MENIFEE, CA — Mt. San Jacinto College announced Wednesday that its nursing program is expanding to address California’s critical shortage of nurses.
Following a review by the California Board of Nursing, authorization was granted on May 23 to increase the program’s annual enrollment from 48 to 72 students. Starting in the spring of 2025, the program will welcome two cohorts of 36 students each in the spring and fall semesters, according to MSJC officials.
Situated at the Menifee Valley Campus, the nursing program spans two years, divided into four semesters, and culminates in an Associate of Science in Nursing degree. Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam). According to the college, the pass rate for MSJC students exceeds 90%; a perfect 100% pass rate was achieved in the last two cohorts of students who took the exam.
“We are thrilled to expand our nursing program, as it aligns with our commitment to meeting the critical healthcare needs of our community,” said Joyce Johnson, MSJC vice president of Career Education, Nursing, and Allied Health. “We provide a plethora of support services and resources to ensure our students’ success because their success is our success.”
As a former pediatric nurse of 38 years and with 25 years serving MSJC students, Johnson added, “This program expansion is truly a labor of love for me.”
Admission to the MSJC nursing program is highly competitive. The selection process considers grade point average, life experiences, prior experience and other criteria.
In addition to the expansion, the MSJC nursing program recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Looking ahead, MSJC is pursuing opportunities to enhance its nursing program further, including potential participation in SB 895 (D-Roth), a pilot program aimed at offering bachelor’s degrees in nursing at selected California Community Colleges.
“The prospect of a complete bachelor’s degree program at the Menifee Valley Campus will significantly fortify the local healthcare workforce,” according to an MSJC statement.
SB 895 has passed the state Senate with unanimous bi-partisan support and is now under consideration in the state Assembly.
