On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held a pinning ceremony honoring the most recent class of Practical Nursing (PN) students representing the SRTC-Bainbridge, SRTC-Thomasville, and SRTC-Tifton cohorts. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations. These graduates are also eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony at SRTC-Bainbridge on July 30, 2024.
Graduates representing the Bainbridge cohort include Makayla Cooper, Jana Price, Shymiracle Reid, Tametriss Smart, Alexandria Varnum, and Jessica Williams.
Graduates representing the Thomasville cohort include Kaylynn Brinkley, Morgan Burdick, Prentazia Crawford-Green, Kelcee Dowdell, Evea Fletcher, Kimbriana Fortner, Rhonda Frye, Kimberly Giles, Briunna Holt, Taylor Howell, Eden Jones, Shinequa Milhouse, Kandace Moore, Tameko Palmore, Carly Parker, Hailey Shaver, Aleala Sharpe, Morgan Smith, Sonya Spencer, Donna Stewart, Kiera Thomas, Jennifer Travis, Ana Vasquez, Khadijah Whitehead, Shameka Williams, and Diana Zamora.
Graduates representing the Tifton cohort include Kayla Brooks, Shonda Dennard, Sydnee ‘Reese’ Harper, Susan Herrera, Di-Andrea LaPierre, Bailey Pitts, Erica Riley, Jennie Roberts, Arnijah Serieux, Mari ‘Carmen’ Vega, and Haley White.
“This class will likely be remembered as one of the most determined classes I have ever encountered,” said SRTC’s Practical Nursing Program Chair Shae Spivey, MSN, RN. “They faced numerous challenges and rose to each occasion with positivity and determination. Their relentless perseverance has been inspiring.”
The pinning ceremony is a rite of passage into the nursing profession, during which each student received a pin and a small lamp. The pin is used to remind students of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed. The lamp portion of the ceremony serves as a tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern-day nursing. In the 1800s Nightingale was known as the ‘lady with the lamp’ tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way.
Several students received additional recognition for their outstanding efforts.
The Southern Regional Technical College Practical Nursing HESI Exit Exam Award is given to the student who has the highest score on the exit exam on each campus. Evea Fletcher of SRTC-Thomasville, Jennie Roberts of SRTC-Tifton, and Alexandria Varnum of SRTC-Bainbridge earned this year’s highest HESI Exit Exam awards.
The Leadership Award recognizes the student from each cohort who presents outstanding leadership qualities not only in the classroom but also in the clinical setting. This year’s Leadership Award was presented to Makayla Cooper of SRTC-Bainbridge, Bailey Pitts of SRTC-Tifton, and Sonya Spencer of SRTC-Thomasville.
The Clinical Excellence Award honors students who have shown exceptional professionalism and technical excellence during their clinical rotations. The Clinical Excellence Award was presented to Shymiracle Reid of SRTC-Bainbridge, Erica Riley of SRTC-Tifton, and Morgan Smith of SRTC-Thomasville.
The Practical Nursing program is a five-semester diploma program designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. For more information about SRTC’s Practical Nursing Program call 888-205-3449.
SRTC offers over 150 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 eleven counties across Southwest Georgia 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 or call (888) 205 - 3449.
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