BAYTOWN, TX — More than 70 new Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) graduates were recognized for their achievements and welcomed into the nursing profession this month at the annual pinning ceremony, which marks the culmination of their Lee College journey and entry into the next phase of their careers.
“It is very hard to sum up every quality that makes a great nurse; that list would be endless,” said Tracy Allen, director of the nursing program and a Lee College alumna. “Hard work, dedication to patient care, incredible spirit and passion for excellence drive nurses every day to participate in the healthcare of patients and families across the globe. You are prepared, you have done the work and the connection you have made with Lee College and the nursing program will be forever ingrained in who you are and who you become as a professional.”
The Lee College nursing program emphasizes practical experience that prepares students for the realities of a clinical setting. From their first semester, students are required to spend time in both traditional classes and the laboratory and hands-on clinical environment. They are also encouraged to become lifelong learners and continue their education beyond the associate degree, following the example of several Nursing Division faculty members who are pursuing doctoral and master’s degrees in the field.
“As faculty, our goal is to challenge the students to think independently, provide feedback for improvement and nurture great ideas and successes,” said Roy Barefield, an Associate Degree Nursing instructor who delivered a heartfelt and personal salute to the Class of 2016. “You have met those challenges, you met the bar as we raised it higher and higher, and you proved that if you prepare and believe in yourself, you can achieve your goal and your dream. We rejoice in all you have done.”
At the pinning ceremony, faculty members called graduates to the stage one by one to affix the coveted metal pin to the chests of their starched, white uniforms. Graduates then lined up in two rows to receive the light of knowledge from their instructors, passing the live flame from one ceramic lamp to the next before reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge taken by all professional nurses.
“We congratulate you on finishing a very rigorous curriculum,” said Lee College Pres. Dr. Dennis Brown. “Every one of you knows that it’s difficult, and we understand why is has to be so rigorous: You’re going to become a licensed registered nurse. You have the opportunity to work at hospitals, clinical sites, doctor’s offices, public health units and in many different settings. I know how well-trained you are, and I know your patients will be in good hands.”