Nineteen Blinn College vocational nursing graduates honored at pinning ceremony

Students complete traditional face-to-face program

December 12, 2025

Nineteen graduates of the Blinn College District Vocational Nursing Program were honored at a pinning ceremony on Thursday on the Brenham Campus.

Graduates of Blinn’s traditional face-to-face program were:

• Natalie Belote – College Station
• Kleber Cruz-Duarte – Navasota
• Omaira Darnell – Hearne
• Carla Garcia – Willis
• Ella Jarvis – Navasota
• LeTreva Kennedy – Bryan
• Aiana Lee – Bryan
• Aeriyanna Lewis – Brenham
• Brenda Martinez – Bryan
• Alyssa McMorris – Cypress
• Maria Medina Aguina – Bryan
• Kenia Mercado Hernandez – Brenham
• Daniela Moreno – Brenham
• Emily Newman – Sugarland
• Mary Grace Peters – George West
• Dylan Stoker – Longview
• Andrea Velazquez – Brenham
• Aerial Walters – Houston
• Ashley Wiktorik – Bellville

“I wasn’t expecting it to be as accelerated as it was, but once I got used to how fast-paced it was, it was just a great experience overall,” said Kennedy. “My teachers were great. They provided support in every step of the journey.”

“Coming in, I had some stress and doubts if I would be able to make it,” Lewis said, “but my instructors gave me the confidence and encouragement to continue.”

Kennedy and Lewis said they both plan to continue their education in the nursing field. Kennedy will also continue working in an assisted care facility.

“I knew I had a passion for nursing at a very young age,” Kennedy said. “I’ve worked in group homes, in state living centers, and that taught me that this is something I want to be.”

Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program consists of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences in area healthcare facilities.

Blinn offers a 10-month traditional track that includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical training and a blended online track. The traditional program has two start dates per year, the fall semester and spring semester, continuing for 10-11 months.

The blended online track, which has one start date per year in the fall semester, allows students to complete their theory coursework online while attending face-to-face clinical and laboratory experiences.

Clinical rotations are held at hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout the area. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination and are considered licensed vocational nurses after passing both exams. Over the last three years, almost 98% of program graduates have found jobs in the profession.

Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and the Nursing Jurisprudence Examination and are considered licensed vocational nurses after passing both exams.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 annual median pay for a vocational nurse was $62,340. Almost 98% of Blinn’s graduates from the program during the past three years have found jobs in the profession.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing.