Nursing school graduates honored at WCC ceremony
By From staff reports
Published in News on July 19, 2012 1:46 PM
Wayne Community College recognized the 36 members of its Associate Degree Nursing class of 2012 in a formal pinning ceremony recently.
The annual service, which includes presentation of nursing pins and nurse's creed scrolls by the faculty of the program, lighting of lamps (symbolic of Florence Nightingale going into the battlefield with a lantern) and recitation of the "Florence Nightingale Pledge," denotes the end of the graduates' academic journey and welcomes them into the profession.
The pin used in the ceremony was designed and used by the first graduates of the program in 1973 and uniquely represents WCC's nursing school. It symbolically welcomes the graduates into the nursing profession.
Kayla Wallace, president of the ADN class of 2012, said the ceremony marked the point at which the students "become who we knew we were meant to be."
The graduates can begin work as registered nurses after they take and pass their national licensure exam.
This year's graduates are Cortnie Barnes, Kelly Brock, Brandy Broome, Lisa Cramer, Rebecca Dezern, Karen Earnest, LeeAnne Ferguson, Josie Scheier Gurganus, Venessia Hill, Britney Howell, Tilwanna Khandee James, Kaitlyn Johnson, Daniel Jones, Kristen Jones, Jennifer King, Rebecca Kirby, Ashley Lanier, Denise Martin, Sharon Martin, Carmen McCall, Angelia McGowan, Jessica Meekhof, Virginia Narron, Brandon Nunn, Pamla Faison Oliver, Allison Pendergraft, Alina Scritchfield, Garrison Seaman, Zara Shaw, Yolanda Sutton-Sloan, Amanda Strickland, Takisha Exum Tyndall, Katlin Van Dam, Sarah VonHaugg, Kayla Wallace, and Rhonda Wiggins.
Three outstanding graduates were also announced.
Mrs. Dezern was presented the theoretical excellence award for high academic standards. She "has been a very dedicated student and has dreamed of becoming an RN for a very long time. Despite many outside responsibilities, our honoree has managed to maintain the highest overall GPA in a difficult and demanding curriculum," said Sue Beaman, chair of the Nursing Department.
Ms. Broome earned the clinical excellence award for achieving high standards in the clinical component of the curriculum. She goes "above and beyond to keep up with all of the information needed to deliver quality nursing care" and faculty, clinical site staff, patients and their families all noted her professional attitude, Mrs. Beaman said.
Ms. Scritchfield received the outstanding student award for the individual who has achieved high standards in both the theoretical and clinical components of the program and demonstrates a passion for learning. According to her instructor, she carried out her "responsibilities in both the class and clinical settings in a calm manner no matter how challenging the day might be."
The winners received plaques and scholarships given by the Associate Degree Nursing Class of 1999 and administered by the Foundation of Wayne Community College.
The college's associate degree program is a limited-admission, five-semester program that prepares students to practice as registered nurses. It is one of only 14 associate degree programs in the state accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.