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Nevada's 41st Practical Nursing class graduates
By Nancy Malcom
Nevada Daily Mail
On Saturday, Aug. 27, the 41st Practical Nursing class of the Nevada Regional Technical Center held their graduation ceremony in the Nevada High School Auditorium.
Students are from Nevada and many other communities including Lockwood, El Dorado Springs, Walker, Sheldon, Humansville, Lamar, Stockton, Fort Scott, Kansas and Lowrey City.
Each student has a bevy of family and friends on hand to offer congratulations and applause.
Keeping with tradition, family members participated in the awards ceremonies, including pinning the well-deserved practical nurse pin to the graduates' lapels.
Graduate Sandy Armstrong opened the ceremonies with a nurse's prayer.
Mrs. Smith, director of vocational education, gave the welcome and offered some fun insights with "you might be a nurse if ..." quips.
Program coordinator Linda Douglas introduced students who had achieved special recognition.
Salutatorian honors went to Cliff Hewitt and Hewitt was also recognized by the Missouri League of Nursing as "Outstanding Nursing Student."
Jennifer Null received Valedictorian recognition. Null was also presented the coveted Passport award by Mrs. Hartzfeld, guidance counselor.
Elements required to receive the Passport honor include maintaining a 90 percent or above average in each nursing course, have 95 percent attendance and master 85 percent of core nursing competencies.
The Passport award also includes letters of recommendation.
Dr. Miller, who has a medical practice in Butler, gave a fine speech congratulating the students and the program for excellence in training and dedication.
With the help of graduates' family and friends, nursing pins were given out according to the areas where students had received their clinical training. Mrs. Douglas, Nevada; Mrs. Wilson, Lamar; Ms. Bartley, Butler. Dr. Warren C. Lovinger, R-5 School Board president, presented the diplomas. Ms. Bartley led the graduates in saying the Practical Nursing Pledge and the benediction was lead by graduate Aundrey Hunt.
The Practical Nursing Program began in Nevada in 1963 and has been part of the R-5 school system since 1973 with more than 1000 graduates.
"The program consists of 1,500 hours and began in Sept 2004," Douglas said.
She explained that the course is in two parts, the classroom and the clinicals. "They have 16 courses to pass with a 70 percent or higher to complete the program and are required to attend 95 percent of the time to remain in the program."
The program includes fundamental skills, and special courses in mental health, maternity nursing, nursing care of children and the elderly and IV therapy among others.
"Between September and December, students are in the classroom four days a week, nine hours a day.
"Between January and August, the students are divided into three clinical groups and utilize healthcare facilities in Nevada, Butler and Lamar. Students are in the field two days a week and in the classroom two days a week," Douglas said.
"Students not only spend 36 hours per week in classes, but are expected to study approximately 72 hours each week outside the class," Douglas explained.
During the last phase of their training, the students work in local hospitals and clinics under the supervision of school staff. They assisted in many community activities including, all school screenings in Sheldon and Bronaugh, Nevada's preschool screening, and helped with the fall children's fair with the Bates County Health Department.
Douglas explained that the next step for the graduates will be to pass the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nursing Students within the next 90 days.
"As the program director, I would like to thank all of the community patrons who patiently allowed these individuals to participate in their health care needs and provided the students with the encouragement and support to succeed," Douglas said.