On Thursday, April 29, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held a drive-through pinning ceremony during which thirty-one Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students received their nursing pins. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations. This class of nursing students will officially be Registered Nurses (RN) pending the passage of their board exams. These prospective nurses represent the nursing programs of the Thomasville campus of Southern Regional Technical College.
The students receiving pins were: Amanda Barnes of Pelham, Bailey Barnes of Sale City, Shanika Davis of Thomasville, Michael Edwards of Quitman, Ciara Garrett of Valdosta, Delia Graham of Valdosta, Melanie Green of Camilla, Stephanie Griffin of Thomasville, Lisa Grigg of Albany, Tara Hancock of Hartsfield, Chelsis Lawton of Moultrie, Kristin Lee of Cairo, Zachery Maxheimer of Thomasville, Benita Morris of Monticello, Leah Nieves of Moultrie, Josh Pollock of Pelham, Josh Quinet of Thomasville, Saran Ryan of Thomasville, Erica Scott of Thomasville, Trevor Sellers of Thomasville, Jody Stephens of Valdosta, Frances Studdard of Boston, Sabrina Teems of Cairo, Brittany Thomas of Valdosta, Lezli Thompson of Cairo, Colton Walker of Lakeland, Samantha Wilson of Norman Park, Nicole Woodall of Pavo, Deanie Hill of Naylor, Dalynn Dell of Moultrie, and Serenity Proffitt of Quitman.
During the pinning ceremony, which symbolizes the rite of passage into the nursing profession, students received a pin and a small lamp from the safety of their vehicle. The pin reminds students of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed. The lamp serves as a tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern-day nursing. In the nineteenth century, Nightingale was known as the "Lady with the Lamp," tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way.
“It has been an honor to teach this class. The students have worked very hard to overcome so many obstacles in their path. They started their nursing career when COVID 19 hit the United States. They had to complete two semesters with virtual simulation for their clinical requirements. They were allowed to attend clinical at Archbold the fall semester of 2020. Archbold started giving the COVID injections January 2021 and asked this group to assist. They gave over 7,000 injections to the community to help eradicate this virus. They were very appreciative for the opportunity to assist and get back in the clinical setting for hands on experience. Any of our local hospitals will not be sorry to hire these students due to their outstanding work ethics,” said Terry Harper MSN, RN, Associate of Science Nursing Faculty.
At the ceremony, faculty members recognized several students for exceptional achievement during their time in the nursing program. Those awards and their recipients are as follows: Deanie Hill earned the Highest Exit Exam Award. The Clinical Excellence Award was given to Melanie Green. The Archbold Leadership Award was given to Amanda Barnes. Finally, the Nightingale Award recognized the accomplishments of Bailey Barnes.
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is designed to prepare students as entry-level practitioners to provide safe, effective nursing care and promote healthy transitions for diverse clients in a variety of settings. This program develops critical thinking, integrates accumulated knowledge from nursing, the sciences and humanities, and emphasizes the values of caring, accountability, responsibility and professional ethics. The SRTC ASN program has been granted approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
SRTC offers over 130 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get you quickly into your desired career, and 28 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties for the convenience of our students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, log on to www.southernregional.edu.
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