Radiologic Technology Professor Warren Hejny outlines imaging technologies during the June NCET tour of the William N. Pennington Health Science Center.
The region’s largest educational and networking organization, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET), held its June 13 "Tech Wednesday" event at the William N. Pennington Health Science Center, an allied health training site of Truckee Meadows Community College.
Business professionals, local tech leaders, and a regional representative for Senator Dean Heller, Lauren Morris, toured the classrooms, simulation laboratories and briefing rooms of the College site. The state-of-the-art Health Science Center opened in fall 2015.
NCET has as its mission to help people explore business and technology. The event at TMCC was planned for close to a year.
“I’m a grad of a community college, so I’m very proud of what TMCC does,” said Dave Archer, NCET President and Chief Executive Officer. “Career and technical programs are a well-kept secret, so we’re happy to get the word out that graduates can learn valuable skills, get a well-paying job sooner and incur minimal student debt.”
TMCC Dean of Science, Julie Ellsworth, PhD, agrees, “We have good scholarship support for our students,” she added. “Also, students can apply and receive additional support from groups like Soroptimist International of Reno and Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement.”
Four Allied Health Programs at HSC
Dr. Ellsworth gave an overview of the classes and programs offered at the Pennington Health Science Center before NCET event participants toured the facility. English, mathematics and biology courses for TMCC students, including allied health majors are offered at the center, she said.
The four programs housed at the site include Veterinary Technician, Radiologic Technology, Public Safety and the Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program.
Veterinary technician students work toward their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees before taking the national licensing examination. The program graduated its first class in 2005, and currently accepts 16 students into each cohort. The retention rate is high for the program—students need to pass with 75% or higher in all coursework to proceed. More than 90% pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
Radiologic Technology is also an AAS degree program, and it is recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Completion of the program allows students to sit for the national certification examination in radiography. Each year, 20 students are accepted into TMCC's program.
The completion rate is high for this program, as well, with the five-year average at more than 85% of students finishing their degree. The five-year average pass rate for the national exam is more than 91%.
Public Safety programs at TMCC include:
- EMT/Paramedic: skills certificates and AAS programs
- Fire Science Technology and Wildland Fire: Certificate of Achievement and AAS
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security: Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
In addition to classes and labs at the Pennington Health Science Center, Fire Science students also engage in hands-on training at the Carson City Fire Department.
An associate of science degree is offered to those who complete the Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program. There are between 80–100 applicants per cycle, with 32 admitted to each cohort. The program is being expanded to accept 40 students, starting with Spring Semester 2019.
In May, 93% of graduating students passed the National Council Licensure Examination on their first attempt. In 2011, 100% of TMCC nursing graduates passed the exam on their first sitting.
Registered nurses are in high demand in Nevada and across the U.S. jobs are waiting for nursing graduates, Dr. Ellsworth said.
More About NCET
Tech Wednesdays are held one to three times a month, for a total of about 38 events each year, Archer said. Other upcoming Tech Wednesdays include tours of the data center Switch, NevadaNanotech Systems, Inc.™, and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
NCET has close to 600 members. Memberships are open to the community, and start at $40.
“Next year will be the twentieth anniversary for NCET,” Archer added.
For more information about the Pennington Health Science Center, please call 775-850-4001.
More information about programs of study in the sciences can be found on the departmental web pages, including: nursing, radiologic technology, public safety, and veterinary technician.