Austin Community College Nursing Program Deemed Best

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Community College’s (ACC) Nursing Program was selected 2019 Best of the Best among area nursing programs by community voters in an online poll, school officials said Tuesday.

The poll was conducted by the Austin American-Statesman.

“We take immense pride in the quality and value of our nursing program, and this award supports the hard work put in for our students,” Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO, said in a prepared statement. “This recognition shows the excellent level of training at ACC and the value our graduates are providing health care in Central Texas.”

ACC’s Nursing Program provides a pathway into nursing as either a registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). The college also offers a pathway for registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing through the RN-to-BSN Program.

“A nurse is a patient’s voice and is that reassuring presence they need but don’t always get," RN-to-BSN graduate Jade Spear said in a prepared statement. "Being part of this program is allowing me to grow as a nurse and find that support patients need. ACC gave me a deeper look at the community, public nursing, and nursing leadership.”

The need for registered nurses is expected to grow by 13 percent over the next four years, ACC officials noted. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies projects that demand for registered nurses (RNs) could exceed supply by almost 60,000 by 2030, according to current statistics.

“Being named the Best of the Best for a second straight year is an honor,” Patricia Recek, ACC Health Sciences dean, added in a prepared statement. “Our students are staying here and serving our community. We are committed to providing accessible and affordable options to meet critical workforce needs.”

ACC Nursing ranked No. 1 in the Statesman’s community poll, ahead of Texas State University and the University of Texas-Austin. The full report is available online.

ACC is the primary source for registered nurses in Central Texas, officials said, with pass rates for students taking national licensure exams at more than 92 percent in 2018. ACC’s Nursing Program is offered through the college’s Health Sciences Area of Study. For more information, visit the Nursing Program webpage.

About ACC

Austin Community College is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas. ACC is focused on student success and providing affordable, flexible pathways to help students reach their education goals, learn new job skills, or advance their career. The college currently enrolls more than 70,000 students annually.