Great Careers in Nursing Begin Here

from Better Health magazine, Spring, 2004

Nursing is one of America's most-respected professions, and this region is fortunate to have many talented and compassionate nurses. Each year, a new group of Registered Nurses is added to this number as they graduate from Danville Regional School of Nursing.

"We're ready to graduate the largest class we have had in several years," said Kamela Deel, RN, MSN, MEd, Director of the School of Nursing. "All the members of the class of 2003 who accepted positions (at DRMC) are still here. 35 of the 45 members of the class of 2004 have accepted positions at DRMC. And the class we've just enrolled is even larger, with 48 students. People know this career is in demand, offers a good starting salary, and allows them to help their friends and community."

"While we have some students entering directly from high school, we also have some in their 30's and 40's who are ready for a new career. The word about our school is spreading, as we have students now from a 50-mile radius of Danville." 

Deel notes that the School of Nursing is a two-year diploma program preparing Registered Nurse candidates to sit for the RN licensing exam. Historically, the Danville Regional nursing graduate pass rate is above 90%, higher than both the state and national averages. The Class of 2002 had a pass rate of 94% compared to the Virginia rate of 84% and the national rate of 87%. The Class of 2003 was even better with a pass rate of 97% compared to the Virginia rate of 85% and the national rate of 87%.

"Many graduates choose to go on and get their bachelor's degree in nursing, and School of Nursing credits are fully transferable to several colleges and universities, including Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Virginia in their RN - BSN programs".

"Many of our referrals are from friends and family members who've been through our program," Deel said. "I think that speaks well of the quality of our education program and the success that our students have in finding positions."

For more information about the Danville Regional School of Nursing, call (434) 799-4510.