COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Columbia State Community College celebrated 40 nursing graduates at a pinning ceremony this month in the Webster Athletic Center, marking a significant addition to the healthcare workforce serving Maury County and the surrounding region.
The graduates completed four semesters of classroom instruction and 540 hours of clinical rotations to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. Each then recited the Nightingale Pledge as they accepted the solemn responsibility of the profession. Dr. Loretta Bond, Columbia State's nursing program director, called the pinning ceremony a meaningful occasion to acknowledge the hard work that brought these students to this threshold.
The most recent data available show that Columbia State nursing graduates achieve a 98% first-attempt pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination, compared to the national average of 90.8% for associate degree nursing graduates in 2024. That margin reflects both rigorous preparation and student dedication. Upon graduation, these nurses will provide direct patient care in medical, surgical, pediatric and other clinical settings across hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, schools and home health agencies.
The 2023 in-field placement rate within six to twelve months of program completion was 99%, a figure that underscores the strong demand for nursing graduates in the region. The Columbia State nursing program holds full approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Prospective applicants can learn more at www.ColumbiaState.edu/Nursing.