Front Row Left to Right: Antoinette Ashley, Laura Crofutt, Eneyda Delapaz, Narhiah Thomas, Brandy Rogers, and Brianna Waters Back Row Left to Right: Summer Revels, Lora Lee Holifield, Amanda Clark, Sean Richardson
On August 3rd, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held a pinning ceremony in Tifton where the most recent class of Practical Nursing (PN) students was honored. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations.
“As their instructors, we are incredibly proud of these graduates. They have performed exceptionally well in clinical and didactic settings. We know they will make valuable additions to our nursing community. Knowing the future of our profession is in capable hands of these graduates reinforces the confidence we have in the future of nursing,” commented SRTC Instructors Leigh Ann Reed, RN, Sherri McBrayer, RN, and Jean Lloyd, RN.
Guest speaker Randy Smith, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Tift Regional Medical Center, welcomed the students and charged them with upholding the nursing standards, and encouraged them to continue their education.
The pinning ceremony is a rite 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. At the ceremony, students also recited the Nightingale pledge stating their dedication to upholding the standards of nursing.
The students that received pins were: Antoinette Ashley of Ocilla, Laura Crofutt of Ocilla, Eneyda Delapaz of Tifton, Nariah Thomas of Ashburn, Brandy Rogers of Rebecca, Brianna Waters of Tifton, Summer Revels of Tifton, Lora Lee Holifield of Enigma, Amanda Clark of Tifton, and Sean Richardson of Moultrie.
Three awards were given during the ceremony: the Highest Exit Exam Award went to Brandy Rogers who scored 94.77% out of the nation's LPN students; the TRMC Leadership Award went to Amanda Clark who showed outstanding behavior during class and clinical settings; and the Most Outstanding Senior Award, voted on by the students, was presented to Sean Richardson for always encouraging and assisting his classmates.
The Practical Nursing program is a 5 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 148 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get you quickly into your desired career, and 27 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 Ashburn, Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie, Thomasville, Tifton, and Sylvester 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.