.” 

For more information, contact NIC Associate Dean of Nursing and Health Professions Erlene Pickett at Erlene.Pickett@nic.edu or (208) 769-3278.

Original source can be found here.