“Today, we celebrate the educational success and journey that 42 Practical Nurses and 28 Associate Degree nurses have completed,” said Dr. Michele Gill, dean of health and wellness. “There have been many quizzes, tests, lab experiences, clinicals and study sessions in your pursuit of this academic achievement thus far, and we are so very proud of you all.”
Gill said the observance is the culmination of the students’ initial journey to professional nursing education.
“The annual ceremony is a bridge from nursing’s past to nursing’s future and is a time-honored nursing school tradition. It signifies the official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses.”
The history of the pinning ceremony goes back to the Crusades of the 12th century. The modern ceremony dates back 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 addition to the pinning ceremony, one associate degree nursing (ADN) and one practical nursing student were presented the Essence of Nursing Award for their consistent academic effort, caring actions, positive motivation toward classroom learning and clinical experience, and professional behaviors.
Jamie Petz, West Point, ADN student, and Rebecka Mackling, Emerson, practical nursing student, were honored with the award.
Chris Wood, Lincoln, president of the Student Nurses Association, gave the student address at the ceremony.
Upon completion of the first two semesters of nursing studies at Northeast, 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 associate degree in nursing 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.
Students who were pinned with the Associate Degree Nursing pin include:
Nebraska
Bassett - Hollie Morton, Kelsey Venenga; Battle Creek - Kourtney Jones; Bellwood - Paige Birkel; Carroll - Natalie Sieler; Clarkson - Leslie Urbanek; Columbus - Samantha Finecy; Creighton - Melinda Murphy; Emmet - Erin Judge; Hoskins - Tegan Karella; Lincoln - Chris Wood; Lynch - Madison Rossmeier; Madison - Jordan Freudenburg; Neligh - Christina Scott; Norfolk - Carrie Cooper, Heather Ebel, Ashley Sieler; Oakland - Alicia Isner; O’Neill - Barbie Donohoe; Pierce - Emily Willard; Plainview - Audrey Blum; Saint Edward - Whitney Wurdeman; Silver Creek - Brittany Marker; South Sioux City - Yvonne Basilio; Springview - Sophia Sawle; West Point - Jamie Petz.
Out of State
IA, Mapleton - Lorissa Peterson; NY, Long Beach - Krystal Spanopoulas.
Students who were pinned with the Practical Nursing pin include:
Nebraska
Atkinson - Jason Seger; Bloomfield - Cory Sonnichsen; Bristow - Mary Ruda; Brunswick - Amberly Erickson; Clearwater - Cassidy Steskal; Creighton - Khristina Stevens; Dixon - Michaela Nitz, Laura Showen; Dunning - Michaela Goedeke; Elgin - Laura Ruge; Emerson - Rebecka Mackling; Hartington - Andrew O’Brien; Hershey - Kourtney Hart; Humphrey - Kami Hackerott; Norfolk - MaKenzie Gordan, Melisa Green, Evie Kelly, Brittni Merchant, Heather Salmon, Makel Sazama, Zoe Serres, Allison Soward, LeAnn Sweigard, Grace Wapelhorst, Aly Wilke; North Platte - Jaime Titus; O’Neill - Rita Sterns; Orchard - Kimberly Dickerson; Papillion - Tegan Nissen; Pierce - Brooklyn Houdek; Stanton - Shana Fry, Sara Vollbrecht; Superior - Bailey Williams; Sutherland - Hannah Hansen; Tilden - Ranee Keehn; Waterbury - Mariah Kramer; Wausa - Cindi Bruckner; Wayne - Lexi Allen; West Point - Jade Duhsman; Winside - Dominique Kelberlau; Wisner - Charlotte Wolff.
International
Gabon, Libreville - Yvonne Mezegue.
The majority of the practical nursing students have chosen to continue in the associate degree nursing program at Northeast.
Each nursing school, at every level of education, has its own unique pin which is worn on the nursing uniform. The nursing school pin that graduates of the Northeast Community College’s associate degree nursing and licensed practical nursing program receive is symbolic of nursing’s heritage and tradition.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Yvonne Mezegue is overcome with emotion as she receives her Practical Nurse pin from Northeast Community College instructors Cheryl Musil (left) and Mary Jo Nelson, during the College’s Nurse Pinning Ceremony recently. Mezegue, Libreville, Gabon, Africa, was one of 42 Practical Nursing students and 28 Associate Degree Nursing students to receive their pins during the annual ceremony.