On Wednesday, July 31st, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held a pinning ceremony honoring the most recent class of Practical Nursing (PN) students from SRTC - Thomasville and SRTC- Tifton. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of these students. They are well prepared to take the NCLEX-PN licensure examination and begin their careers. They have all worked hard to attain their goals and will make a lasting contribution to healthcare in our community,” commented Associate Dean for the School of Health Sciences and Practical Nursing Program Chair, Claudia Grooms, MSN, RN.

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: Thomasville Campus –Helena Aguilar of Ochlocknee, Morgan Alguire of Whigham, Lydia Baldwin of Ochlocknee, Alexus Boles of Cairo, Kelly Cuadell of Atlanta, Kylie Curles of Thomasville, Arielal Davis of Thomasville, Dalynn Dell of Moultrie, Tameah Gaines of Thomasville, Melanie Green of Camilla, Phelica Madison of Moultrie, Kimberly Moore of Albany, Vanessa Nunes of Moultrie, Frances Studdard of Thomasville, Sabrina Teems of Cairo, Adrienne Walker of Thomasville, Donna Wilson of Ochlocknee, and Samantha Wilson of Moultrie. Tifton Campus –Amy Culpepper of Sylvester, Jessica Franklin of Lenox, Sara Green of Lenox, and Alyssa McDaniel of Ashburn.

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. This year’s highest HESI Exit Exam award was presented to Helena Aguilar and Sara Green.

The Leadership Award is given to the student who presents outstanding leadership qualities not only in the classroom but also in the clinical setting and was presented to Morgan Alguire and Amy Culpepper.

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 Jessica Franklin and Sabrina Teems.

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.