Stan State Stockton Center pins nursing grads getting second bachelor’s degree
Students graduated from the Accelerated Second Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at California State University, Stanislaus, with a traditional pinning ceremony.
Each of the two dozen students participating picked a significant person to present the nursing pin before reciting the International Council of Nurses pledge in front of an audience of about 300 Saturday.
The 18-month program started at the Stanislaus State Stockton Center in 2011 to provide an accelerated degree option for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field who have decided to pursue the nursing profession.
Among the graduates was Melissa Pereira, who in 2010 suffered a herniated spinal disc. Over the next 2 1/2 years, she had three spinal surgeries.
“Although this was a very traumatic and painful road, my life changed for the better because of my surgeries,” Pereira reflected. “There were many doctors, nurses and nursing assistants that helped me recover and that changed my life forever. During my hospital stay for my third surgery, I had made a life changing decision: I want to be one of those nurses.”
In November 2013 she left her home in South Lake Tahoe to join the third cohort of the ASBSN program in Stockton. She will return to her hometown, where a nursing job is waiting for her, said Stanislaus State spokesperson Jessica Irish.
The 18-month program is accepting applications through June 1 for its next cohort.
This story was originally published May 3, 2015 at 6:22 PM with the headline "Stan State Stockton Center pins nursing grads getting second bachelor’s degree."