With demand high for nurses around the nation, half of the class of 2006 - 17 graduates - chose to begin their new careers at the Medical Center.

"This is a wonderful class with a lot of variety," said Kamela Deel, director of nursing programs. "Our graduates range from traditional students to people who went back to school to change their careers. Five of our graduates were licensed practical nurses and have advanced to become registered nurses."

Among those changing careers and enhancing his life is Tony Edmonds Jr., who attended the program while working full-time in radiology at Danville Regional. "I feel pretty proud," Edmonds says with relief. "It's like I'm taking a big step in life. The nursing program is vital to DRMC because it's training people right at home and giving people like me a chance to better themselves while helping others. It was my first choice." Edmonds is one of four male graduates.

With their diploma in hand, the new graduates must now prepare to take their RN board exam. History shows graduates of the Danville Regional Medical Center School of Health Professions nursing program can handle the grueling test. In 2005 for example, 91percent of the students passed the exam on their first attempt - better than both the national and statewide averages. In fact, program graduates have scored consistently higher than the national and statewide averages since 2001.

"We prepare our students very well," Deel said.
Those not working at Danville Regional have found jobs throughout the region, including Halifax, Martinsville and Lynchburg.

"Our program helps to fill a void," Deel said. "There is a shortage of healthcare professionals everywhere, particularly in nursing. But the shortage in Danville is not as great as in other parts of the country, in part because we have a school right here at the hospital preparing local professionals for local jobs so they continue to work here and live here."

Danville Regional is one of just six hospitals in Virginia with their own nursing program. To apply, visit http://www.danvilleregional.org/abschnur.html or call (434) 799-4510.

The Danville Regional Medical Center School of Health Professions nursing program is a hospital-based school designed to prepare the individual for eligibility to write the NCLEX-RN Examination and entry-level professional nursing practice. Excellent faculty and staff continually strive to educate nurses who can provide efficient, effective, quality nursing care in a variety of health care settings.

Danville Regional is the leading medical center in the Dan River Region of Virginia and North Carolina, providing open-heart surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Approximately 140 physicians are on the medical staff. The Medical Center employs approximately 1,540 people. Learn more at: www.danvilleregional.com.