Northern Marianas College nursing graduates Adrian Catagatan, Maile Aldrich, and Suah Sakisat have joined the long list of NMC students who have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN.
Nursing graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to be able to practice nursing in the United States. The exam tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities of nursing graduates in order to certify that they are capable of applying entry-level nursing practices correctly.
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Adrian, Maile, and Suah for successfully passing the NCLEX,” said NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “We are proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing them excel in their careers as healthcare professionals.”
NMC Nursing Department Chair Rosa Aldan likewise congratulated the three on their achievements.
“Congratulations to Adrian, Maile, and Suah as our new registered nurses! All your hard work has paid off, and now you can make a positive impact and change the lives of our community. We are proud of your achievements and excited for the difference you all will make!”
Adrian Catagatan, a 2024 NMC nursing graduate, pursued nursing to help provide quality care to the community.
“I deeply treasure my family and friends, and knowing that they are well and cared for is invaluable to me and brings me comfort. I pursued a nursing degree because I wanted to provide others with the same sense of security as I understand how much they value their loved ones well,” Catagatan said.
Catagatan attributed his passage of the NCLEX to balancing studying and rest, “It’s common for many to think that more hours of studying equates to a higher chance of passing the NCLEX. I have made this mistake many times, and I found myself to burn out easily. But when I started to incorporate breaks in between my study sessions and taking the weekends off from studying, I realized that I was in a better condition to learn.”
Catagatan is currently looking into applying at CHCC.
Maile Aldrich, a fellow 2024 Nursing graduate, looked to nursing as a way to contribute to the greater community.
“I want to provide a bright future for myself and my family while contributing to the health and well-being of others in my community,” Aldrich said.
When pursuing nursing and preparing for the NCLEX, Aldrich talked about how NMC helped her for the NCLEX. “NMC provided me with the resources and materials to be successful, and my instructors were instrumental in setting the foundation for what it means to be a nurse.”
Aldrich is planning to apply at CHCC.
Having graduated this year with a nursing degree, Suah Sakisat, pursued nursing for the range of opportunities it offers.
“Other than the fact that nursing is a very rewarding profession, it is also a very versatile profession as well. Nurses are able to work in many different work environments from hospitals, clinics, schools, or even from your home. This makes it easier for me to adjust to different family situations I may have in the future and allows me to spend more quality time with them,” said Sakisat.
When giving advice to other NMC students planning to take the NCLEX, Sakisat emphasized the importance of test-taking strategies and mentally preparing for the exam.
“Understanding each question type and knowing how to approach and answer these questions helped me be more confident in the answer choices that I was choosing. Also, being mentally prepared on the day of the exam and practicing relaxation techniques to get into a comfortable mindset was very important,” said Sakisat.
“When I first stepped into the exam room, I felt that I could not think straight and could hear my heart pounding in my ears. Taking some deep breaths and following some relaxation techniques helped me get into my zone and focus on taking the test.”
Sakisat is in the process of applying to CHCC.
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 call (670) 237-6744.