SGTC practical nursing graduates recognized at pinning ceremony

Published 4:06 pm Friday, February 26, 2016

AMERICUS — Fifteen South Georgia Technical College (SGTC)  practical nursing graduates participated in a special pinning ceremony held recently in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus.
During the program, graduate Yolanda Salazar recited a prayer and graduate Deadre Nolton led the group in the Nurse’s Pledge. Susan White, also a graduate, introduced the guest speaker, David Stinchum of After Hours Care.
Stinchcum, a member of the Americus Rotary Club, said he first had the pleasure of meeting this group of graduates for a Rotary function. The Americus Rotary Club had received a grant for 300 flu shots and the SGTC practical nursing students had helped administer the shots.
“These graduates represented themselves and SGTC well, and I can see it in their eyes that they’re going to be great nurses,” he said. “Don’t forget to look back on your time here fondly, but always be looking forward, setting goals for yourself and figuring out your next steps.”
Stinchcum also reminded the graduates that, as nurses, they will be the “bookend for a successful day. You’ll be the first person a patient talks to when they enter the doctor’s office and the last face they see when they leave.”
SGTC practical nursing instructor Jennifer Childs presented a slide presentation featuring photos of the graduates throughout their time as practical nursing students. Childs, along with practical nursing instructors Debra Smith and June Hagin, then presented the graduates with their pins.
The graduates included Tre’lisha Shant’a Banks of Americus, Kadecha Vontrese Bell of Richland, Kamia Brianna Bynes of Albany, Roxanne Carranza of Americus, Twyna Dennyea Dorsey of Richland, Lutrina Lawanda Gordon of Americus, Heather Sheree Hartsfield of Americus, India Laray Martin of Americus, Valencia Ann Twanetta Molden of Sasser, Deadre Alysia Nolton of Bulter, Kendra Rene Nolton of Butler, Rinal B. Patel of Americus, Yolanda Sue Chapa Salazar of Ellaville, Shelby Tallent Smith of Leslie and Susan Jordan White of Americus.
These students are now eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN state board exams to become official Licensed Practical Nurses. The exam consists of 85 to 205 questions and tests all areas in the nursing profession to assure practical nurses have obtained the knowledge to practice safely in clinical settings.