News Article

Inaugural class of Accelerated Nursing Program

Published on August 23, 2024

This is a photograph of the graduates from the Accelerated Nursing Program. They include Stacey Edwards, Nellie Hudson, Laura Miranda, Alexis Preston, Sherrie Shevchuck, and Alicia Sturgill.


NORTH EAST, Md: Cecil College recently celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of its Accelerated Nursing Program inaugural class. This event, held on August 16 in the Technology Center at the North East Campus, marked the culmination of a rigorous 12-month curriculum designed to expedite the journey to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) for individuals with previous academic qualifications.

“Our nursing graduates continue to distinguish our program with their accomplishments as clinicians and educators and through contributions to nursing research. We are honored to educate and train future nurses for our community,” said Cecil College’s Dean of Health, Human and Business Sciences, Dr. Nancy Norman-Marzella.

The Accelerated Nursing Program is tailored for individuals with bachelor’s or associate degrees in another field or who have accrued substantial academic credits. It offers a fast-track route to earning an Associate of Science in Nursing. This program integrates online theory components—delivered through synchronous and asynchronous formats—and practical experience through in-person labs and clinicals.

The students honored during the Pinning Ceremony include:

Name Hometown
Stacey Edwards North East, Md.
Nellie Hudson Elkton, Md.
Laura Miranda Elkton, Md.
Alexis Preston Elkton, Md.
Sherrie Shevchuck Elkton, Md.
Alicia Sturgill Elkton, Md.

The Accelerated Nursing Program prepares these graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN exam, which meets Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania licensure requirements. Their previous education/bachelor’s degree fulfilled most of the 34 credits prerequisite general education required for the nursing program.

The Cecil College nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON).

The Accelerated Nursing Program is a timely response to the projected nursing shortage in the United States. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reports there is an anticipated shortfall of over 78,000 full-time RNs by 2025. Cecil College’s initiative to accelerate the training of new nurses is a strategic move to mitigate this issue and support the region’s needs for nursing. Source: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/workforce-projections

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, contact Amanda Horn at ahorn@nullcecil.edu, or contact the Admissions office by emailing admissions@nullcecil.edu, or calling 410-287-1006, or live chat on the home page of www.cecil.edu.