PQUA — Edison State Community College honored its most recent nursing graduates on May 8 with a pinning ceremony held in a gymnasium filled with family and friends at the Piqua Campus.
The pinning ceremony is a time-honored tradition in which the graduate nurse is presented to family and friends as a professional who is about to practice nursing, and the graduate is usually “pinned” by the faculty members who have worked with the students throughout their course of study. Each school has a unique pin, which serves as a symbol of the successful completion of a rigorous curriculum, which prepares its graduates to administer to the sick and injured and promote health through the practice of nursing.
Edison State alumna and adjunct professor Tanita Brock, MSN, RN, delivered a keynote address commending the graduates for the work they put forth to receive their diplomas.
“I have watched this particular group begin the nursing program as scared and unsure students only to become the confident and knowledgeable graduates that are sitting here this evening,” Brock said. “Congratulations and allow me to be one of the first to welcome you to the wonderful brother and sisterhood of nursing.”
Each of the 26 graduates had the opportunity to submit a word of thanks to those who have supported their education, which was read by Susie Wise, Associate Professor of Nursing, as they received their pin from an Edison State nursing faculty member. Many used the opportunity to share individual stories of sacrifice and triumph over adversity, the bonds that were formed between classmates and the sincere appreciation held for the Edison State nursing faculty.
During the ceremony, Wise announced her retirement from Edison State.
“After 27 years of teaching nursing at Edison State Community College, this is my last pinning ceremony. Working at Edison State all this time has been a joy. Edison State is a really good place to work, the faculty and staff really care about the students and put them first. This is one of the reasons I think we have such a great program.
“For you students, you kept me engaged and excited. I have two thoughts to leave you with: do what’s right when no one is watching and look for opportunities to make your patients and families feel safe and cared for.”
Graduates of the program will move on to the next phase of their career, which involves taking the registered nurse licensing exam and seeking employment.
Edison State Community College’s nursing program has maintained full accreditation and approval throughout its history. In 2018, Edison State’s Associate of Nursing Degree program was granted a full five-year approval by the Ohio Board of Nursing. In 2011, the program earned an eight-year accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the highest level a program can receive.
Applications for Edison State’s Registered Nursing program are currently being accepted for Spring 2020 semester. For more information about the program, visit www.edisonohio.edu
May 2019 Nursing Graduates: Sandra Abedi, Columbus ; Stephanie Morgan (Atkins), Troy ; Allexis Cairo, Delphos; Rosemary Cochran, Greenville; Elizabeth Deats, Sidney; Siobhan Durand, Bradford; Brooklyn Flora, Botkins; Joslyn Gebby, Houston; Dayna Hammer, Troy; Joshua Huffman, Williamsburg; Alyssa Jones, Piqua; Carrie Kautz, Greenville; Michelle McNeill, Piqua; Ronald Miliner, Miamisburg; Annie Neal, Tipp City; Cortney Norris, Lewistown; Caitlynn O’Meara, Sidney; Madisyn Pieper, Greenville; Mollie Roe, Sidney; Savannah Ryder, Urbana; Angela Stafford, Troy; Jody Supinger, Troy; Sara Swiney, Piqua; Diane Vazquez, Huber Heights; Kalynn Voisard, Piqua and Taylor Young, St. Marys.
