Students from the Annie Ruth Kelley Associate Degree Nursing program at Stanly Community College held their annual pinning ceremony at the Providence Church of God in Locust on May 8.
Caitlin Pyrek, ADN graduate, ADN club president and Student Government Association president, introduced John Enamait, president of SCC, who gave a welcome and thanked all attending the ceremony. Enamait noted the students’ hard work, perseverance and dedication that brought them to this point in their educational journey. He thanked the faculty and staff for their work and commitment.
Chassity Washburn, MSN, RN, CNE, and the director of nursing at SCC, introduced the nursing class of 2018.
Angela Hamby, MSN, RN, and instructor, was the honorary speaker for the evening.
“A sincere thank you to the families and friends that made sacrifices to help our students succeed,” Hamby said.
Family and friends watched as 32 graduates received their nurse’s pin from instructors Blair Whitley, MSN, RN and Chassity Washburn. The pinning ceremony symbolizes completion of the nursing program at SCC. The graduates will become licensed nurses after passing the National Council Licensure Examination later in the spring.
Instructor Wanda Huneycutt, RN, MSN, CNE, read the Nightingale pledge as the class lit candles and recited the pledge in memory of Florence Nightingale. This pledge is a statement of principles indicating the nurses’ commitment to professionalism and patient care.
Holly Shaver, ADN graduate, gave the closing prayer.
The nursing program is named in honor of Annie Ruth Kelley, the first chairperson of the college Board of Trustees and the first woman to chair a community college board in North Carolina. Kelley served for 28 years as a college trustee.