January 9, 2007
Students Graduate from NETC and Enter the Workforce as LPNs

Students completing the practical nursing program at Northeastern Technical College (NETC) were formally “pinned” and recognized recently at a ceremony in front of nearly 200 family, friends, and college administrators gathered on the campus of NETC Cheraw.

Dr. James C. Williamson, president of NETC, set the family-oriented tone of the event by asking parents, grandparents, children, spouses, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends of the graduates to stand and be recognized for their support.

“You play a huge role in this process,” he said.  “This is a difficult program to get through and it takes a lot of commitment, time and encouragement from you to help these students get to this special night.”

Followed by a round of applause, Williamson commended the graduates for their hard work and expressed his confidence as they prepared to enter their new careers. 

“We’re proud of your hard work and success and we know you will represent us well as practical nurses in the healthcare field,”  he said.

Laura Hatcher, of Ruby, president of the 2006 practical nursing class, also emphasized the role of family during her response speech.

“This is an exciting night for all of us and we are honored to be able to share it with the family and friends that have supported us,” she said.  “Thank you for getting us here.  This has been a life growing experience for all of us and we now feel prepared to use our new skills to help every person and life that we touch.”

It is a tradition for practical nursing graduates to choose a speaker for their pinning ceremony.  This year, the graduates chose Summer Owen, of Chesterfield, who is a 2004 graduate of NETC’s practical nursing program.  She is employed on the medical/surgical floor at Chesterfield General Hospital in Cheraw and also works part time at Medford Nursing Home in Darlington.  She also commended the support of family and friends and encouraged the graduates in their chosen pathways.

“I remember this ceremony as part of the most exciting night of my life, but I also remember being nervous” said Owen in reference to the State Board of Nursing examination graduates will now face to become licensed practical nurses (LPN).  “I know you’re nervous about the exam, but do not worry, the information will come out  and you’ll do just fine.”

Owen also offered words of encouragement about working as a nurse.

“Nursing is a wonderful profession and although it can be trying, the reward of helping people outshines any bad day that I’ve had and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way, ” she said.

Three of the fifteen graduates were recognized with special awards during the ceremony.  The Jean L. Harris Award for Outstanding Clinical Performance was presented to Laura Hatcher, of Ruby, for the positive attitude and caring she expressed toward patients and their families during her clinical rotation.  Tabatha “Hope” Haithcock, of Chesterfield, and Jamie Brown McClanahan, of Pageland, each received the NETC Award for Practical Nursing Academic Excellence for their outstanding performance in the classroom and knowledge of nursing skills.

The highlight of the pinning ceremony came when each graduate received a specially-designed NETC nursing pin, worn as part of the nurse’s uniform, along with a symbolic lamp representing the nursing profession.  The pin and lamp are the traditional symbols of completion of a nursing education program.  After the presentation, the graduates recited the Nightingale Pledge and were formally presented to the audience by Ms. Diane Dyches, dean of arts and sciences at the college. 

The following graduates received pins and lamps during the ceremony (listed in order of the photo line up):

Front Row (left to right):
Anita Crawford (instructor); Donna  Scott, of McColl; Laura Hatcher, of Ruby; Jenny Speight, of Bennettsville;  Tabatha Hope Haithcock, of Chesterfield; Pam King (instructor).

Middle Row (left to right):
Kim Bridges, of Chesterfield; Charlene Gaskins,  of Chesterfield; Jamie McClanahan, of Pageland; Jennifer Weaver, of Chesterfield; Angela Kirby, of Ruby; Genie  Nichols, of Bennettsville.

Back Row (left to right)
Jessica Sims, of Mt. Croghan; Jason “Jake”Spires, of McBee; Ashby Smith, of Cheraw; Carolyn Goodrum, of Cheraw; Shameka Winborne, of Timmonsville.

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