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| Rhonda Lindsey, of Cheraw, and Latoya McCall, of Dillon, light nursing lamps during Northeastern Technical College’s Associate Degree in Nursing pinning ceremony. Lindsey and McCall are members of the college’s second class to graduate from the ADN program. Graduates will now prepare to take their licensure exams to become registered nurses (RN). |
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May 21, 2010
NETC Graduates Second Class of ADN Students
A collective sigh blanketed the room as a group of Northeastern Technical College students were seated for graduation from the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program May 14 in Cheraw.
Dr. Ron Bartley, president of Northeastern Technical College began the ceremony by acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices made not only by the nursing students, but also by their family members during the 21 months of the rigorous ADN program.
In its second year, the ADN program graduated a total of 25, an increase from last year’s 19 nursing students. The program prepares students to take the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) in order to become fully licensed registered nurses (RN).
Class president Jeffrey Boan, of Bennettsville, followed Bartley’s remarks and summed up the reason for the collective sigh.
“Nursing school is difficult, tiresome, stressful, hopeless, rewarding, informative and fun. But most importantly, IT’S OVER.”
Boan also thanked the NETC administration and the community for supporting the program.
“The college saw a need for an ADN program in this area and made it happen. Thank you also to the people from the community like our guest speaker, Mrs. Nancy Barnes, who helped get this program started, and to those who work every day to keep it going.”
Barnes, who has a long list of degrees and credentials, serves as associate administrator of patient services for McLeod Medical Center in Dillon and was chosen by the nursing students to speak during the pinning ceremony.
“Today is a reason for celebration,” Barnes said referring to those graduating and for the health care community that is in need for more nurses. “This is recruitment and I’m always looking for nurses.”
She explained that most of the graduates of the ADN program were local men and women who would be looking to stay near home, which is a plus for area health care providers trying to hire and retain employees.
“This is a local class established with lots of experience. They get a lot of clinical time in this program.”
She also explained how the dynamics of health care is changing and that many different opportunities lay ahead for these nursing graduates.
“This career of nursing will take them anywhere,” Barnes said, adding that RNs can be anything from chief financial officers for hospitals to school nurses.
“Attitude is 100 percent of everything you do as you go forward,” she said and continued to encourage the graduates to explore all the avenues that have been opened to them.
Barnes also read from the Dr. Seuss book, Oh the Places You Will Go, and presented it to the class saying that after 21 months of hard studies they were probably ready for something light and easy but to keep in mind that there was meaning behind the children’s story.
Keith Graham of Bennettsville, class vice president and recipient of the Award for Registered Nursing Academic Excellence, said the class of 2010 stuck together even when it got hard, from pop quizzes to clinical sessions. He said the ADN program has a challenging workload that asks a lot of not only the students, but also their families who have to take on extra duties and provide support during the 21 months of the program.
Another award recipient of the class was Karen Sabbagha, of Kershaw, who received a plaque for Outstanding Clinical Performance. This honor goes to a nursing student who excels in bedside manner and excellence in practical nursing.
Associate degree in nursing graduate Kathryn Thrift, of Cheraw, said what made the class of 2010 unique was the dedication from both the students and their families. She said most everyone in the class was a mother, father, husband or wife, in addition to working a job while completing the program.
“We kept thanking the families because the program changes the dynamic of the family,” she said. “This is a challenge for everyone, not just the students.”
Boan explained this during his opening remarks.
“Whether you provided moral support, emotional support, spiritual support, or like my family and simply provided the motivation, we thank you. No one here is arrogant enough to think we could have done this without your help.”
Each graduate receives a pin and symbolic lamp, which is then lit as graduates recite the Nightingale Pledge in memory of the pioneer of modern nursing and writer, Florence Nightingale.
The graduates also presented instructors Nina Russell, Theresa Wright and Nancy White, as well as Barnes, with gifts for their dedication to the class and to the nursing field.
“We are very proud. You’ve come a long way,” said Wright, NETC nursing department head. “Go and do the profession good.”
To view more photographs of the ADN pinning ceremony, visit the college’s website at www.netc.edu and click on “NETC PHOTOS” posted in the bottom of the NETC News box.
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