Florence Nightingale, the Founder of Nursing, presented nine graduates of Vantage Career Center Adult Education Licensed Practical Nursing program with their “Lady of the Lamp” nursing pin. She states, “I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took an excuse”. The Pinning Ceremony, held of August 9th, 2022, highlighted the graduates’ efforts, success and dedication to the nursing profession as they begin their careers.
Practical Nursing Administrator Jessica Hoyng opened the program and welcomed family and friends who attended the ceremony in support of the graduates, while Superintendent Rick Turner commended the students for their hard work and dedication to their skills.
During opening remarks, Hoyng expressed the need for each of these graduates in the nursing field, saying “According to Gandhi, The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. I know when I look at these graduates I see strength, determination, and hope. Great nurses are needed now more than ever and right here in front of us are nine that will make a difference in the lives of the patients they care for.”
Class speaker and graduate Kelsie Poling also delivered an empowering speech declaring that, “Nurses can be some of the most selfless people in the world, always putting what is best for others before our own and making sure others are taken care of. So for us to take this time and be a little selfish to achieve a dream, and a step into a career that we have wanted is truly something to celebrate, and a great achievement for us all.”
Special awards were presented by Practical Nursing Instructor Sara Beining to students who achieved high test scores in the following categories: Melissa Hilleary, highest score for HESI Fundamentals of Nursing Exam; and Leslie Moore, highest score for HESI Exit Exam, HESI Medical-Surgical Exam, HESI Maternity Exam, HESI Pediatrics Exam, and HESI Pharmacology Exam. Three other distinguished awards were given to Ashley Thornton, Florence Nightingale Nursing Excellence for Patient Advocacy; Anna Auer, Florence Nightingale Nursing Excellence for Motivation, Determination and Hardwork; and Becky Wells, Florence Nightingale Excellence for Leadership. Beining completed the special awards with a farewell to all the graduates. “Your last steps will be the most important steps of all. Stepping across this stage as nursing students and out into the world as nursing professionals.”
During the pinning ceremony, family members of the graduates were welcomed to present the students with the Practical Nursing graduate pins. The 2022 Licensed Practical Nurse graduating class includes: Anna Auer (Delphos), Ihoness Chapman (Ft. Wayne), Autumn Hardy (Pandora), Melissa Hilleary (Willshire), Grace Kline (Van Wert), Kelsie Poling (Convoy), Ashley Thornton (Ft. Wayne), Leslie Moore (Van Wert), and Rebecca Wells (Payne).
Closing remarks were delivered by Erin Askins, Practical Nursing Instructor. “This pinning ceremony is a symbol of the student’s hard work and dedication that they have put into their classes, lab, and clinicals this past year. You will notice that the nursing pin has the symbol of a lamp. This lamp is a symbol of our nursing legend Florence Nightingale. She set the standards for us nurses. I hope as you see this pin, it helps you to follow in her footsteps.” Askins then welcomed each graduate to the nursing field and applauded them for their accomplishments this past year.
Among the Practical Nursing graduates were their families and friends, Adult Education Director Angie Fahy, Superintendent Rick Turner, Practical Nursing Administrator Jessica Hoyng, LPN-RN Transition Administrator Jean Sullivan, Nursing Instructor Erin Askins, and Nursing Instructor Sara Beining.
A special thank you was mentioned of the following hosting clinical facilities of this year’s graduating class: Ridgeview Behavioral Health, Van Wert County Health Department, Mercer Health, Mercy Health St. Rita’s, Paulding County Hospital, Crestview Schools, Parkway Schools, Van Wert Schools, Vancrest Health Care, Van Wert Manor, Van Wert Health, and Wee Care Day Care.
Classes will begin for the Class of 2023 on September 6th 2022. The Practical Nursing Program consists of 1318 hours completed in 11 months, with clinical and laboratory components. Clinical experiences will take place at local hospitals and long-term care facilities. After earning their LPN License and completing a minimum of 750 hours as an experienced LPN, students will then have a direct pathway into the Vantage LPN – RN Transition program. For more information about the Vantage Adult Education Practical Nursing program, please visit http://www.vantagecareercenter.com/practicalnurseprog.aspx.
