A long-standing tradition in nursing and at the College, Mitchell Community College celebrated 61 graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing program during its Holbrook-Huskins Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13 on the Statesville Campus. The ceremony was hosted on Mitchell’s Statesville Campus, on the Circle, in front of main building; the audience was filled with enthusiastic and proud parents and loved ones excited to celebrate this new milestone for graduates.
“The nursing pin originated with Florence Nightingale, who presented her nurses with a medal for excellence. The pinning ceremony is important because it serves as a right of passage for nursing graduates as they transition into licensed, registered nurses. The Mitchell nursing pin was designed by the College’s first graduating nursing class in 1984,” shared Linda Wiersch, Dean of Health Sciences and Wellness.
Wiersch explained another tradition of the nursing pinning – the nursing cap – which was developed by Nursing schools to identify their specific program. Today, the cap is optional. All graduates are displaying two burgundy stripes – either on the cap or on their chest and that signifies successful completion of the associate degree nursing program.”
“A very special occasion for our graduates, their families and friends, and the college community,” said Dr. Tim Brewer, President of Mitchell Community College. “To our nursing graduates – congratulations. reaching this moment has extraordinary commitment, resilience, discipline, and compassion. You have spent countless hours in classrooms, in labs, clinical settings and study groups preparing for a profession that asks much of those who choose it. There will be long days, late nights, difficult exams and moments that tested your confidence and perseverance throughout, yet you continued to move forward and tonight we celebrate all that you have accomplished.”
Dr. Brewer then thanked the people who have supported graduates along the way: “Your encouragement, patience, and sacrifice have made this achievement possible.”
Graduate speakers, chosen by their peers, also offered remarks to their classmates and those in attendance.
Graduates then walked across the stage to receive their nursing pin as a personal anecdote to represent the unique paths that nursing students have traversed to complete their degree. about their unique journey was read by nursing staff. Met by applause from the crowd, many of the graduates already had places of employment as well as plans to further their education.
All graduates then took to the stage to recite the Nurses’ Pledge.
Alpha Delta Tau recognizes the academic excellence of students in associate degree nursing highlighting students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and earned grade of B or better in all nursing classes, demonstrated integrity and professionalism and completion of an educational/recruitment project. Students with this recognition were wearing gold and burgundy cords and received a special pin. Over 20 graduates received this award.
Students who completed the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program were recognized: Natalie Nunez-Carbajal, Jamay Avery Sidberry
These students successfully completed their Associate while dually enrolled.
The academic achievement award was presented to the graduate who maintained the highest-grade point average while completing the program: Natalie Nunez-Carbajal.
The academic award for a paramedic to nursing bridge program student was awarded to: Nicole Lynne Nelson
The Humanitarian award was presented to a graduate who has compassion towards patients, and others and can bring out the best in peers: Lauren Alexandria Murphy
Team spirit award for positive attitude and being encouraging to their peers throughout the program: Asia Elaine Bell
The Leadership award is presented to the graduate who has consistently demonstrated the ability to motivate others towards a common goal: Bruce Lee Mashburn and Nicole Lynee Nelson
The Community Spirit Award is presented to the graduate who has consistently volunteered and participated in outreach programs: Anna Lynette Baldwin
The professionalism award was presented to Anna Kopecky
The excel award recognized a graduate who has demonstrated a high level of integrity to excel in nursing: Latrisha Joyner
Outstanding clinical, consistently demonstrated excellent nursing practice in all clicnla settings: Jacon Herman
Dean Wiersch concluded the ceremony: These graduates and their stories embody the journey of a community college student and we celebrate you. The nursing week theme this year is the power of nurses and these graduates are the future of nursing. They have the power to continue to make a difference as a registered nurse.
Wiersch recognized the program staff, college support staff, administration, and community clinical partners and reemphasized that it takes a village to make this happen.
“Graduates, we are proud of you. We celebrate in your success.”