By Rylee Funk ’29, staff writer
Twenty-four students walked across the stage in spring 2026, becoming the first cohort to graduate from LVC’s developing nursing program.
The nursing program started in fall 2021 with its first-year class of students. Over the past four years the program has grown and developed, and now the first class of the new nursing program has graduated. A big achievement for the program and the students was having a 100-percent NCLEX pass rate.
“One way the program supported us was through NCLEX preparation,” Isaac Sider, a graduate of the 2026 nursing program, said. “We had access to quiz questions that helped prepare to take our NCLEX and ultimately get a 100% pass rate.”
Most nursing programs have been around for years and have had a lot more time to build the foundation and groundwork for success. However, in this new program, building the foundation took patience, resilience, hard work and dedication.
“What makes this graduating class so special is that they took a chance on a new program and helped shape its culture, traditions, and identity,” Dr. Terri Worthey, the nursing program chair, said. “Their feedback, resilience and commitment to excellence have contributed significantly to the program's development. Their achievements, including their success on the NCLEX and their readiness to enter the nursing profession, reflect not only their hard work but also the dedication of our faculty, staff, clinical partners, and the broader LVC community.”
As the program grew and developed, students and faculty faced challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges was navigating the unknown,” Worthey said. “As the first class, there was no previous group to share experiences or advice, so many things felt new for everyone involved. However, those challenges also taught students and the nursing program team resilience, adaptability, and the importance of communication.”