RAYMOND – Hinds Community College has been named as one of the top degree-producing community colleges in the United States in registered nursing and related fields by Community College Week, a national publication covering the nation’s more than 1,000 community colleges and technical schools.
“The Nursing and Allied Health programs have enjoyed the support of our College administrators as we continue to prepare students to be competent, caring health care practitioners,” said Dr. Libby Mahaffey, dean of the Jackson Campus-Nursing Allied Health Center. “The faculty have a wealth and variety of clinical experiences that enhance the rigorous programs of study. These rankings validate our commitment to meet the needs of our community stakeholders which include students, health care agencies, and consumers of health care.”
The ratings involved statistics reported to the U.S. Department of Education for the 2014-15 academic year, the most recent year of nationally available data.
Hinds is ranked 17th in the Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing category. Degrees conferred totaled 246, for a 29 percent increase over 2013-14. Hinds’ Associate Degree Nursing program celebrates its 50th year in existence this year.
The college also ranked highly, 22nd, in the Health Professions & Related Programs category. Those degrees totaled 439, for a 14 percent increase. Hinds was the only Mississippi community college to make either list.
Prospective nursing student Taylor Williams listens as student Jennifer Lariccia talks about the learning lab during a tour at the Hinds Community College Nursing/Allied Health Center Showcase event on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. The event was an open house for prospective students interested in programs offered at the campus. Information booths and learning lab tours were available.
Hinds offers the broadest selection of nursing and allied health programs in the state, including Associate Degree Nursing (RN), Dental Assisting Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Science, Health Information Technology, Health Care Assistant, Medical Assisting Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Surgical Technology, and two short-term programs, Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy.
A full slate of nursing and allied health programs are offered at Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center off Chadwick Drive near Merit Health Central, formerly Central Mississippi Medical Center. The Rankin Campus in Pearl offers Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing and Medical Assisting Technology. The Vicksburg-Warren Campus offers Practical Nursing and Transition to RN.
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