The inaugural class of Piedmont Community College (PCC) Practical Nursing (PN) graduates were celebrated at a memorable pinning ceremony on December 17 held at the Kirby Theater and Cultural Arts Center.
Fifteen graduates were pinned in a heartfelt moment of recognition for their dedication and success, shared with proud family members, friends, faculty and staff.
Addressing his fellow classmates, Tyler Shore gave the graduate speech and thanked family, friends and faculty for supporting the graduates through their journey.
“When you chose to become a nurse, you chose more than just a career,” Shore said. “You chose a calling. A commitment to care for people in their most vulnerable moments, to be a source of strength and hope and to dedicate yourself to healing not just the body, but the spirit as well.”
Darrick Woods, Director, Nursing Programs, acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the graduates.
“The pinning ceremony is not just a celebration of our Practical Nursing students’ academic success but a recognition of their dedication, compassion and resilience shown throughout their educational journey” Woods said. “The pin that they receive not only symbolizes their hard work, but also their commitment to the values of nursing—care, integrity and excellence. It marks the transition from student to nurse, from learner to professional. We are incredibly proud of each of them.”
Woods presented the following graduates with Outstanding Student Awards along with scholarships:
- Chalilah Williams – Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
- Tyler Shore – Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
- Shant’e Newman – Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
- Dominique Carrington – Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
- Shamira Pulliam – Nightingale Scholarship
- Brandy Majors – Nightingale Scholarship
Each graduate was presented with a nursing pin, a symbol of their entry into the nursing profession. The pins were affixed to their white nursing uniforms by family members or faculty members in attendance. After receiving their pins they were presented with lamps, a symbol of the nursing heroine, Florence Nightingale. Once the lamps were lit the graduates recited the nursing pledge in unison led by nursing instructor Dana Paul.
The PN graduates are as follows: Chelsea Anne Adero, Chanta Allen, Dominique Carrington, Casey Halbohn, Brandy Majors, Sidney Melton, Shant’e Newman, Enyeribe Nweke, Shamira Pulliam, Tiyana Randle, Gereka Richmond, Heather Shearin, Tyler Shore, Chalilah Williams and Latosha Williams.
The graduates will now have the opportunity to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which is the final step for them to become licensed practical nurses.
PCC’s PN program began January 2024 and a new cohort begins each January. Visit www.piedmontcc.edu/practical-nursing for more information about PCC’s PN program.
The 2024 Practical Nursing ceremony can be viewed on PCC’s YouTube channel.
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