BREAKING THE MOLD: Linus Tayong, Nursing

 

Presque Isle – NMCC nursing student, Linus Tayong, hails from Cameroon, a country on the west coast of Africa. In Linus’s previous occupation with the British government, he traveled extensively including to northern Maine. He decided the County was a “great place to raise a family.” Linus arrived in Fort Kent in 2016 and waited patiently for his family to be approved to reside in the United States.  

Early upon Linus’s arrival to the United States, he began an online ministry degree through Northpoint Bible College. While attending Northpoint, Linus began attending Northern Maine Community College to pursue a nursing degree. Linus chose NMCC due to its reasonable cost of attendance, the simulation lab, and the instructional staff. Due to time constraints and family obligations, Linus put his ministry educational pursuits on hold to focus solely on completing his nursing degree.  

Linus has had “so much fun” in NMCC’s nursing program. He has enjoyed the instructors, his classmates and assisting at local community health clinics. Linus says his time at NMCC has been top-notch. He expressed that throughout his time at NMCC, he has seen that “the College, from the faculty to the administration, has been concerned with the success of their students. My instructors have been flexible and understanding of family and health-related challenges during my time here.”   

Linus is a 2022 NMCC graduate, earning an associate degree in nursing as well as being the recipient of this year’s Falcon Award. His future plans include working in the field while continuing his studies online to earn a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. He hopes to continue pursuing his ministry degree. 

Linus’s advice for males considering a career in nursing: “Make sure you’re in it for the right reasons. If you’re pursuing nursing only for the money rather than the people, you’re in it for the wrong reason.” 

 

 

QUICK FACTS 

NURSING PROGRAM 

Job Duties 

• Record patients’ medical information and vital signs 
• Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects 
• Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records 
• Monitor, record and report symptoms or changes in patients’ conditions 

• Provide health care, first aid, immunizations or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry 

Skills Needed 

• Social Perceptiveness 
• Active Listening 
• Coordination 

• Critical Thinking 
• Service Orientation 

2020 National Average Pay: $36.22/hour; $75,330/year 

Projected Job Openings 2020-2030: 194,500 

Source: O’NET Online (2020) 

NMCC 2020 NURSING Graduate Success Rate: 100% (Employed, Continuing Education, or both)