Victor Valley College is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary of developing thousands of highly skilled nurses who have gone on to serve the High Desert and beyond.
The milestone “Nursing Alumni Reunion,” dubbed the “Celebration of Community, Connection, and Legacy,” will be hosted by the Victor Valley College Foundation.
The special event is scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the Educational and Events Center on the lower campus of Victor Valley College in Victorville.
The reunion will bring together alumni, current students, faculty and community supporters for a dinner, guest speakers, and special recognitions, honoring those who have shaped the program’s legacy.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to honor the program’s legacy, recognize the impact of its many graduates, and support the next generation of nurses entering the field.
First graduating class
In June 1977, 28 Victor Valley College nursing students were part of the college’s first graduating class, with nearly half of them finding medical work in the High Desert, the Daily Press reported.
At that time, seven Victor Valley College nursing graduates began working at St. Mary Desert Valley Hospital in Apple Valley (now Providence St. Mary Medical Center). Six others began work at Victor Valley Hospital in Victorville (now Victor Valley Global Medical Center).
Over the past five decades, thousands of Victor Valley College nursing graduates have gone on to provide critical care in emergency departments, intensive care units, and surgical suites in the High Desert and throughout San Bernardino County.
Rooted in excellence and compassion
“Community colleges like Victor Valley College play a critical role in training a diverse workforce, offering affordable, high-quality education that leads directly to meaningful employment,” college officials said. “The program’s outcomes speak for themselves.”
Nursing students consistently achieve a 92 to 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and 100% of graduates secure employment within six months of completing the program, according to Victor Valley College officials.
“Our program has always been rooted in both excellence and compassion,” Nursing Program Director Karmen Padfield said. “For 50 years, we’ve been committed to preparing nurses who not only meet clinical standards but also truly care for their patients and communities.”
Students gain real-world experience through clinical training at regional healthcare facilities, including Desert Valley Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center and Victor Valley Global Medical Center. Additional opportunities at Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Loma Linda University Medical Center expose students to advanced, specialized care environments.
Many graduates advance into leadership roles as charge nurses, educators, and healthcare administrators, demonstrating the strong foundation the program provides.
For more information about the Victor Valley College Nursing Alumni Reunion, or to purchase event tickets, visit vvcfoundation.com/nar26 or contact the Victor Valley College Foundation at 760-245-4271 Ext. 2741.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley College nursing program celebrates 50 years
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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