Mt. San Jacinto College is celebrating the graduation of 157 nursing and allied health students who are now prepared to enter the workforce and help meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Southwest Riverside County and the surrounding region.
The graduates represent a broad range of healthcare disciplines, including nursing and allied health programs that prepare students for careers dedicated to patient care, community wellness, and critical healthcare support services. As healthcare systems across California continue to face workforce shortages, MSJC’s newest graduates will play an important role in serving local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.
“Healthcare professionals are essential to the well-being of our communities, and we are proud to send 157 highly trained graduates into a region where the need for skilled healthcare workers continues to grow every day,” said Roger W. Schultz, Superintendent/President of Mt. San Jacinto College. “These graduates are stepping into careers centered on service, compassion, and excellence, and their work will make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and families throughout our region.”
In addition to celebrating this year’s graduates, MSJC also recently received a significant investment to expand its nursing program capacity and help address California’s ongoing nursing shortage. The college was awarded approximately $1.1 million through the Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure (RNI) Grant Round 2 to develop a new hybrid Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)-to-Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) pathway within the college’s ADN program.
The grant will expand educational opportunities for working healthcare professionals seeking to advance their careers while increasing the number of registered nurses entering the workforce.
As a result of the grant, MSJC will be able to admit 12 additional students to the nursing program each year. Beginning in the spring semester, the total number of students admitted into the program will increase to 84.
“This investment strengthens our ability to respond to regional workforce needs while creating additional pathways for students to pursue careers in nursing,” Schultz said. “By expanding access to nursing education, MSJC continues to support the health and economic vitality of the communities we serve.”
MSJC’s healthcare programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training, providing students with real-world experience in medical settings throughout the Inland Empire. Many graduates will remain in the area, contributing directly to the local workforce and helping address critical healthcare staffing needs.
For more information about MSJC’s nursing and allied health programs, visit https://www.msjc.edu/nursingandalliedhealth
