(Whittier, Calif.) – Río Hondo College’s (RHC) Nursing Program has a proven track record for preparing students for academic and professional success, earning it the 13th ranking of RegisteredNursing.org’s 2024 list of California’s top colleges offering an associate degree in nursing.
RegisteredNursing.org based its top 20 rankings of all 131 eligible California nursing schools on pass rates of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). RHC’s Nursing Program scored 97.03 out of a possible 100 points on the exam, which is required to be a licensed nurse and measures clinical safety and competence at the entry level.
“Río Hondo College’s nursing program is an excellent program and well respected in the community. We have faculty who are dedicated to ensuring that our students receive a quality education and the skills and knowledge they need to be prepared as they enter their professional nursing roles,” said Dr. Katherin Brandt, dean of the Health Science and Nursing Division.
RHC nursing students posted 100% pass rates on their first NCLEX exam in back-to-back years. Ninety-four students took the test over the 2023 and 2024 cohorts, with a portion advancing their careers from licensed vocational nurses (LVN) to RNs.
The ranking continues a banner year for the RHC Nursing Program, which was one of four institutions statewide to be awarded the 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges in June. The funds are being used to partner with UbiSim, a virtual reality (VR) platform for nursing simulation, to equip its lab with immersive VR technology to enhance the clinical experience for its students.
“Río Hondo College has shown it is home to one of the top nursing programs in California, but these recognitions would not be possible without the dedication of our students and the excellence of our faculty and staff,” said Board of Trustees President Anais Medina Diaz. “Nursing is one of our many programs here at RHC that equips our students with the skills and confidence they need to go out and make a lasting impact on the well-being of their communities.”
RHC’s Health Science and Nursing Division offers a range of programs approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing. RHC also partners with higher education institutions to provide students with a seamless academic pathway to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Additionally, the RHC Nursing Department is actively working to secure approval from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, a national accreditation that provides a peer-review process intended to enhance nursing education with initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes and upgrade the overall quality of patient care.
Nursing jobs are projected to increase by 6% through 2033 in the Los Angeles and Orange County regions, with median pay for RNs listed at more than $86,000 in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Our alumni from the Health Science and Nursing Division move forward to secure rewarding and lucrative careers at local hospitals and healthcare agencies,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores. “We take immense pride in preparing our students for academic and professional success while simultaneously helping fuel our local economy and meet the demand for qualified, licensed healthcare professionals.”
To learn more about RHC and its Nursing Programs, visit www.riohondo.edu.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
RHC_RNRANKINGS1: Río Hondo College’s Nursing Program was ranked 13th on RegisteredNursing.org’s 2024 list of California’s top schools offering an associate in nursing. The 131 eligible schools were ranked based on NCLEX-RN pass rates, with RHC scoring 97.03 out of a possible 100 points.
RHC_RNRANKINGS2: Río Hondo College nursing students posted 100% pass rates on the NCLEX-RN in back-to-back years, with a total of 94 students taking the exam in the 2023 and 2024 cohorts. It helped the RHC Nursing Program rank 13th on RegisteredNursing.org’s 2024 ranking of California schools offering an associate in nursing.
MEDIA RELEASE
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2024
CONTACT: Dalilah Davaloz
(562) 692-0921
