INA, Ill. (July 3, 2018) - Soon-to-be nurses were surrounded by friends, family, and program faculty in celebration as they completed the practical nursing portion of the ADN (Associate Degree Nursing) program at 海角视频. They were honored at a Pinning Ceremony yesterday in the Student Center.
The nursing graduates are, FROM LEFT, FRONT ROW, Cassidy Howell (Benton), Olivia Hagerman (Benton), Lindsey Young (Benton), and Allison Pearce (Ewing); BACK ROW, Peter Patalas (Du Quoin), Crystal Knisley (Thompsonville), Elizabeth Merchel (Mt. Vernon), Bailey Bryson (McLeansboro), Dakota Moore (Woodlawn), Chason Dunford (Benton), Tyler Thompson (Whittington), Makala Thompson (Whittington), Bethany Smith (Mt. Vernon), and Phillip Smith (Christopher). Not pictured is Macie Clark (Pinckneyville). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Graduate Cassidy Howell of Benton made opening remarks, followed by Lindsey Young of Benton. The latter addressed those in attendance with words of gratitude and pride.
芒鈧揕ooking back just a few short years, I would never have guessed I芒鈧劉d be standing here on my way to being a nurse,芒鈧� said Young. 芒鈧揑 was not always one of those people who knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. While I芒鈧劉ve always admired nurses, I just figured out that nursing is my passion not long ago. No matter how we got here, we芒鈧劉re all here for the same reason: to help people.芒鈧�
Young spent much of her speech addressing her fellow classmates. Together, the students completed two semesters of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) coursework, plus a summer course, to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
芒鈧揗ost of all, I want to recognize my classmates, and I want us to recognize the accomplishment we芒鈧劉ve made by getting this far,芒鈧� she said. 芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉ve all struggled and ended up working extremely hard. We芒鈧劉ve all had our ups and downs, but they main thing is that we are here today. I芒鈧劉ve met some of the strongest people I know through this nursing program. That, to me, is a prime example of dedication and perseverance. We are well on our way to accomplishing our main goal of becoming a nurse.芒鈧�
Class speaker Lindsey Young speaks directly to her classmates during the LPN Pinning Ceremony in the Student Center. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Young continued, 芒鈧揑 want you all to recognize, we芒鈧劉re all needed in the nursing profession. Whether you decide to work in the hospital setting, long-term care, informatics, or education, you will always be an important asset to this profession and you芒鈧劉ve made this career choice for a reason. As hard as this last year has been, I look back and smile at so many moments I芒鈧劉ve gotten from being in class with all of you. We have made some incredible memories and I芒鈧劉m sure we will continue to do so.芒鈧�
Addressing the audience in the room, Young had words of thanks and praise for support from friends, family, and RLC faculty.
芒鈧揑 would like to say thank you to all the nursing staff, friends, and family for supporting us, not only today, but on our journey through the nursing program so far,芒鈧� said Young. 芒鈧揟o the nursing staff at 海角视频, I would add a special thank you for all the times you explained things to us, gave us examples, and shared excitement when one of your students finally clicked with understanding something or when we master a skill we芒鈧劉ve been working on.芒鈧�
To the friends and family in the audience, Young had some special words of thanks. She said, 芒鈧揟hank you for the support and understanding you芒鈧劉ve given. You hear how hard nursing school is over and over again, but there芒鈧劉s no way of knowing the difficulty unless you go through it. Our friends and family are right there with us showing support. Support may come as an understanding why we may have seemed like an absent friend lately or, in my case, when we芒鈧劉re having pizza again for dinner because there is an exam tomorrow. You芒鈧劉ve helped us through the nursing school meltdown as we fear we might not pass, prayed for us when we needed it, and you might芒鈧劉ve even studied with us on nursing terms that you don芒鈧劉t even understand.芒鈧�
In closing, Young quoted American poet Maya Angelou. She said, 芒鈧揂s a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. 芒鈧淭hey may forget your name, but they will never forget the way you made them feel.芒鈧劉芒鈧�
The students recite the Nightingale Pledge after the pinning ceremony. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
After Young芒鈧劉s speech, each of the students was pinned by Nursing Instructor Lynn Salesberry. She then led the students in the Nightingale Pledge. A closing was provided by Nursing Director Nancy Buttry who echoed many of Young芒鈧劉s words.
芒鈧揑 want to thank the family and friends for being so supportive of the students as they go through nursing school,芒鈧� said Buttry. 芒鈧揘ursing school is not easy, it is really hard, and I know that, from speaking to some of the students as they went through the program, there are challenges they meet on a daily or weekly basis.芒鈧�
Nursing Program Director Nancy Buttry addresses the audience during the LPN Pinning Ceremony yesterday in the Student Center. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
To the students, she continued, 芒鈧揑 want to say congratulations on completing the first three semesters of nursing school. I hope you can all be outstanding LPNs as you finish your second year of the RN program.芒鈧�
After the ceremony, the students, faculty, friends, and family enjoyed punch and cake at a reception. To learn more about RLC芒鈧劉s Nursing Program, visit , call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251, or email ah_info@rlc.edu.
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