By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

The Northern Marianas College board of regents has given Emmanuel Educational Services Inc. the go-ahead to establish a private nursing college in the CNMI.
During a special board meeting yesterday, a three-year provisional license was granted to Emmanuel College which plans to open in May and begin offering its licensed vocational nursing program to students.
Emmanuel College president and chairwoman of the board, Sedy Demesa, said they appreciate the support of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and the board of regents headed by Rita H. Inos.
“We always believed in the commonwealth’s advantage in bringing American education to foreign students and I am committed to making the nursing program more accessible to local residents interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, which has now become the most in-demand profession in the U.S and across the globe,” Demes said in a statement.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the administration welcomes the news.
“This is very welcome news. This is good news for the economy and for our emerging education industry. We are grateful to the college for expeditiously processing the application for the CNMI’s benefit,” he said.
Emmanuel College said it has already received close to 100 inquiries from interested individuals, 30 of whom are from Saipan.
“The commonwealth offers a great opportunity for foreigners to obtain an American education without a U.S. entry visa,” Demesa said. “The CNMI benefits in return from the business opportunities that will be created by the presence of international students in the islands.”
The licensed vocational nursing program can be completed in less than 12 months after which a graduate can take the state or national licensure examination.
A licensed vocational nurse, or LVN, is also called a licensed practical nurse.
An LVN can work in a hospital, long-term care facility, convalescent home, doctor’s office or surgical center, providing many of the same services performed by registered nurses.
LVNs can specialize in a field of medicine that is most interesting to them.
LVNs are “in very high demand in long-term care facilities or nursing homes, and frequently are paid more for taking these positions. So those who specialize in geriatrics find employment easily.”
Demesa said graduates of Emmanuel College’s LVN program may either obtain employment immediately after passing the NCLEX or pursue their registered nursing degree at NMC — or both.
For more information on the program, call 287-6150 or visit the college site at the Pacific Towers — the former Saipan Koreana Hotel — in Chalan Kanoa, where classes will be held.