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Nursing students reach milestone at NRTC
Nevada Daily Mail
The Nevada School of Practical Nursing class 51 held a traditional capping ceremony Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Ella Maxwell Performing Arts Center.
Special guests were Dr. Phillip Witt, director of Nevada Regional Technical Center; Tammy Hendren, guidance counselor for the Nevada Regional Technical Center; and Janet Mather, financial counselor.
Also in attendance was Neoma Foreman, representing Gideon's Bible. She spoke on the tradition of the nurses in the Bible and had available a nurses Bible for each student who wished to receive one. Class officers were also introduced -- Class President Jamie Post, Class Vice President Stacey Hale, Class Secretary Paige Neighbors and Class Treasurer Karee Wood.
The NRTC recognizes one student from each of the 15 programs with the honor of "student of the semester." The practical nursing recipient was selected from the following criteria: professionalism, attitude, academics, and attendance. The honor went to nursing student Kimberly Vanholt.
Vanholt spoke on the history of capping.
Instructors KA'Sandra Leer, RN, BSN; and Kerenza Frame, RN, BSN; assisted in the ceremony. along with the school's director, Joanna Perkins, RN, BSN.
The ceremony was started with the nursing students walking in, along with their instructors, to the stage where Neighbors opened the ceremony with a prayer.
Perkins welcomed the audience and special guests. She addressed the nursing students and told them that this capping ceremony represents the end of their introductory phase of nursing education and the beginning of their advanced clinical phase.
Perkins talked about how Florence Nightingale brought about the nursing cap to bring professionalism into nursing and this class was enthusiastic in carrying out the tradition.
She also told the nursing students that the cap represents an important place in the nursing history and that she hopes the students will keep the rich history of nursing in their hearts as they begin the practice of nursing.
She also went on to say that the students have successfully completed the necessary courses the past 19 weeks, with well over 700 hours, and have proven themselves worthy representatives of receiving one of the noblest items of the nursing profession: the cap.
She congratulated the students on their success thus far and added that all the instructors are looking forward to their clinical rotation.
After Perkins addressed the students, Leer and Frame joined in with the presentation of the "Nurses Cap." After all 15 students were capped, the students were congratulated by family and friends, along with their instructors.
As the ceremony was closing, Perkins toldthe students the cap they received today is a symbol of service to humankind.
"It's also a symbolic status."
Florence Nightingale was the first nursing theorist. She followed these principles: "cleanliness, fresh air, good food, rest, sleep and exercise."
She then lit a candle saying, "As I light this candle, I want you to remember this: be mindful, observant and receptive in giving special considerations to the needs, desires and comfort of your patients, along with the principles set forth by Florence Nightingale."
As the students each lit their candle, the lights were dimmed and Perkins added, after all candles were lit, "Nursing students, as you start your journey in clinical education, may the light of this candle keep your path bright."
At the end of the statement, the students exited the auditorium guided by the candlelight.