Northern Marianas College nursing graduates Minju Kim and Ysabella Sacramento have joined the long list of NMC students who have taken and passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or.

Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to be able to practice nursing in the United States and U.S. 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.

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

NMC Nursing Department chair Rosa Aldan likewise congratulated the two on their successful passage of the exam.

“Minju and Ysabella have bright futures in the nursing field and we expect to see great things from them as their educational and professional journeys continue,” Aldan said.

Kim, a 2023 NMC nursing graduate, decided to pursue nursing as it has always been a dream of hers. “I want to become a nurse to help people. It’s as simple as that,” Kim said. “I feel a strong calling to care for others, and nursing is the way I can make a difference in people’s lives when they need it the most.”

Dedicating a significant amount of time preparing and studying for the NCLEX-RN, Kim recalled utilizing textbooks, class notes, NCLEX study materials, and practice tests in order to identify the areas in which she needed to improve.

She noted how she felt well prepared for the exam, “NMC did a good job preparing me for the exam. They provided resources like Kaplan and i-Human that were very helpful.”

Additionally, Kim gained support from her professors and classmates throughout her journey toward passing the exam. “They provided guidance, answered questions, and offered encouragement throughout the process,” she stated. “For that, I am greatly appreciative of what the Nursing Program has done to prepare me for this exam, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the Nursing faculty and staff who went above and beyond in teaching and helping us throughout the program.”

In advice to nursing students looking to take the NCLEX-RN, Kim offers three key tips, which are to start early, avoid comparisons, and stay focused. “Remember, you’ve worked hard to get to this point, and you can succeed in the NCLEX. Stay dedicated, stay confident, and give it your best effort,” Kim said.

Kim began working at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. this week as a registered nurse in the Pediatric Unit.

Graduating from NMC’s nursing program in 2023 alongside Kim, Sacramento’s motivation for pursuing nursing stems from her passion to take care of people and make positive differences in their lives.

“I wouldn’t have passed the NCLEX without the support of my family, partner, relatives, and friends. I owe it to them for their endless support and for always believing in me,” Sacramento said.

According to her, the NMC nursing program had contributed greatly to her passing the NCLEX-RN by helping her enhance her knowledge, skills, and critical thinking skills that are essential to nursing through lectures, clinical rotations, Kaplan resources, and i-Human patient case studies.

To nursing students that are looking to take the NCLEX-RN, Sacramento advises them to believe in their own capabilities and to not be so hard on themselves. “You also need to be in the right mindset while studying, so taking care of yourself physically and mentally should be a priority,” she said. “It is highly important that you study and concentrate, but as simple as taking a break from time to time will allow you to gain more perspective and will definitely help you be more confident in passing the NCLEX.”

Sacramento is currently working at CHCC as a registered nurse in the Labor and Delivery Unit.

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

Northern Marianas College nursing graduates Crystal Delos Reyes, Pearl Lauritzen, and Claudilyn Lacbayo have 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 in order to certify that they are capable of applying entry level nursing practices correctly.

“We are proud of NMC nursing graduates Crystal, Pearl, and Claudilyn for passing such a rigorous exam,” said NMC president Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Ed.D. “I wish the best of luck on their future endeavors as healthcare professionals.”

NMC Nursing Department chair Rosa Aldan likewise congratulated the three on their achievements.

“I’d like to congratulate my former students for their remarkable achievement in passing the NCLEX-RN,” Aldan said. “I have no doubt that they will succeed in their nursing careers.”

Delos Reyes, a nursing graduate from the class of 2022, developed a passion for nursing in knowing that she is able to make a difference in people’s lives through this career.

“Seeing them recover, or even receiving a simple gesture of a smile or thank you from them and their families knowing I was given full trust in their care gives me the drive to persevere as a nurse,” Delos Reyes said.

Delos Reyes expresses her gratitude toward the support of her mom for pushing her to never give up, and to her dad, who has already passed away, for being her source of strength. She also thanks her instructors and classmates for their continued guidance.

Delos Reyes recalls her experience in studying for the NCLEX. “The NMC Nursing Program’s nursing core courses, integrated Kaplan online resources and NCLEX-RN review sessions greatly helped me prepare for the exam,” Delos Reyes said.

Delos Reyes balanced time for studying in the mornings and evenings as her schedule would permit, and states that self-discipline is important.

She encourages current and future nursing students, “Everyone’s study routine is different, therefore creating a study routine that is realistic and works best for you is essential. Remember your ‘Why’s’ and use that as a motivation to keep going. You’re one step closer to becoming a nurse. Have confidence, trust, and believe in yourself. Others did it, you can too!”

Delos Reyes is currently working as a Registered Nurse in the Hemodialysis Unit at CHCC.

Lauritzen, a 2023 nursing graduate, expresses an innate desire to make positive impacts on people’s lives, thus being the reason why she decided to pursue nursing. She explains, “The ability to care for and help others during their most vulnerable moments is what truly drives me in this profession.”

Lauritzen describes how her successful passage of the NCLEX was due to the support of her professors, peers, and family, and the education and training of the NMC Nursing Program preparing her for the exam.

“The curriculum was rigorous, and the faculty members were highly knowledgeable and dedicated. The practical experiences gained through clinical rotations and I-Human Patients By Kaplan were invaluable in developing my clinical judgment and critical thinking abilities”, she said.

Lauritzen recommends NMC students to prioritize a consistent study schedule as a means of establishing a solid foundation in their time at the nursing program, and highlights the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and believing in yourself.

Lauritzen is currently in the process of applying as a Registered Nurse at CHCC.

Lacbayo, a classmate of Lauritzen in NMC’s 2023 nursing graduating class, pursued her nursing degree with a motivation for caring for the well-being of others, as well as her own.

“I wanted to pursue nursing because I genuinely enjoy taking care of people and I also wanted to be able to take care of myself and my family,” Lacbayo said.

Along with the preparation provided by NMC, Lacbayo emphasized the impact that time management, determination, and organization had on her successful passage of the NCLEX as she was simultaneously working full time as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

“Also the fact that I had so much support from my family and my coworkers really helped me while I was studying for the NCLEX,” she added.

Lacbayo underscored the valuable input she got from the Kaplan sessions and the guidance of her instructors. “Dr. Annie and Mr. Sinj’s classes also helped highlight important things that I needed to know on the NCLEX. I am very thankful for all of my instructors at NMC.”

From her personal experience in studying for the NCLEX, Lacbayo advises other nursing students to know what works for them and maintain a kind and positive attitude toward themselves.

“You can’t know everything, so don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to know everything,” Lacbayo said. “Don’t force yourself to study when you aren’t mentally ready. Even passively listening to lectures while you clean or jog is more than enough.”

Lacbayo is currently working as a CNA at CHCC, and is in the process of transitioning from a CNA to a RN.

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