Tech Center's LPN program graduates 45th class

Friday, August 14, 2009
submitted photo Nevada Regional Technical Center's 45th Practical Nursing class, back row, left to right, Sam Tumm, Lori Wyrick, Valedictorian Will Roll, Brandy Sewell, Jordan Lyon, Kristina Jones, Sarah Peak, Salutatorian Aaron Wainscott, Amber Sayles, Ryan Janes, John Candler, Tina Trotter, Star McGinnis and Salutatorian Amanda Mitchem; front row, Tara McQueen, Tiffany Adams, Debbie Taylor, Norma Thomason, Crechelle Swickhammer, Rachelle Claypool, Trisha Camberos, Tara Edwards, Heather Fennewald, Kaitlynn Mathews, and Eloisa Moore.

The 45th class of the Nevada Technical Center's Licensed Practical Nursing program graduated in July, and graduates have moved on to the next step in becoming LPNs -- passing the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nursing, which they must pass within 90 days of their July 23 graduation.

The program boasts a long history, and a total of more than 1,000 graduates since its inception in 1963, and Practical Nursing Coordinator Joanna Perkins is a graduate of the program's fourth class.

This year's graduates started out in August 2008, with 25 of the 30 students who started at that time completing the 1,500-hour program and graduating in July. Students sometimes drop out of the program due to attendance issues, academic issues, or health problems.

Students are required to attend 95 percent of the time to remain in the program. Throughout the year, students tackle 16 courses, all of which they must pass with a 70 percent or higher score to complete the program. Courses range from fundamental skills classes to specialty course in mental health, maternity nursing, nursing care of children and the elder, and more. Students must pass the IV therapy final examination with an 80 percent or higher score as well.

After they finish their fundamental classroom work, students receive nursing caps. It's a tradition many schools have abandoned over time, but still practiced in Nevada because "Nevada R-5 feels the significance of the cap is a worthy tradition," said Perkins.

Between September and December, students are in the classroom four days per week, nine hours per day. then, between January and July, students are divided into three clinical groups and go to healthcare facilities in nevada, Butler and Lamar. Students are in the field two days a week and in the classroom two days a week.

All students are required to join and participate in the Student Nurse Association and the Missouri State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses. The students attended the Missouri State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses' convention at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks in June and attended a nursing educational seminar sponsored by the Missouri League of Nurses in May.

As part of their course work, students assisted in the following community activities:

* Assisted school nurses at Sheldon, Schell City and Bronaugh with all school screenings

* Assisted the nevada R-5 School District with preschool screening.

* Participated in a Girl Empowerment Walk through Nevada Middle School

* Participated in a Code Yellow Drill through Nevada Regional Medical Center.

There are three instructors, Johnna Boch, RN BSN; Beth Neth, RN, and Perkins.

"As the program coordinator, I would like to thank all 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," Perkins said.

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