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Future nurses receive caps
Seventeen students from Nevada Regional Technical Center’s Practical Nursing class No. 54 celebrated a milestone achievement Friday evening with a capping ceremony at the Ella Maxwell Performing Arts Center.
“They’re a very lively class,” program director Linda Douglas said prior to the ceremony. “Academically, they are all in good standing. They’re a very creative group … I know they’re going to be good nurses.”
The capping ceremony marks the halfway point in the 10-month program. The first semester of the program consists of studying life cycles, anatomy and physiology, fundamental skills in nursing, personal and vocational concepts, IV therapy, geriatric nursing care, math for medication administration, and introductory medical/surgical nursing.
“Capping symbolizes their professionalism,” Douglas said. “It is a symbol that they have completed their basic nursing courses and now they’re ready to advance to the clinical setting where they actually get to interact with people.”
The second semester of the course includes hands-on clinical experiences and coursework on advanced personal and professional concepts, advanced fundamental nursing skills, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and advanced medical/surgical nursing.
“The nurse’s cap was introduced as a sanitary measure in healthcare, then it was used to differentiate the nurses from other healthcare personnel but it soon became much more,” class president Amanda Swopes said. “Capping is an important part of nursing school. It’s much more than a cap, its an achievement. It’s a stepping stone towards our long-term goal. The cap is not a part of our nursing uniform, it is a symbol of professionalism … This has been no easy task, we’ve hit lots of bumps, but with teamwork and a little grit, we’ve made it halfway there.”
One by one, each student came forward, and Douglas pinned their cap upon their head — the gentleman received a lapel pin: Brooke Best, Anna Busey, Natasha Chamberlain, Hilari Cole, Haley Collins, Nicole Davis, Kinede Houdeshelt, Quincy Keating, Janiece Landry, Lana Maltbie, Phay Meyer, Lexi Nelson, Aaron Reed, Langley Stroud, Amanda Scope, Crystal Wheeler and Alex White.
Following the capping ceremony, each student again came forward to light their Lamp of Knowledge from Douglas’.
Douglas said, “The Lamp of Knowledge represents the lamp the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, carried on her rounds when checking on patients. Miss Nightingale taught basic principals of cleanliness, fresh air, good food, rest, sleep and exercise — all very basic principals that apply today. Lighting of the Lamp of Knowledge represents the student’s commitment to obtain the greatest knowledge possible in order that they may provide quality and compassionate care.”
Each student also received a Bible from the Gideon’s Society with remarks given by Delores Hovey, chaplain.
Lexi Nelson was recognized for perfect attendance during the first 19 weeks of the program, she also received the first NRTC Practical Nursing scholarship. Quincy Keating was honored by the instructors as Student of the Semester for her professionalism, attitude, academics, and attendance.
The Practical Nursing Program was founded in 1963 as a joint venture by the federal Manpower Development and Training Act and the Nevada R-5 School District. In 1973, the Practical Nursing Program became part of what is now called the Nevada Regional Technical Center.
The fully accredited, 1,457-hour program has been approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
According to the program brochure, graduation requirements for the Practical Nursing Program are rigorous and include maintaining at least 95 percent attendance, 80 percent average in academic performance, 85 percent in clinical performance, and 90 percent in skills competencies, score 90 percent or better on a math proficiency exam and “perform all functional abilities required for practical nursing.”
NRTC Practical Nursing class No. 54 is set to graduate in mid-2018.