Northern Marianas College nursing graduate Dinna Mallari has joined the long list of NMC students who have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN.

Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to be able to practice nursing as a registered nurse. The exam tests nursing graduates’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to certify that they can apply entry-level nursing practices correctly.

“We are so proud of Dinna for her achievement in passing the NCLEX-RN exam,” said NMC Nursing Department chair Rosa Aldan. “The Nursing Team and I express our congratulations to her and are excited to see her join our local nursing workforce as the registered nurse she aspired to be.”

NMC president Dr, Galvin Deleon Guerrero said, “I extend my congratulations to Dinna on her successful passage of the NCLEX-RN. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for her in the nursing industry.”

Mallari, a 2024 nursing graduate, developed a passion for nursing at a young age, as the support of nurses and healthcare professionals always surrounded her. Growing up, she realized the importance of providing help when needed and how small gestures can make meaningful differences in people’s lives.

She said, “Nursing, in particular, allows me to be directly involved in patient care, providing patients with the best care possible and giving back to the community.”

Mallari’s passage of the NCLEX-RN was nurtured through a strong support system and self-discipline, along with the support of NMC’s instructors and resources such as the Kaplan test preparation materials.

With Kaplan, she was able to utilize its question bank and watch lecture videos to improve on content she wasn’t familiar with. “I went over questions every morning and remediated each question in the afternoon, which I learned was a good study habit of mine,” she said.

In a message to other NMC students planning to take the NCLEX, Mallari advised, “In the nursing program, there will be tough times but there will be rewarding times as well.” She highlighted the importance of studying at your own pace and making time for breaks between study sessions.

“Lastly, never doubt yourself. Work hard toward your goal, and never give up,” she said.

Currently, Mallari is looking into applying at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. (PR)

Northern Marianas College nursing graduate Patricia Atalig has joined the long list of NMC students who have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN. Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to be able to practice nursing. The exam tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities of nursing graduates to certify that they can apply entry-level nursing practices correctly.

“It’s great to see more and more NMC nursing graduates pass the challenging NCLEX-RN,” said NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “I congratulate Patricia on this accomplishment.”

NMC Nursing Department chair Rosa Aldan likewise congratulated Atalig on her achievements.

“Patricia has a bright future in the nursing field and we expect to see great things from her as her educational and professional journey continues,” Aldan said.

Atalig acknowledged the demand for healthcare professionals in the CNMI and saw her nursing degree as an opportunity to give back to her community. She also emphasized the important role that her family, friends, and instructors have played in her successful passage of the NCLEX.

“My instructors have taught and guided me through nursing school and gave me all that I needed to pass,” the 2023 NMC graduate said. “My family and friends supported me throughout nursing school and after while studying for the NCLEX, reminding me to take breaks and never giving up on me.”

Additionally, Atalig noted that the Kaplan sessions provided throughout NMC’s nursing program were helpful. They expanded her test-taking strategies and covered the core subject knowledge necessary to take the NCLEX.

In advice to other NMC students who plan on taking the NCLEX, Atalig highlights the value of self-care. “Self-care is very important when studying for the NCLEX. It is okay to take breaks and rest days to take care of your mental and physical health.”

For more information about NMC’s nursing program, email Rosa T. Aldan at rosa.aldan@marianas.edu or call (670) 237-6744. (PR)

Patricia Atalig

Katrina Valencia, a 2023 Northern Marianas College nursing graduate, recently passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN.

Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to be able to practice nursing in the United States and its territories. The exam tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities of nursing graduates in order to certify that they are capable of applying entry-level nursing practices correctly.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to Katrina for successfully passing the NCLEX-RN,” NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero said. “This accomplishment is a testament to their commitment to excellence and the high standards upheld by NMC’s nursing program.

NMC Nursing Department chair Rosa Aldan likewise congratulated Valencia on her achievement.

“We are immensely proud of Katrina’s achievement and are confident that she will continue to excel in their career as a registered nurse,” Aldan said. “NMC remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals in the CNMI.”

According to Valencia, she pursued nursing due to her passion for helping others.

“Growing up, I have always been there for my friends and my peers mentally and emotionally, giving them the best advice I could give and helping them in any way I can,” Valencia said. “Nearing the end of my high school education, I wanted to do more and learn more, and that was when I realized that I wanted to help people physically as well. Going into nursing provides me many opportunities in learning how to care, educate, and advocate for others.”

Valencia contributes her success with the exam to the College’s nursing faculty, as well as her family and friends.

“Having the support from my family, friends, instructors, and my significant other really helped me push through while studying for the NCLEX,” Valencia said. “All the NMC instructors have positively impacted my learning in their own way to help prepare me for the NCLEX. I am so grateful for all the encouragement and wisdom they have given us.”

Valencia advises students who are preparing for the exam to have a balance between studying and taking care of their well-being.

“Most of the time we students put a lot of pressure on ourselves while studying for the NCLEX, so it is really important to believe and trust in yourself—to take a step back and remind yourself that you know the content and have been doing the work everyday,” Valencia said.

Valencia is now working at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. as a registered nurse in the Medical-Surgical Unit.

For more information about NMC’s nursing program, email Aldan at rosa.aldan@marianas.edu or call (670) 237-6744. (NMC)

Katrina Valencia