University of Guam administrators and nursing faculty join representatives from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) during the accreditation site visit for UOG’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, which earned an eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation through spring 2034. Pictured from left are Dr. Annamma “Anna” Varghese, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Nursing Program Director; Dr. Anna Joy Mendez, Associate Professor of Nursing and Nursing Division Chair; Dr. Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, Vice President of Administration and Finance and Chief Business Officer; ACEN representatives Dr. Nell Ard, Chief Accreditation Officer; Dr. Heather Bailey, Commissioner; and Dr. Charlene Ono, Peer Evaluator; Dr. Sharleen Santos-Bamba, Senior Vice President and Provost; and Dr. Yvette Paulino, Dean of the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health. Photo courtesy of the University of Guam.

The University of Guam officially opened its new $9 million Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health Nursing Hub during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August, marking a major investment in healthcare education and Guam’s future nursing workforce. Photo courtesy of the University of Guam.

University of Guam nursing students participate in hands-on clinical training using high-fidelity patient simulators at the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health Nursing Hub, which opened in August. The state-of-the-art facility provides students with advanced simulation technology and realistic hospital environments to develop essential nursing skills, strengthen clinical decision-making, and prepare for patient care in real-world settings. Photo courtesy of the University of Guam.

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The ACEN Board of Commissioners granted continuing accreditation to UOG’s baccalaureate nursing program with no findings and scheduled its next evaluation visit for spring 2034.

The eight-year reaffirmation comes at a pivotal time for nursing education at UOG. In August, the University opened its new $9 million Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health Nursing Hub, expanding access to advanced simulation and clinical learning while positioning the program to nearly double nursing student admission capacity beginning in 2027.

“The reaffirmation of accreditation by ACEN reflects the high quality of our nursing program and the dedication of the faculty and staff who prepare our students for this critical profession,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez. “Guam needs highly skilled nurses, and UOG is committed to providing the innovative education and training that will prepare more of them right here at home.”

Since 2002, UOG has graduated 639 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates and 17 Associate Degree in Nursing graduates, averaging approximately 26 graduates annually. The program has also achieved a first-time NCLEX licensure pass rate of nearly 100% over the past decade.

“This achievement belongs to the faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly to maintain the rigor of our program and to our students who rise to those expectations,” said Yvette C. Paulino, Dean of the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health. “Now, with the Nursing Hub, we have an opportunity to build on that foundation, expand how our students learn, and take nursing education at UOG to the next level.”

“We achieved this reaffirmation through the tremendous support of our community and our strong clinical and community partners,” said Dr. Anna Varghese, Nursing Director and Assistant Professor. “Their continued collaboration, guidance, and commitment to nursing education have been instrumental in strengthening our program and preparing highly skilled nurses to serve Guam and the region.”

Building capacity for Guam’s nursing workforce

The new Nursing Hub expands the clinical learning experiences available to UOG nursing students through 11 hospital simulation beds, high-fidelity patient simulators, specialized skills laboratories, modern medical equipment, and immersive virtual reality technology. Designed to replicate a modern hospital environment, the facility allows students to practice complex clinical scenarios and strengthen their clinical judgment in a controlled setting before caring for live patients.

Students can train in simulated emergency departments, operating rooms, intensive care units, and labor and delivery suites, and practice advanced wound care and geriatric care. These experiences are especially important in areas where local clinical placements may be limited, giving students additional opportunities to prepare for situations they will encounter in professional practice.

Combined with the program’s continuing accreditation through 2034, the expanded training capacity strengthens UOG’s ability to educate more nurses locally while maintaining the standards that have guided the program’s growth.

“We want students from Guam and throughout our region to know that they can receive an excellent nursing education here at home and graduate prepared to make an immediate difference in the communities that need them,” Paulino said.