As medical communities throughout the United States grapple with a nationwide shortage of nurses to fill important positions in hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers and clinics, residents of the Miss-Lou area can consider themselves fortunate to have nurses in training and continuing to graduate from the Alcorn State University School of Nursing in Natchez.

The school has a decades-long and interesting history, tracing its roots to classes held in the old First Baptist Church building on Main Street.

Dean Mary Hill now is making her own place in the school’s history as record numbers of nurse candidates are enrolling for the B.S., graduate and associate degree programs.

Earlier this week, Dr. Hill described the beginning of another year at the modern campus adjacent to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez, saying the rise in enrollment is not only good for the university program but good for the area. We certainly agree.

For many years, the nursing program has graduated nurses who have passed state board examinations at very high rates. With their integration into local medical institutions, the Alcorn-educated nurses have proven their expertise and high qualifications and have risen into some of the highest positions in the nursing field.

We applaud the long-standing good work at the university and expect to see continued growth in the program. With the rising need for more nurses &045; especially highly trained ones &045; the Alcorn program fills a niche not only in the Natchez area but also in the Southeast. We expect the new students in the program to continue the tradition of excellence established for them by former ASU students.