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NMC grad Lacorte passes NCLEX on first attempt
Joy Lacorte, who graduated from the Northern Marianas College last May, recently passed the challenging National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. (NMC)
“We are very proud of Joy and her accomplishment,” said NMC Nursing Department chair Rosa M. Tudela. “Given her impressive academic performance and her active involvement in the Nursing Club and other community events, I am not surprised that she continues to excel what she puts her mind to.”
The NCLEX-RN tests an individual’s nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level.
The exam is used by nursing boards in all U.S. states and territories to award nursing licenses.
“The NCLEX exam is both difficult and critical to pass,” Tudela said.
“I was able to pass the NCLEX because I believed I could,” said Lacorte. “I studied every day and did as many practice questions as I could. My family was also my greatest support system.”
“NMC’s nursing program also laid the foundation for studying for the NCLEX,” Lacorte added. “The instructors and the program provided the core concepts that were necessary to learn in the different areas of nursing such as medical-surgical, maternal, pediatric and psychiatric nursing. I’m happy that they will now start implementing simulation labs into the curriculum. The review course by AHEC was also helpful.”
Lacorte will be leaving this Friday to attend Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she will pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
“I want to pursue a career in which I could be of service to the people of the CNMI and give back to the community in which I was born and raised,” Lacorte said. “Without a doubt, nursing is a very appropriate career for that goal. My mom is also a nurse who graduated from NMC in 2008. She gave me a lot of insight of what the job entails and encouraged me to pursue nursing as well.”
Lacorte graduated magna cum laude and she also served as the president of the NMC Nursing Club.
Asked what advice she would give other students who are preparing to take the NCLEX, Lacorte said, “Take it one step at a time. Read as much as you can. Pray as much as you can. And just like NMC’s slogan says, ‘BELIEVE.’” (NMC)
