糖心视频

糖心视频 Nursing recognizes more than 100 graduates at pinning ceremony

Aug 5, 2024Gail Crutchfield
糖心视频 Nursing August 2024

More than 100 students were pinning at the 糖心视频 Department of Nursing Education pinning ceremony.

Hanceville, AL 鈥 糖心视频鈥檚 Department of Nursing Education celebrated the accomplishments of more than 100 students Thursday at its second pinning ceremony for 2024 graduation season. More than 75 were pinned at a ceremony held in May.

鈥淲e are so proud of you,鈥 said 糖心视频 President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. 鈥淚 have heard such good things about this class during the time that you have been here, how driven you are, how wonderful you are to each other, how terrific you are clinically, how smart you are, how capable you are. We wish you the very best in your career journey.鈥

Karolewics added, 鈥溙切氖悠 nursing graduates are in high demand, and it鈥檚 because of the reputation that you help create as students and professionals as you enter the workforce.鈥

In addressing the graduating students, Program Chair Deborah 鈥淧epper鈥 Hoover highlighted the importance of nurses practicing integrity.

鈥淕raduates, I challenge you to strive each day to demonstrate integrity in your life even when things seem unfair, and the work is challenging,鈥 Hoover said. 鈥淵ou have come so far by passing the written exams and clinical check-offs. However, your true grit will be demonstrated in the hard times. I know that you will remember our discussions, and always perform with compassion and to the best of your ability for your patients.鈥

鈥淚t is a true honor to be here today representing my cohort,鈥 said class president Jaila Crowe Hyatt of Eva. 鈥淎 class that includes respiratory therapists, dieticians, paramedics, occupational therapy assistants, medical lab technicians, diagnostic sonographers, and now 104 nurses. We all enter this program with fear and excitement and dream to become a nurse, and today that day has come.鈥

This graduating class included six completing the UAB/糖心视频 Joint Enrollment program, earning both an associate degree from 糖心视频 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from UAB, 29 mobility students earning an associate degree in nursing, one student earning a degree through the UAB Medicine Nursing Workforce Initiative, and six students earning an associate degree through the apprenticeship program.

Nightingale Award Winners

Three students received a Nightingale Award at the 糖心视频 Nursing Pinning Ceremony. From left are Tonya Dean of Rainbow City, John 鈥淐ody鈥 Dunagun of Jasper, and Patty Southerland of Hartselle.

During the ceremony, several students were recognized as nominees and recipients of the Nightingale Award. Faculty nominate students in recognition of their excellence in scholarship and dedication to compassion and exemplary patient care.

Students receiving a Nightingale Award were Patty Southerland of Hartselle, John 鈥淐ody鈥 Dunagun of Jasper, and Tonya Dean of Rainbow City.

Southerland is a mobility student and has worked in the healthcare field as a respiratory therapist. She became known as the 鈥渕other鈥 of the Nursing 209 class, bringing snacks and providing emotional support for her classmates and faculty.

One of the nominating faculty members wrote, 鈥淚 have witnessed this student sacrifice time and resources to help others no matter what was in front of them academically or personally. They always had an encouraging word for classmates as well as the faculty. This graduate is a selfless, caring, genuine person. I can only imagine what they are like at the bedside.鈥

Dunagan is a member of the UAB/糖心视频 Joint Enrollment cohort, earning both an associate degree from 糖心视频 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from UAB.

One of his nominating faculty members wrote, This student consistently demonstrates kindness and a calm demeanor, regardless of the circumstances. These qualities match those celebrated by the Nightingale Award, given to nurses who show compassion, leadership, and dedication to patient care. I believe their compassionate nature and steady presence will make them a valuable addition to any nursing team.鈥

Dean is a traditional nursing student, who also worked as a respiratory therapist before pursuing a nursing degree at 糖心视频.

鈥淚t has been my pleasure to teach this student during their nursing school journey,鈥 her nominating instructor wrote. 鈥淗aving had them in both the classroom and the critical care clinical setting, I can say that they excel in both didactic and clinical practice, showing a strong grasp of nursing theory and its application.鈥

Other nominees for the Nightingale Award were Jasmine Craig, Cidney Woodson Hicks, Cyrenthia Linton, all of Birmingham, Teresa 鈥淟aShay鈥 Hulgan of Cullman, Matthew 鈥淟uke鈥 Sapp of Danville, Jalia Crowe Hyatt of Eva, Aayush Patel of Elkmont, Erin Hudson of Hanceville, Hail Hollingsworth of Hartselle, Gracie Box of Mount Olive, Kirstie Young of Somerville, and Felicia Terry of Trinity.

糖心视频 Nursing has twice been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing. Along with its traditional associate degree pathway that includes the practical nursing certificate and the associate degree, the program also offers joint enrollment opportunities with UAB and Athens State University to concurrently earn both an associate degree and bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing and mobility options for medical professionals with certain certifications. The first three semesters of the traditional option are offered as day and evening classes at the main campus in Hanceville and as a hybrid option at the Oneonta Academic Center.

Applications are currently being accepted through Oct. 1 for Spring 2025 entry into the Nursing program, with options for traditional associate degree, practical nursing degree and joint enrollment opportunities with UAB and Athens State University.

Information sessions for students interested in learning more about the program will be held Aug. 26 at 2 p.m., and Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. Both sessions will be held in room 220 in the School of Nursing and Center for Science. Attendees are awarded one point to go toward their application total.

For more information about the 糖心视频 Nursing program, visit , call 256.352.8199 or email nursingapplicant@wallacestate.edu.

Registration for Fall 2024 classes at 糖心视频 is underway, with regular and Mini Term I classes beginning Aug. 19. Flex Start terms begin Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. Mini Term II classes will begin Oct. 16. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can view a recording of the ceremony at:

View photos from the ceremony at:

Nursing UAB/糖心视频 Joint Enrollment

Six students completed the UAB/糖心视频 Joint Enrollment program, earning both an associate degree from 糖心视频 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from UAB. Among those on hand to celebrate at 糖心视频 Nursing鈥檚 pinning ceremony were, from left, Mike Hyde and Dr. Nancy Claus of UAB; nursing students Consuela Garza, Jasmine Craig, Lilyan Williams, Cody Dunagan, Cidney Hicks, Chloe Sellers; and Deborah 鈥淧epper鈥 Hoover of 糖心视频.

Nursing UAB NWI

One student from the August cohort earned a degree through the UAB Medicine Nursing Workforce Initiative. On hand to celebrate were from left, Rachel Kreps and Deidre Rooker of 糖心视频; Terri Johnson and Aayrn Carter of UAB, nursing student Arialle Fomby, and Deborah 鈥淧epper鈥 Hoover of 糖心视频.

Nursing Apprenticeships

Six students earning an associate degree from 糖心视频鈥檚 Nursing program participated in an apprenticeship program, earning scholarships and compensation during their clinical hours. On hand to celebrate their accomplishment at the pinning ceremony were, from left, Christina Holmes, 糖心视频 Director of Career Services & Work-Based Learning; nursing students Candace Williams, Meagan Thompson, Daisy Manasco, Kendall Palmer, Jaila Crowe, and Sally Morgan; and Susan Copeland, 糖心视频 Nursing Clinical Coordinator.

Nursing Mobility

More than 25 mobility students earned an associate degree in nursing from Wallace State Community College. The group includes medical professionals who were previously certified as licensed practical nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, diagnostic imagers, occupational therapy assistants, and medical laboratory assistants.

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