SILVER CITY – Western New Mexico University nursing students received their purple coats during a recent campus ceremony attended by family members, faculty and fellow students. The ceremony marked a milestone as they prepare for clinical training and careers in patient care.
The event followed the nursing program’s inclusion in Research.com’s 2027 Best Nursing Degree Programs Ranking in New Mexico, announced in August. The ranking evaluated measures including student satisfaction and program standards.
Student Nurses Association President Angelina Aguilar, a Level 5 nursing student, spoke about the challenges students face, from clinical checkoffs and simulations to examinations. She encouraged her classmates to support one another and not let moments of self-doubt diminish their sense of belonging.
“You may be the person holding a patient’s hand during one of the hardest moments in their life,” Aguilar said. “Being a great nurse is not only about being clinically strong but also being authentically human.”
Keynote speaker Mary Gruska, a registered nurse and recipient of the 2025 New Mexico Nursing Excellence Award in maternity and women’s health nursing, described her path from studying anthropology and chemistry to a career in healthcare and maternal support.
Gruska encouraged students to remain open to unexpected opportunities, continue learning throughout their careers and build relationships with people who share their commitment to caring for others.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News, LLC – John@Bravomic.com
