May 19
RCC lauds 36 nursing graduates at pinning ceremony
May 19, 2015 - Thirty-six nursing students of Richmond Community College were officially pinned during the college’s Associates Degree Nursing (ADN) commencement exercises May 14 at the Cole Auditorium.
Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RCC, welcomed everyone to the 38th pinning ceremony honoring the students who worked hard and persevered to complete the rigorous nursing program. He recognized the nursing faculty for their hard work and support in making the nursing program a success. He also recognized the family and friends of the students who supported them while they were in nursing school.
Carol Gibson, chair of RCC’s nursing department, introduced Dr. Michelle Taylor Skipper, a family nurse practitioner, as the guest speaker for the pinning ceremony. Skipper has been a faculty member in the nurse practitioner program at East Carolina University since 2006 and was recently inducted into the East Carolina University College of Nursing Hall of Fame.
“Twenty-four years ago, Dr. Skipper was in the same place in her career as you are tonight, preparing for that first job as a registered nurse,” Gibson said to the ADN Class of 2015.
Skipper provided words of congratulations, encouragement and challenge to the students.
“Tonight is about you and the doors of opportunity you are about to go through,” Skipper said. “There’s a good reason they call these ceremonies commencement exercises because graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.”
Skipper talked about the many doors of opportunity that opened on the path of her career.
“I say that to you not to toot my own horn but to tell you that when those opportunities come to further your education, take those chances,” she said.
She also talked about how nursing has changed from when she first started 24 years ago and how the world of healthcare is changing now.
“Hear me clearly when I say we have to get back to keeping the patient the center of it all,” she said. “You may feel like a naïve new graduate nurse, and you are, but in time that voice will come, that intuition will come that advocates for your patient. Do not undervalue your contribution to patient care. You’re the person at the bedside; you’re the person who may indeed know the most what that patient needs and what their goals are for their healthcare.”
Also speaking during the pinning ceremony was ADN Class of 2015 President Lauren Burris.
“The first day of this program was so overwhelming. The classroom was full of eager minds and students chomping at the bit to start an IV or see something really interesting, which usually translated to something morbid or grotesque,” Burris said. “None of us had any idea how much of a change would occur within us. Nursing school is not simply about the skills or what you learn. Nursing is a complete life change — driven by the desire to care for others.”
Nursing Awards
Thirteen awards were presented to students in the class.
- Ashley Stubbs received the Golden Stethoscope Award, presented by Sandhills Regional Medical Center to the graduate who has demonstrated special interest and skill in the ICU/ER.
- Tonya Covington received the Hamlet Hospital Alumni Award, presented by Hamlet Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association in honor of Dr. William Daniel James to the graduate who has shown proficiency in nursing, high professional standards, scholastic achievement, love for humanity, and participation in student activities.
- Kareem Boles received the Mental Health Nursing Award, presented by Lloyd and Mary Louise King to the graduate who has demonstrated exceptional skills in promoting emotional, psychological, and social wellness to clients across the lifespan.
- Krista Thompson received the Obstetric Award, presented by Carolinas Women’s Center to the graduate who has demonstrated outstanding interest and excellence in obstetrical nursing.
- Dustin McCallum received the Pediatric Award, presented by the Lillian Duer James family in honor of Dr. William Daniel James to the graduate who has maintained and demonstrated a superior ability in nursing of children.
- Abbi Mack received the Phyllis Caviness Gerontology Award, determined by faculty recommendation to the graduate with special knowledge and skills in geriatric nursing.
- Jessica Hunt received the Scotland Memorial Hospital Nursing Service Award, determined by the vote of the Nursing Director and Nurse Managers, this award is presented by the hospital to the graduate who best meets the criteria of scholastic ability, professionalism, interpersonal relationships and caring attitude.
- Brittney Clark received the Scotland Memorial Hospital Administration Award, determined by the vote of the Nursing Director and Nurse Managers and with the approval of the Hospital Administrator, this award is presented by the hospital administration to the graduate who is most dedicated to caring.
- Alberta Hall and Kezzy Tolo received the FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Professional Nursing Awards, determined by faculty recommendation to the graduates who best demonstrate the following characteristics in his or her nursing practice: patient-centered/family-centered approach to care, patient advocate, evidence-based practice, and collaboration with other health care team members and disciplines.
- Stacy Windham received the Laura Susan Sharpe Memorial Nursing Award, presented by the family of Laura Susan Sharpe to the graduate who has shown the most care and compassion to cancer patients.
- Amanda Young received the Susan Sharpe Cancer Support Group Award, presented by the Susan Sharpe Cancer Support Group to the graduate who has shown the most care and compassion to cancer patients.
- Lauren Burris received the Joseph W. Grimsley Humanitarian Award, presented by RCC Nursing Faculty to the graduate who has consistently demonstrated warmth, caring, and love for mankind in all his/her relationships and associations.
- Kezzy Tolo received the Scholastic Achievement Award, presented by the Lillian Duer James family in honor of Lillian Duer James to the graduate who has maintained the highest grade point average in the nursing curriculum.
Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2015
- Kareem Boles of Aberdeen
- Charlice Burnett of Rockingham
- Lauren Burris of Ellerbe
- Amber Chavis of Rockingham
- Michelle Chavis of Maxton
- Britteny Clark of Ellerbe
- Ryan Cole of Rowland
- Laquisha Covington of Rockingham
- Tonya Covington of Laurinburg
- Nerissa Davis of Rockingham
- Rebecca Dold of Laurinburg
- Tanisha Douglas of Red Springs
- Kelli Franklin of Rockingham
- Jeanie Fulp of Ellerbe
- Alberta Hall of Laurinburg
- Jessica Anne Hunt of Laurel Hill
- Kayla Leviner of Rockingham
- Erin Mabe of Rockingham
- Abbi Mack of Laurinburg
- Dustin McCallum of Candor
- Melissa McDonald of Rockingham
- Whitney Moore of Rockingham
- Amber Odom of Gibson
- Jenna O’Neal of Hamlet
- Tarah Radford of Hamlet
- Kristen Sears of Rockingham
- Ashley Stubbs of Hamlet
- Jasmine Sturdivant of Polkton
- Nerissa Tender of Rockingham
- Stephanie Tew of Wagram
- Krista Thompson of Laurinburg
- Kezzy Tolo of Laurinburg
- Alisha Underwood of Rockingham
- Jessica Wilson of Rockingham
- Stacy Windham of Morven
- Amanda Young of Rockingham