NNMC News:

• • • • • Nursing & Health Sciences Department initiative is designed to meet growing healthcare demand

ESPAÑOLA — Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), which has been offering healthcare career pathways for more than 50 years, has announced the launch of its new Phlebotomy Certificate Program.

Enrollment is now open for this program, which begins in the spring 2025 semester. Students will receive hands-on training and practical experience in phlebotomy and the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the fast-growing field of healthcare.

As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, the need for entry level certificate programs is greater than ever. The new program aims to address this by offering a comprehensive phlebotomy curriculum that covers essential topics such as blood collection techniques, patient care and safety protocols. Students will also benefit from clinical internships that provide real-world experience in laboratory settings.

Phlebotomy can serve as a steppingstone to other healthcare careers. Studying phlebotomy allows students to develop essential skills, such as venipuncture (collecting blood from veins) and patient interaction. Many nurses, medical technicians or laboratory scientists began their careers as phlebotomists.

“The introduction of the Phlebotomy Certificate Program reflects our commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the healthcare industry,” said Ellen Trabka, Chair of Nursing & Health Sciences at Northern. “We are dedicated to providing high-quality education that meets the current demands of the job market and supports our community’s health needs.”

The program will be delivered through a combination of classroom instruction and practical skills lab work, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Graduates will be well-prepared to sit for national certification exams and pursue employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.

NNMC offers programs for both dual credit and adult students. Adult students can earn a Certificate of Phlebotomy in two semesters. Dual credit students take classes over the course of two years while still in high school and earn a healthcare credential upon graduation.

Enrollment for the Phlebotomy Certificate Program is now open. Interested students can find more information about the program by visiting https://nnmc.edu/academics/nursing-and-health-sciences/phlebotomy.html, by contacting the Admissions Office at 505.747.2111 or by contacting the Nursing & Health Science Department at 505.747.2209.

Students interested in starting the phlebotomy classes in the spring semester should register for HLED 1510, Medical Terminology (crn 14622), a pre- or co-requisite for the program, which is also being offered during the second eight weeks of the Fall semester, starting Oct. 21. It can also be taken concurrently in the first eight weeks of the spring semester.

“Join NNMC in shaping the future of healthcare by training the next generation of phlebotomists. Together, we can make a difference in our community’s health and well-being.” –NNMC

About Northern:

Northern New Mexico College has served the rural communities of Northern New Mexico for over a century. Since opening in 1909 as the Spanish American Normal School in El Rito, NM, the College has provided affordable access to quality academic programs that meet the changing educational, economic and cultural needs of the region.

Northern is an open-admissions institution offering the most affordable bachelor’s programs in the Southwest. Now one of the state’s four regional comprehensive institutions, with its main campus in Española, Northern offers more than 50 bachelor’s, associate, and certificate programs in arts & human sciences, film & digital media, STEM programs, business, education, liberal arts, and nursing. The College has reintroduced technical trades in partnership with two local unions and five public school districts through its new co-located Branch Community College, the first of its kind in the state’s history.  Northern is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and has earned prestigious program specific accreditations for its engineering, nursing, education, and business programs. Learn more at https://nnmc.edu/.