Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals hired 20 graduates from the Cuesta College Nursing Program to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a news release from Dignity Health Central Coast, the two-year nursing program had to adapt to online learning at the start of the pandemic.
In early April, Cuesta College nursing students resumed clinical rotations at local Dignity Health hospitals, where students worked alongside nurses for training.
New hire at French Hospital Medical Center's Telemetry Unit and Cuesta College alumna Kelly Maguire said she feels as though she is making a difference in the lives of others.
"There were some mixed emotions about entering the nursing field at the beginning of a pandemic, but I quickly realized that this was what we had been training for," said Maguire.
Critical care unit nurse at Marian Regional Medical Center, Jessica Carros, who is also a Cuesta College graduate, said she feels grateful to be a part of the Dignity Health team.
"Becoming a critical care unit nurse at such an extraordinary time in health care came with feeling equally overwhelmed and honored," said Carros.
A spokesperson for Dignity Health Central Coast said local hospitals hire recent graduates from Cuesta College's nursing program every year.
Arroyo Grande Community Hospital hired six new graduates; French Hospital Medical Center hired six others and Marian Regional Medical Center hired eight Cuesta nursing students, according to the spokesperson.
