Kristin Benton

Kristin Benton’s love of nursing keeps her busy these days.

Governor Rick Perry recently named ACC’s vocational nursing associate professor to serve as chair of the Texas Board of Nursing.

According to one of Benton’s students, the governor couldn’t have made a better choice.

“Kris is very supportive and shows she really cares about you,” says Lisa Patrick, who is working on her vocational nursing certificate. “She takes special time to stop and listen, and she has made me a more confident student.”

Nurses and patients across the state now will benefit from Benton’s passion for the profession. The Board of Nursing ensures Texas nurses meet requirements to practice and oversees accreditation of nursing schools. Benton’s duties as chair include presiding at board meetings, representing the board in legislative matters, and appointing committees.

“I am deeply honored Governor Perry has given me this opportunity, and I want to thank all of my colleagues at ACC for their support,” says Benton. “I am fully committed to fulfilling the board’s mission of public protection.”

She also remains committed to educating future nurses at ACC. Benton will continue her full-time teaching responsibilities during her term as board chair. That’s a plus for students like Lisa Patrick.

“I am fortunate to have her as my mentor, especially at the beginning of my education, when things can seem overwhelming,” says Patrick. “I look forward to learning everything I can from her.”

Professor Kristin Benton works with vocational nursing student Angelina Vasquez.

Benton began teaching at ACC in 2000 and was appointed to the Board of Nursing in 2008 as a representative of vocational nursing education.

“One of the greatest rewards of serving on the board has been what I can bring back to students,” says Benton. “I enjoy incorporating current nursing issues into the courses I teach.”

Benton will serve as chair for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor.

“We are very proud of Kristin, and her appointment as chair of the Board of Nursing is a wonderful honor for ACC,” says Eileen Klein, executive dean of health sciences. “Kristin’s service on the board is beneficial to our program and students, as she helps keep the college aware of new regulations and innovations in nursing practice and education.”

ACC offers an associate degree nursing (RN) program and a certificate in vocational nursing. In the 2009-10 academic year, ACC graduated 271 associate degree nursing students and 62 vocational nursing students.

ACC’s nursing students consistently excel at national licensure exams. In the most recent testing year, 98 percent of ACC associate degree nursing graduates passed the licensure exam (October 2009-September 2010). Among vocational nursing graduates, the pass rate was 97 percent (January-December 2010).

“It is extremely rewarding to see our students succeed and join the profession,” says Benton. “I am honored to play a role in educating the next generation of nurses.”