Guam Community College celebrates First Licensed Registered Nurse from inaugural ADN-RN cohort
Guam Community College celebrates First Licensed Registered Nurse from inaugural ADN-RN cohort
Guam Community College is proud to announce that a graduate of the inaugural Associate Degree in Nursing - Registered Nurse program, has officially passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
This milestone marks the transition of the program's first alumnus from a graduate to a locally licensed Registered Nurse.
Gerald De Roxas, is a 2017 GCC Licensed Practical Nurse graduate and a 21-year veteran of the Guam Army National Guard, currently serving at the Guam Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.
Following the news of his licensure, he officially submitted his application to upgrade his position to an RN.
"We are proud of Mr. De Roxas for his dedication and for successfully navigating the NCLEX-RN," said Dr. Virginia C. Tudela, Ph.D., GCC President. "His success validates GCC’s commitment to providing a pathway for working nurses to advance their careers, strengthening Guam’s healthcare workforce with highly qualified professionals".
The achievement comes just months after the historic pinning ceremony held on Dec. 11, 2025, where the first cohort of 20 nursing students were recognized for completing the ADN-RN program.
De Roxas noted that his primary motivation for pursuing the RN certification was to provide for his growing family following the birth of his daughter.
"The program design helped me to stay focused on my goal of completion," De Roxas shared. "When I went to the GBNE (Guam Board of Nurse Examiners) office to check on the result and the clerk told me I passed, I immediately got chills. It took me three-years to get to this RN license, and my message to others is: Don’t give up! If there are roadblocks, go around them and continue driving forward.”
The inaugural cohort’s journey was supported by the GCC Foundation Board of Governors, which covered the full cost of tuition and fees, alongside grant funding from the Guam Economic Development Authority to cover NCLEX-RN exam fees.
By empowering local nurses like De Roxas to reach their career goals, GCC continues to foster a healthier future for the entire community, ensuring that compassionate, high-quality care is available to all who call Guam home.