Vocational Nursing graduate Brittaney Sandefur (center) receives her American Red Cross pin from Donald Sanford (left) as Tracy Allen, Director of Nursing (right), prepares to add the Lee College pin to Sandefur’s lapel and her classmates look on. The Class of Summer 2015, honored at an Aug. 5 ceremony at the Performing Arts Center on campus, included 22 new vocational nurses.
Lee College honored this month the 22 newest graduates of its Vocational Nursing (VN) Program in a special ceremony at the Performing Arts Center, where they were presented with the coveted pins and red-striped nurses’ caps emblematic of their new careers.
“This ceremony really represents the completion of our program and a welcome for these nurses into the profession,” said Tracy Allen, director of Nursing, who affixed the trademark Lee College pins to the starched white lapels of each graduate as they walked across the stage.
Graduates at the ceremony received their diplomas from lead VN instructor Nora James, and striped caps from faculty member Gary Carter. Many were also presented an additional pin from the American Red Cross, which was represented at the ceremony by Donald Sanford of the Greater Houston chapter.
Each graduate also carried a candle, which was lit with the single flame held by faculty member Mary Victory in a symbolic passing of the torch. Candles in hand, the new nurses recited the Vocational Nursing Pledge in front of their family, friends and loved ones.
“Never think of this is the end; this is the beginning,” Pres. Dr. Dennis Brown told the Class of Summer 2015, noting the rigor of the program and the considerable effort it takes to successfully complete it. “Every milestone is just the start of something bigger and better to come in your lives. We couldn’t be more proud of what you have accomplished.”
The VN program at Lee College, accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing, prepares students for the national licensing examination and performance of safe nursing care in a variety of clinical settings and situations. Applications for admission are accepted between February 1 and April 1. For more information about the program curriculum and candidate requirements, contact the Department of Nursing at 281.425.6229 or visit www.lee.edu/nursing/.