NORTH EAST, Md: Cecil College celebrated the third annual graduation of its Accelerated Nursing Program with the Class of 2026. This event, held on August 14 in the newly renovated Milburn Stone Theatre on the North East Campus, marked the culmination of a rigorous 13-month program designed to expedite the journey to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) for individuals with previous academic qualifications.
"Our nursing graduates continue to distinguish our program with their accomplishments as clinicians and educators and through contributions to nursing research. We are honored to educate and train future nurses for our community," said Cecil College's Dean of Health and Human Sciences, Dr. Nancy Norman-Marzella.
The Accelerated Nursing Program is tailored for individuals with bachelor's or associate degrees in another field or who have accrued substantial academic credits. It offers a fast-track route to earning an Associate of Science in Nursing. This program integrates online theory components, delivered through synchronous and asynchronous formats, and practical experience through in-person labs and clinicals.
The students honored during the Pinning Ceremony include:
The Accelerated Nursing Program prepares these graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN exam, which meets Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania licensure requirements. Their previous education fulfilled most of the 34 credits prerequisite general education required for the nursing program.
The Cecil College nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON).
The Accelerated Nursing Program is a timely response to the projected nursing shortage in the United States. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reports there is an anticipated shortfall of more than 13,800 full-time RNs in Maryland by 2030. Cecil College's initiative to accelerate the training of new nurses is a strategic move to mitigate this issue and support the region's needs for nursing. Source: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/workforce-projections
To learn more about the accelerated nursing program, please visit cecil.edu/hc and contact Amanda Horn - ahorn@cecil.edu.
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