More than 200 students from the Student Nursing Association of Cerritos College program gathered to welcome new students last Thursday at the Health Sciences Building.

The SNACC program prepares students for skills in the nursing field. On average, nursing students have waited two to three semesters to actually get into the program according to SNACC adviser Peggy Stuart.

“The welcoming event held every spring and fall semester gives students the opportunity to feel welcomed and also to introduce new students to the faculty and staff,” Michael Purk, president of SNACC, explained, “It also helps students become critical thinkers.”

The turnout of the event was great and to have more than 200 students show up, Purk said that he was pleased that it was important to the students.

He added that those who are in the program will recieve the benefit of being well prepared for the nursing field once graduating.

Stuart agreed. She stated that the nursing program is popular and that local hospitals seek out students that have skills in nursing.

She continued saying that despite the program being mostly female-dominated there are about 10 percent of students who are male.

But Stuart said that the number of male nursing students has continued to climb within the program itself and said that she hopes it will continue.

Students like Francisco Terrazas, nursing major, said that despite the small percentage of males he said that he is glad to know that within his field of study he will have job security.

“That is what great about the nursing program,” he said.

He too added that the reason why he wanted to become a registered nurse is for the benefit of knowing that he is there to help not only individuals, but an entire community as well.

Karina Aguilar nursing major said, “Not only will students have job security, but it’s just knowing someone is there to help out someone else who’s in need.”

“The only thing is that one has to have time to study the required materials within the program.”

Aguilar along with Margot Cisneros, nursing major, and Terrazas all say that despite them being in the program just this semester that all of the faculty and students have been really helpful.

For male students who are interested or are not comfortable being around females, nursing majors Terrazas said that men should not be ashamed because this field will make any student,male or female, love what he and she are doing.