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CROWNPOINT, NM - On July 6, 2022, Navajo Technical University re-opened the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Dr. Michelle Kahn and a few of her assistants in the Nursing Program made the statement at a traditional blessing on the main campus.
In 2015 there have been struggles with the passing grade from the National Council Licensure Examination, in which students which fell below the threshold, so for NTU that meant no more funding as well as the need to attain and maintain approval by the New Mexico State Board of Nursing. Successful graduates taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) are eligible to become licensed Practical Nurse (PN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).
Therefore, on January 6th, 2022 marked a milestone for NTU as the New Mexico State Board approved the program, also an approval of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) based on preparation was back in May 2022.
A traditional blessing was made by Mr. Kenneth Begay from Fort Defiance, AZ. Mr. Begay is a colleague of Dr. Michelle Kahn, both went to school together. Mr. Begay began the ceremony by a cleansing prayer inside the nursing building. The purification began through the nursing lab, hallways, and all four classrooms. Both songs and prayer commenced at the Gazebo with a luncheon provided by culinary arts students inside the Hospitality Center.
“There is a need for nurses. This program is a really good profession to be in. This ceremony that Dr. Kahn organize is part of our mission at NTU, which is a very important thing. Thank you all that witness the ceremony today.” - Dr. Elmer Guy
“People and some students kept on asking ‘when will the nursing program will be up?’ Right now, I am glad because with this nursing program our enrollment went up.” – Dr. Casmir Agbariji
Congratulations to all future nurses!