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NORFOLK, Neb. - Associate degree - nursing (ADN) and practical nursing students were honored during a special ceremony at Northeast Community College last week that included the presentation of their diplomas.
In addition, the tradition of nursing students receiving their pins from family members or a close friend who has helped them along their journey was part of the ceremony. There were 35 associate degrees in nursing and 41 diplomas in practical nursing awarded on Friday, May 10.
Karen Weidner, director of nursing programs, remembered the words of an American diplomat to recognize the nursing graduates as they begin their journey in the nursing profession.
“Colin Powell said, ‘A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.’ Today that dream comes true for you our nursing graduates,” Weidner said.
The nurse pinning observance is the culmination of the students’ initial journey of professional nursing education. It is a bridge from nursing’s past to nursing’s future and is a time-honored nursing school tradition. It also signifies the official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses.
The history of the pinning ceremony is traced back to the Crusades of the 12th century. The modern ceremony dates to the mid-19th century when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates.
In the student address during the Northeast ceremony, Tom Wilson, Norfolk, used humor to call attention to his nontraditional status. Wilson served as president of the Student Nurses Association as well.
“I have the joy and pleasure of learning alongside students who are closer to my 14-year-old daughter's age than my own,” Wilson said. “In fact, my nontraditional student status becomes most apparent when I realize that I am older than some of the instructors, who have already had 20-year careers in nursing.”
Wilson commended the more “traditional” students for taking on the responsibility of nursing school and desire to help others at their age. “I know what I was doing when I was 21, and it sure as heck wasn’t nursing,” he said, with a smile.
Wilson said they have drunk from the “firehose of knowledge that is nursing school,” but their education has just begun.
“We are the future of nursing,” he said. “I beg you to promote kindness, nurture well-being, and exemplify an environment of support and teamwork on the Med/Surg floor, the nursing home, the hospital, a provider’s office or wherever you choose to work. Let us strive to be the nurses who not only heal wounds but also mend broken spirits. Be the nurse that shows us that behind every diagnosis is a person deserving of dignity, respect, and unwavering support.”
Leah Barrett, Northeast president, presented each of the graduates with their diplomas during the ceremony. Family members and friends distributed nurse pins prior to the distribution of diplomas.
In addition to the pinning ceremony, the first year Essence of Nursing Award was presented to Christine Mosher, Crofton, for consistent academic effort, caring actions, positive motivation toward classroom learning and clinical experience, and professional behaviors. Second year Essence of Nursing Awards went to Andrew Franzluebbers, West Point.
One graduate was named a Nebraska AHEC (Area Health Education Center) Scholar – Liz Schlamann, Dorchester. The Nebraska AHEC Scholars Program is part of a national initiative that prepares health profession students who want to serve in rural or urban underserved areas of Nebraska to become leaders in the changing health care system.
In addition, Tom Wilson, Bailey Lemburg, Clarkson; and Brittany Foster, Madison, were recognized for being tutors, who among other things, provided individualized leaning experiences.
Upon completion of the first two semesters of nursing studies at Northeast Community College, students are eligible to take the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed practical nurses. Students who hold a 3.0 grade point average in their nursing courses are eligible to complete the last two semesters of the Northeast program and take the National Council of Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to practice as licensed registered nurses.
Students who graduate with an ADN are eligible to continue their studies for a bachelor of science degree in nursing. The general education courses for a bachelor of science in nursing can be taken at Northeast Community College. The majority of the practical nursing students have chosen to continue in the associate degree nursing program at Northeast.
The graduates are among over 900 others who were recognized in two additional ceremonies to mark Northeast’s 51st commencement.
Associate Degree – Nursing
Thirty-five graduates, listed in alphabetical order, received their associate degree - nursing diplomas and pins.
Nebraska
Jordyn Albin, Plainview
Jessica Allen, Stanton
Alexandria Brestel, Norfolk
Kezia Connealy, Tobias
Audrey Coufal, Howells
Kelli Dannenbring, O'Neill
Kaylee Dvorak, Pierce
Brittany Foster, Madison
Andrew Franzluebbers, West Point
Lela Frerichs, Stanton
Hannah Gaspers, Norfolk
Kaylee Hinton, Naper
Hailee Horst, Plainview
Aubrey Jeannoutot, Bloomfield
Josie Kahlandt, Hooper
Alissa Kasik, Leigh
Falycia Krugman, O'Neill
Alyx Kurpgeweit, Bartlett
Emma Labenz, Leigh
Angel Lackey, Norfolk
Bailey Lemburg, Clarkson
Lindsey McGuire, Norfolk
Erika McKenzie, Norfolk
Brooklyn Nolting, Bancroft
Megan Olson, Norfolk
MacKenzie Peters, Norfolk
Hannah Ross, Clarkson
Reilly Schlomer, Norfolk
Jody Tinker, Norfolk
Jeremiah Ward, Norfolk
Thomas Wilson, Norfolk
Brynn Wortmann, Hartington
Out of State
Stefanie Baldo, Elizabeth, Colo.
Morgan Beeson, Avon, S.D.
Nayely Martinez, Oakland, Iowa
Practical Nursing Diploma
Forty-one graduates, listed in alphabetical order, received their practical nursing diplomas and pins.
Nebraska
Hudson Barger, Bloomfield
Shelby Behnk, Greeley
Alexis Bliven, Holdrege
Makayla Bruce, Fordyce
Jan Karl Marie Casinillo, Wayne
Jaclyn Cooper, Crofton
Jessica Crouch, Columbus
Veyra Escudero Rivera, Shelby
Madison Hampton, Page
Karley Heimes, Wynot
Lauren Hinrichs, Norfolk
Nicole Jackson, Norfolk
Gretchen Kozisek, David City
Jada Kreikemeier, West Point
Vada Kruse, Norfolk
Brooklyn Kumm, Plainview
Sarah LeSuer, Shelby
Holly Lewon, Randolph
Alexa Martinez, Columbus
Nikole Mewhirter, Albion
Halanys Milian Auld, Columbus
Hailey Miller, Norfolk
Kylie Milligan, Wayne
Marisol Montes, Columbus
Crystal Morris, Columbus
Christine Mosher, Crofton
Kali Nedrow, Geneva
Emily Nemec, Norfolk
Kassandra Nolan, Columbus
Allison O'Connor, Norfolk
Juliana Pelan, Columbus
Elizabeth Schlamann, Dorchester
McKenna Shonka, Pierce
Sydney Stelling, Milford
Elyssa Tuttle, Norfolk
Kiran Walker, Norfolk
Megan Wesemann, Wisner
International
Lester Kazako, Blantyre, Malawi
Evangeline Merrick, Blantyre, Malawi
Donnel Ray Pedrosa, Sindangan, Philippines
Anderson Roberts, Arima, Trinidad and Tobago
Samantha Rousseau, Blantyre, Malawi
The ceremony was broadcast live by members of the Northeast Community College Media Arts – Broadcasting, and Media Arts – Audio Recording Technology programs.
