Program Launches 17 New Nurses into Profession
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College’s Vocational Nursing program recently launched a new group graduates into the nursing profession with a traditional pinning ceremony held inside Hudgins Hall on the AC campus.
A total of 17 new nurses walked the stage to receive their awards from friends, family members or faculty.
Nursing graduate Keshawna Taylor offered the invocation, AC Nursing instructor Mary Hastings conducted the presentation of the graduates, Dr. Charlet Blades led the Nightingale Pledge and graduate Amia Williams closed with the benediction.
Dr. Winifred Ferguson-Adams, Dean of Angelina College’s School of Health Careers, shared the range of emotions and experiences the new nurses can expect – experiences fluctuating between both the beginning and the end of life. In her comments, Ferguson-Adams quoted a popular social media post geared toward new nurses.
“’You might have the book smart’” Adams quoted. “’You might have some critical thinking skills. However, if you don’t have the heart, the compassion, the will to fight each and every one of your patients battles as your own, please choose something else [for a career].’
“What we tell you tonight is that we’re very proud of the fact you’ve reached this point, and we expect you to be that nurse with the compassion and the fight, because above all, you are an Angelina College Nursing graduate. Live up to those expectations. God bless you.”
The list of new nurses and their listed home towns were as follows:
Erika Alvarez (Corrigan), Yesica Angeles Bailon (Nacogdoches), Jazmin Balderas (Nacogdoches), Christian Bosquez (Hudson), Yessica Damian (Livingston), Lexis Evans (Wells), Janet Landeros (Lufkin), A’Neka McKind (Lufkin), Jessica Moreno (San Augustine), Jayme Pittman (Huntington), Margarita Ramos (Lufkin), Lynette Salto (Nacogdoches), Keshawna Taylor (Woodville), JoAnna Thigpen (Burke), Jennifer Whitaker (Nacogdoches), Callie Whitworth (Lufkin) and Amia Williams (Huntsville).
Angelina College Nursing Program faculty include, Dr. Winifred Ferguson-Adams, Dean of School of Health Careers; Dr. Sandra Brannan, Director, Nursing programs; Dr. Charlet Blades, Faculty VN Instructor; Mary Hastings, Faculty VN Instructor; Dr. Susan Adams, Faculty VN Instructor; Patricia Hooks, Faculty VN Instructor; and Anna McReynolds, Faculty SIMS Coordinator.
For further information, contact AC’s School of Health Careers at healthcareers@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
Group photo:
The new graduates of Angelina College’s Vocational Nursing Program pose before Monday’s ceremony inside Hudgins Hall on the AC campus. The program launched 17 new nurses into their new professions. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service Photo)
Lighting Ceremony:
New graduates of the Angelina College Vocational Nursing program participate in the traditional lighting ceremony during Monday’s celebration held inside AC’s Hudgins Hall. The program launched 17 new nurses into their new professions. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service Photo)