All 20 graduates from the 15th batch of Scheer Memorial Adventist Hospital-Medical Institute College of Nursing (SMAH-MI CON) passed the nursing licensure exam conducted by the Nepal Nursing Council on June 29, 2024. The national passing rate was only 85%.
The SMAH College of Nursing began in 2005, offering a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing with support from sister institutions like Loma Linda University. In 2009, the first batch of graduates took the nursing licensure exam and achieved a 100% passing rate. Due to this success, the Medical Education Commission allocated 20 seats to the SMAH CON, and this success continued in the following years. By 2011, the number of seats allocated to the College of Nursing increased to 30.
However, SMAH-MI CON has faced challenges, including student enrollment, quality of education, leadership, and financial viability. In 2015, enrollment began to decline, the allocated seats were not filled in 2018, and by 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no student intake for two years. Operating the College of Nursing became a burden on hospital operations. The hospital was already operating at a deficit, and the additional financial strain from the College of Nursing exacerbated the situation. There were even exploratory discussions about possibly shutting down the College of Nursing to avoid further impacting the hospital’s finances.
In 2020 and 2021, with zero enrollment, the CON leadership and faculty were challenged to make extra efforts to recruit students and keep the CON viable. They rose to the challenge by conducting career counseling seminars in various review centers and senior high schools. The following year, 13 students enrolled out of 40 available seats. In 2023, the Medical Education Commission of the Government of Nepal reduced the allocated seats to 20. However, this time, SMAH-MI CON achieved full enrollment. Despite these gains, the college staff continued their dedicated efforts, and in 2024, by God’s grace and blessing, all 40 allocated seats were filled.
During a recent inspection by the Medical Education Commission, the inspectors were impressed with the facilities and quality of education provided. They even commented that the school could be allocated up to 60 seats.
The recent nursing licensure exam results testify to SMAH-MI CON’s quality education, consistently provided by dedicated faculty and staff. Since the first SMAH-MI CON graduate took the nursing licensure exam, all graduates have passed, up to the latest batch. To God be the glory.