Dallas College will hold a pinning ceremony on Monday, May 12 at 2 p.m. in the Performance Hall at the Eastfield Campus to honor the inaugural graduating class of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-B.S.N.) program.
The program, which launched in the summer of 2024, initially enrolled 25 students who already held nursing associate degrees and many of whom were working in the field. These students have now completed their B.S.N. degrees, positioning them for expanded career opportunities within the nursing profession.
“This pinning ceremony at Dallas College marks a proud milestone in nursing education and a historic moment for our graduates,” said Dr. Chiquesha Davis, dean of the RN-B.S.N. program. “Our graduates are not only prepared for the future of health care, but they are also ready to lead and shape it across communities in Texas and beyond.”
The B.S.N. program offers two pathways for completion: a fast-track option that can be finished in 12 months and a part-time option extending over 24 months, catering to working professionals. The 120-credit-hour curriculum also includes a unique opportunity for students to become certified Spanish medical interpreters.
Nancy Kinuthia, the student speaker for the pinning ceremony and an associate degree graduate from the El Centro Campus, shared her perspective: “Completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing is more than just earning a degree; it signifies a deeper understanding of nursing as a profession. Being equipped with enhanced critical thinking, leadership skills and a broader perspective on health care catapults me to use my degree to venture into areas like education, leadership, public health or nursing policy.” Kinuthia currently works as a medical-surgical nurse at Parkland Health in Dallas.
Dallas College’s new bachelor’s program addresses the growing demand for qualified nurses in the healthcare industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for over 275,000 additional nurses between 2020 and 2030, with nursing employment expected to grow at a rate of 9%, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
In addition to the nursing graduates, Dallas College will celebrate a total of 11,001 graduates during six commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 15-17 at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. This graduating class also includes 161 students earning Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Early Childhood Education. Dallas College awarded its first bachelor's degrees in education in 2023 and introduced a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Software Development this year.
