On Aug. 5, Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) held a pinning ceremony 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.

“I have watched this group of students bloom into excellent nurses. Each one has a unique gift when caring for their patients. I am so proud of each one. I pray that each one will continue learning and growing as a nurse,” said Catina Jones, RN, MSN, SWGTC PN instructor and program director.

Guest speaker Dr. Annie McElroy challenged and inspired the practical nursing Class of 2014 to remember the 50 years of nursing tradition from SWGTC and to remain part of that legacy as they enter their careers.

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 Miranda Connelly, Shontavia Johnson, Amanda Meeks, Kristy Rich, Shelby Wiley, Brandi Thompson, Jessica Long, Denise Bryant, Candace Jackson, Cecil Outz, and James Williams, IV.

The following awards were given at the ceremony: Outstanding Senior – Shontavia Johnson; Highest Assessment Technologies Institute Test Score Award – Cecil Outz; and Archbold Leadership Award – Shelby Wiley.

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 on SWGTC’s Practical Nursing Program, contact Athalena Benton at (229)225-5090 or abenton@southwestgatech.edu or Jones at (229)227-3119 or cjones@southwestgatech.edu.

SWGTC offers more than 80 certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Many of these programs provide training for some of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields including Nursing, Automotive Technology, Clinical Laboratory Technology, and Emergency Medical Technology. More information may be obtained by calling 229-225-4096 or by logging onto www.southwestgatech.edu.

Fall Semester 2014 begins Tuesday.

“I have watched this group of students bloom into excellent nurses. Each one has a unique gift when caring for their patients. I am so proud of each one. I pray that each one will continue learning and growing as a nurse.”