The Shadow
BY JOSH HAGY
Local News Editor
CLIFTON FORGE – Thirty-six practical nurses received their caps or chevrons Thursday night, marking their completion of the first year of Dabney S. Lancaster Community’s College’s two-year nursing program.
The ceremony was held in the Convocation Center on DSLCC’s Clifton Forge campus.
“This is an academically challenging curriculum, as I’m sure you know, but it’s challenging for the right reasons,” said Gary Keener, vice president of Continuing Education and Workforce Services and dean of Occupational/Technical Allied Health Programs as he welcomed and congratulated the Practical Nursing Class of 2012.
Sam Ballou, a registered nurse who holds a bachelor of science degree in both nursing and education, offered four principles in his keynote address to help the future nurses deal with the rigorous field that they are working to join.
“Life is not about you,” said Ballou, before recalling the story of the Good Samaritan who risked death and injury to help someone in need.
He encouraged the students to remember that “The world does not owe you for living,” and to work hard both at their job and in continuing their education.
Ballou also told the students it was their responsibility to see that everyone received equal care and drove home the point by using the example of California’s nurse to patient ratio laws, something he said the number of nurses makes impractical.
He explained how such ratios did nothing to increase the number of available nurses and could force officials to decide who is worthy of receiving care.
“These principles are important any time, but they are especially important in these tough economic times,” Ballou added. “Fascism is always just one economic crisis away.
You have to make sure that every patient receives equal access to medical care.”
Finally, Ballou reminded the future nurses that there would be students following in their footsteps and they should be willing to lend them a helping hand.
“Look at the students coming behind you. You have to actively engage them and teach them,” he said.
“You are very unique people,” Ballou added, “and I am very proud of you.”
Classes at DSLCC start Monday and the Practical Nurse Class of 2012 will continue working toward earning the right to wear the DSLCC Nursing Pin and the title of registered nurse.
Debbie Williams gave the invocation and the benediction during Thursday’s ceremony.
Ann May introduced the speaker, special music was provided by Amanda Michelle Ortiz, Lynn McAllister led the class in the Nightingale Pledge and the capping was handled by members of the nursing faculty.
Faculty members include Program Head Ann May, Lynn McAllister, Karen Persinger and Debborah Williams.
Adjunct nursing faculty members include Amy Clarke, Beverly Ellis-Smith, Laura Meadows and Lesley Stewart.
The Health Curriculum Advisory Board includes Michelle Browning, Leslie Downer, Melissa Edwards, Sandy Kemper, Ambra Nida, Vanessa Peters, Cathy Trudgeon and Gail Wein-sheimer.
Members of the Practical Nurse Class of 2012 who completed the requirements for ther practical nursing certificate include:
Evelyn Abouakil, Taylor Barger, Heather Bennett, Kristen Bennett, Christina Bevins, Jessica Bostic, Amber Botkin, Mary Bryant, Monica Bullock, Kendra Burns, Frances Carrillo-Kuenzer, Harlie Curry, Laura Good, Carolina Hartley, Mark Hepler, Nancylee Kershaw, Kelli Miller, Kathryn Myers, Heather Newmarker, Jennifer Ogle, Patrick Olson, Katherine Otstot, Jennifer Pate, Ian Perna, Adron Nicole Phillips, Shayla Powell, Phillip Redman, Michael Reynolds, Guy Richards, Joyce Schoolcraft-Williams II, McRae Van Noy, Michelle Vaughn, Diane Ware, Jerilyn Weikle, Linda Wesley, Shannon Whalen.
