University’s Graduates Comprise Half of New Nurses, One Third of New Teachers in New York City 

Recognition Comes on National Nurses Day and Teacher Appreciation Day

In recognition of National Nurses Day and National Teacher Day, The City University of New York today congratulated the over 5,000 teaching and nursing students who will be earning a diploma this graduation season. CUNY’s alumni represent nearly half of New York City’s new nurses and one-third of its new public school teachers. As both industries face statewide staffing shortages, the University continues to expand programs in nursing and education to keep it well-positioned to serve New York’s need for talent in these critical disciplines. 

“On National Nurses Day and National Teacher Day, it’s important to show appreciation for people entering these critical fields and I’m proud that so many of our graduates are eager to serve our city as nurses and teachers,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “CUNY is honored to have the responsibility of providing New York with the nurses and teachers that it needs to keep our city educated and healthy.”

Educating Future Educators

Each year, CUNY enrolls more than 15,000 students in education programs across 500 academic programs and 17 colleges, representing one of the University’s largest single academic areas. The University also offers a suite of teacher education programs, which provide additional support for students as they pursue education careers, and prepares high school students to become future educators in collaboration with New York City Public Schools through the FutureReadyNYC initiative. Nearly 3,500 students graduate each year from the University’s teaching programs; these alumni comprise 22% of all New York State graduates of classroom teacher programs and 38% of graduates of color. 

The University’s Class of 2025 education program graduates include Angel Diaz, who will earn a bachelor’s degree from the middle/high school history teacher program at Lehman College’s May 29 commencement. A proud graduate of Bronx public schools, Diaz has served as a paraprofessional since 2019 for the Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science, providing classroom support for the same school he once attended. 

“I want to be in the classroom and reach kids at a larger scale,” he said. “I had gotten left back in the second grade, so I know how important it is to be super-engaged and help my students to pass.” Diaz plans to begin teaching history at Urban Assembly in the fall and hopes to earn a graduate degree in education.

Mary Escobar is completing her bachelor’s program at Hunter College with a double major in childhood education and English this spring. Through CUNY Reading Corps, Escobar began providing literacy tutoring at local elementary schools. Following a successful experience, she now works for CUNY Reading Corps as a site coordinator while completing her student teaching requirements in a first-grade classroom at The Children’s Lab School in Sunnyside, Queens. 

“I love to break down literacy,” said Escobar, who is graduating from Hunter on May 30. “This is tied up in a student’s social and emotional well-being, and impacts what they can access moving forward. With this experience, even before I become a certified teacher, I have been able to impact the learning of so many students.”

Preparing New York’s Nurses

CUNY offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate and advanced certificate nursing programs across 13 colleges, graduating an average of nearly 1,800 nurses annually. These programs are a key player in the expansion of health equity, with 70% of CUNY nursing students coming from underrepresented groups; this representation far exceeds the 42% national average. Its students remain well-prepared to enter the nursing industry: the first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of CUNY graduates averages at 89%, outperforming the city and state averages of 77% and 84% respectively. 

Nursing program graduates among the CUNY Class of 2025 include Vladimir Lamousnery, who will earn his Associate of Applied Science in nursing from Queensborough Community College on May 29. His first exposure to the medical field was through his work as an EMT, where for over six years he found a love for healthcare and wanted to do more. As a nursing student, his clinical rotations took him to learn at four different Queens hospitals including Long Island Jewish Medical Center, where he was born. “Once I got used to the flow, I loved it,” he said. “I want to be able to deliver healthcare to anyone who’s in need. It’s a big responsibility, but an enjoyable process.” 

Jie Obiol, a graduating nurse at Queensborough Community College and mother of two, says her experience has shown her the importance of empathy. “My professors always told us that we must have empathy for each other and our patients. Always try to be a friend because everybody goes through so much.” Obiol, who pursued a degree while raising a child and working full time, credits her professors and classmates for helping her get to graduation. “I’ve met so many good friends. If it weren’t for the professors’ nonstop support and my friends in school, I don’t think I’d be here.” 

To kick off National Nurses Week, which begins today and continues through next Monday, Hunter College will tomorrow host a celebratory faculty lunch for its Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing.

– Story courtesy of CUNY Communications