NETC Graduates 21 from Associate Degree of Nursing Program

Northeastern Technical College graduated its sixth Associate Degree in Nursing class on Friday, May 9, in Cheraw.

After two-years of intensive studying and clinical rotations, the two men and 19 women graduating from the program, were ready to celebrate the significant milestone on their pathway to a noble career as a registered nurse.

Dr. Forest Mahan, NETC's vice president of academic affairs and student services, began the ceremony by welcoming students and guests, and offering the college's congratulations to the nursing class on their achievement.

"This ADN class is graduating 21 students who have completed a two-year program that many years ago, when nurses got their degrees by working in the hospital year round, was a three-year program," said Dr. Forest Mahan, NETC's vice president of academic affairs and student services.

The nursing program prepares students to take the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) in order to become fully licensed registered nurses (RN).

"Remember, there are many other levels that you can achieve, so don't let this be your last graduation," Dr. Mahan said.

Nursing graduate, Deana Ratliff of Cheraw, spoke to the audience on behalf of the classmates, thanking both family and friends for their support over the past few years.  She then addressed her classmates, taking them for a ride down memory lane, speaking of the ups and downs of their shared experience and drawing laughs from the crowd.

"Very soon, we will transition from nursing graduates to registered nurses and those extra two initials 'R.N.,' will give us new identities," said Ratliff.  "When asked, "what is your profession?' we will finally be able to proudly reply, 'I am a registered nurse!  We will be part of a profession that is considered to be one of the most trusted professions in America."

Tracey Patrick, BSN, RN, was the guest speaker for the pinning ceremony.  She is a 2009 graduate of NETC's first inaugural ADN class who currently works as an emergency room nurse at Chesterfield General Hospital.

"These students have worked so hard to get here," said Patrick.  "I sat in the same place these graduates are sitting in five years ago, and I know it's not a 'walk in the park'.

Patrick shared with the group how fortunate she felt to be one of the graduates from the first ADN class and also how the community is fortunate to have college with a nursing program that graduates nurses who will enter the work force, and for the most part, choose to stay in the area and serve 'family and friends' locally.

"Being a nurse means you will never be bored.  Being a nurse means you will always be frustrated, because there will always be challenges.  You will carry immense responsibility and very little authority.  You will step into peoples lives and you will make a difference," said Patrick.  "You will see people at their worst and at their best, and you will never cease to be amazed by human's capacity for love, courage and endurance.  You will see life begin and you will see life end.  You will cry, and you will laugh.  You will know what it is like to be human, and humane."

"All in all, I don't want you to forget why you became a nurse.  Because, it is all worth it."

Nursing instructor and head of NETC's nursing department, Vicky Craig, presented two graduates with achievement awards. Patrice Dunson of Hamer, received the Award for Outstanding Clinical Performance. Deana Ratliff of Cheraw, received the Award for Registered Nursing Academic Excellence.  Also recognized was Jamie Atkinson of Cheraw, who was recently awarded with the Palmetto Gold Nurse Scholarship.

Class member, Kimberly Charlene White of Wallace, performed the dedication of the nursing pins and explained the significance of the three symbols of nursing: the cap symbolizes service to those in need; the nursing pin symbolizes medical care for the wounded and sick; and the lighted lamp symbolizes the continued search for knowledge and enlightenment.

Each graduate of the nursing program wore a nursing cap and received a pin and symbolic lamp, which was then lit as graduates recited the Nightingale Pledge in memory of pioneer of modern nursing Florence Nightingale.

The ceremony concluded with Dr. Mahan officially presenting the Associate Degree in Nursing Class of 2014 to the audience.

Nursing graduates include: Jamie Atkinson of Cheraw, Sara Charlene Blackman of Cheraw, L'Toya Covington of Dillon, Patrice Dunson of Hamer, Miranda Ellis of McColl, Tanya Garcia of Wallace, Donna George of Sellers, Melanie Grant of Jefferson, Ashley Holliday of Chesterfield, Heather Jacobs of Cheraw, Travis Martin of Bennettsville, Lee Maxwell of Cheraw, Christie Steen Moore of Ruby, Courtney Odom of McColl, Nancy Purvis of Patrick, Deana Ratliff of Cheraw, Tonya Robinson of Bennettsville, Kristy Sellers of Chesterfield, Rhonda Watts of Chesterfield, Kimberly Charlene White of Wallace, and Jessica Wilson of Hamer.

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