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Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held an outdoor pinning ceremony honoring seven graduates of the Practical Nursing (PN) students from SRTC – Blakely. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations.

The students receiving pins were Kimberly Akins of Blakely, Chankithdia Alexander of Blakely, Karenza Baker of Colquitt, Shabreka Butler of Bainbridge, Lisa Coachman of Donalsonville, Krystal Grace of Blakely, and Taylor Johnson of Attapulgus. Kimberly Akins was chosen by her instructors to receive the Leadership Award, and the class awarded Taylor Johnson with the Clinical Excellence Award.

“This class started with eight students.  One of the students suffered an aneurysm in March and passed away in June.  Her classmates loved her dearly and were motivated to continue and succeed in her memory.  These students just did something that took great determination and perseverance.  We are very proud of them,” commented SRTC Practical Nursing Instructor Vickie Parker, BSN, RN.

Kimberly Akins of Blakely, Chankithdia Alexander of Blakely, Karenza Baker of Colquitt, Shabreka Butler of Bainbridge, Lisa Coachman of Donalsonville, Krystal Grace of Blakely, and Taylor Johnson of Attapulgus were already facing a challenging last semester because of COVID-19. They were shocked and heartbroken by their classmate’s passing, but as they continued to persevere, they adopted a new mantra, “We are doing this for Geneen!”  As they felt pressure to complete rigorous coursework, manage stressful clinical rotations, and move to virtual learning, the rallying cry, “Do it for Geneen!” kept them going.

Last week, all seven of Geneen’s classmates completed their Practical Nursing coursework, and all of these students have secured full-time jobs in the surrounding counties.  Most of them plan to continue succeeding in her honor by furthering their education and becoming registered nurses.

Instructors Celesta Boyd, Melissa Hawkins, Nancy Mclendon, and Vickie Parker recognize that these new nurses have earned their titles while facing greater challenges than the average nursing school students. “These students just did something that took great determination and perseverance.  We are very proud of them.”

The pinning ceremony is a rite of passage into the nursing profession, during which each student receives 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.

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 about SRTC’s Practical Nursing Program, call 888-205-3449.

SRTC offers over 155 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 Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties 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. 

Fall semester 2020 begins August 18. Don’t wait, enroll today!