THREE additional graduates of Northern Marianas College’s nursing program have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, further strengthening the Commonwealth’s healthcare workforce. The newest passers are Melissa Borja, Ninfa Rabago, and Yi Qiu. Each expressed their gratitude for NMC’s nursing program and the faculty who guided them throughout their journey.
Borja shared that her family was her biggest motivation to pursue nursing. “I wanted to be able to care for them at home when medical help was delayed, and through that, I discovered a passion for helping others,” she said. She credited her success on the NCLEX to consistent studying using resources like Bootcamp and Kaplan, and highlighted Mrs. Breanna Lee’s instruction as instrumental in preparing her for the exam. Borja is currently applying as a registered nurse at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation.
Rabago said her motivation began as a personal challenge but deepened during her internship at CHCC Public Health, where mentors inspired her to contribute meaningfully to the community. She emphasized the support of her classmates, faculty and staff, such as Johnny Aldan, Rosa Aldan, Breanna Lee, Jihye Lee, Natasha Quitugua, Rocel Cariaso, and Andrew Mendiola. “Confidence doesn’t mean you won’t feel nervous — it means trusting the knowledge and skills you’ve built and giving yourself the chance to succeed,” Rabago advised other nursing students. She has applied to work as a registered nurse at CHCC.
Qiu, who was inspired by friends and the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic, said NMC’s nursing program provided the solid foundation needed to pass the exam. “The instructors covered the majority of the topics on the exam, which made my review process much easier,” Qiu explained. She especially thanked Dr. Jihye Lee and Ms. Breanna Lee for their guidance. Her advice for future NCLEX takers: “Trust the program, focus on the key topics, and maintain a good work-life balance.”
NMC Nursing Department Chair Rosa Aldan commended the graduates for their perseverance and dedication. “We are incredibly proud of Melissa, Ninfa, and Yi. Their success on the NCLEX is a reflection of their hard work, as well as the commitment of our faculty to prepare students to meet national standards. Most importantly, these new nurses are ready to serve and give back to the NMI community, which is the heart of our program’s mission,” Aldan said.
“We are very proud of Melissa, Ninfa, and Yi for this incredible achievement,” said NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD. “Their success on the NCLEX not only highlights their determination and hard work, but also demonstrates the high quality of instruction and support provided by our Nursing Department. Each new graduate who enters the workforce strengthens healthcare in the Marianas and helps us move closer to meeting the critical needs of our community.”
For more information about NMC’s nursing program, email Nursing Department Chair Rosa Aldan at rosa.aldan@marianas.edu or call (670) 237-6744.
From left, Melissa Borja, Ninfa Rabago and Yi Qiu.
