RichmondCC nursing graduate achieves rare milestone in emergency care

April 10, 2021 - Ashley Edwards of Richmond County is the 56th nurse in the world to join the “High Five” club, which means she has obtained all five certifications of the Board Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). 
A 2012 graduate of Richmond Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program, Edwards set this lofty career goal for herself last year.

"Just about every field of nursing has a board certification that a nurse can take. These certifications validate your knowledge and shows that you’re an expert in that particular field. They also help with professional advancement and keep you up to date in your field," Edwards said. 

The BCEN has five certifications: 

• Certified Emergency Nurse
• Trauma Certified Registered Nurse
• Certified Transport Registered Nurse
• Certified Flight Registered Nurse
• Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse

Edwards, who works in the emergency department at Scotland Memorial Hospital, successfully passed all five certifications in one year. She is also working on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fayetteville State University and will graduate this summer.

"We are so proud of Ashley’s accomplishments and commitment to obtain even more professional skills," said Greg Wood, president and CEO of Scotland Health. "Scotland Health’s tremendous success is built upon each individual team member who takes pride and ownership in delivering the finest and safest care and service. Ashley’s dedication exemplifies that dedication and helps challenge others to continually improve their abilities. That is what we call The Scotland Way!"

Edwards' next goal is to earn a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult (SANE-A) certification, which signifies a registered nurse is knowledgeable regarding forensic nursing. 

"As a nurse in the emergency department, I see numerous sexual assault victims," Edwards said. "I believe obtaining this certification would be a valuable asset for not only my career but also my patients."

Healthcare has always interested Edwards, plus she knew there were many career opportunities in this field.

"I decided to take Allied Health Sciences in high school to gain more insight, and this is when I realized I wanted to be a nurse," she said. "Nursing is so versatile, but I knew no matter what path I chose it would be rewarding."

During her senior year at Richmond Senior High School, she took dual enrollment classes at RichmondCC, including the Nursing Assistant I class. Once she graduated high school, she had her CNA license and was immediately able to start working in the hospital setting. 

Edwards enjoyed her time at RichmondCC as a high school student, so she decided to stay close to home and get her nursing degree from RichmondCC. She knew it was the right decision because she didn't have any additional living expenses, plus she received financial aid and scholarships.

"During my first spring semester at RichmondCC, I had my daughter, and my instructors were very understanding of the situation," Edwards said. "I started the nursing program the following fall semester. Being a single parent in school has its challenges, but luckily, I had a supportive family and instructors."

One of those nursing instructors was Ronnie Tunstall, who saw the potential in Edwards to become a nurse leader. 

“When she sent me a message telling me that she had successfully passed all five Board Certifications of Emergency Nursing, I couldn’t put into words how proud of her I was. She wanted to thank me and the other faculty for making everything possible,” Tunstall said. “Working with her in the ER, she told me I was her mentor and role model, but she doesn't realize I feel the same about her because of the ER nurse she has become.”

Edwards is extremely grateful to RichmondCC for the opportunity it has given her.

"The nursing program and the instructors helped me become the nurse I am today, and for that I will always be thankful,” she said.

To learn more about nursing or other healthcare programs at RichmondCC, call (910) 410-1700 to speak to a counselor.