Maria Clarinda “Grace” Catalma, a 2021 Northern Marianas College nursing graduate, has joined the list of students who have passed the challenging National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN. She is the first in her graduating class to pass this exam.
“We are proud of Grace for passing such a rigorous test,” said NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD.
The NCLEX-RN tests an individual's nursing knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. The exam is used by nursing boards in all U.S. states and territories to award nursing licenses.
“This is an amazing accomplishment and we are very proud of Grace,” said NMC Nursing Department Chair Rosa T. Aldan. "We expect to see great things from her as her educational and professional journey continues."
Catalma said that the reason why she went into the nursing field is because the feeling of having people trust someone with their health and life is “rewarding.”
“To have the knowledge to address their concerns and reassure them is the best feeling in the world,” Catalma said. “What drove me to keep studying was the thought of people coming to me with questions that I didn't have the answer to. I wanted to keep learning just in case I'll have a patient, or even a friend or family, coming to me for help. I wanted to be able to answer any questions coming my way.”
According to Catalma, studying for the NCLEX was different from studying for classes in college.
“There are no due dates, no assigned quizzes, and no penalty for not studying,” Catalma said, “There were days where I would do well with studying, but there were also days where I just wanted to relax... It gets lonely, studying and isolating yourself from everyone, but having a supportive system of people by your side, waiting for your success, is really what kept me going.”
Catalma also said that NMC gave her the necessary tools in order to prepare for the NCLEX.
“We also had two weeks of review with our instructor, Mrs. Lee, which helped me a lot,” Catalma said. “Everything I learned from the Nursing program contributed to my passage and I can't thank my instructors enough. I would say NMC definitely did a great job in preparing me for the NCLEX.”
For more information about NMC's nursing program, email NMC Nursing Department Chair Rosa T. Aldan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.marianas.edu.