In a ceremony held Friday, Dec. 13, at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute honored its first graduating class of practical nurses with an official pinning and traditional lamp lighting ceremony. Eight students made up the class of 2019 and now face state board testing to receive their licensure as practical nurses. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
CCC&TI began the process of adding the Practical Nursing program in 2018 in response to local demand for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and interest from students in pursuing the 1-year diploma program. The first classes began in Spring 2019.
The ceremony included a welcome by CCC&TI Nursing Program Director, Dr. April Cline, comments from CCC&TI Dean of Health Sciences Barbara Harris and a keynote address by April Traxler, who has more than 30 years experience as a nurse. Traxler encouraged graduates to learn from every experience and to strive for balance between their professional life and family life.
To close the ceremony, students lit a ceremonial lamp, symbolic of the lamp carried by Florence Nightingale during her service to the British soldiers who fought in the Crimean War. Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing. Graduates also recited “The Florence Nightingale Pledge” in which they vow to uphold the standards of their profession and provide the best possible care for patients. A special reception was held for graduates and their families following the ceremony.
For more information on Nursing Programs at CCC&TI, visit www.cccti.edu or contact Health Sciences Admissions Coordinator Amy Huffman at 828-726-2710 or ahuffman@cccti.edu.
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Photo Cutline: CCC&TI celebrated its first class of Practical Nursing Graduates in a special ceremony held on Friday, Dec. 13 at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. Pictured front row, left to right, are graduates Vera Cantrell of Collettsville, Taylor Hensley of Hudson, Mackenzie Hartley of Hudson and Nikki Serrano of Hudson. Back row, left to right, are Aynia Howell of Lenoir, Marsha Benge of Lenoir, Jacob Icard of
