PRCC student receives top state nursing award (Photo attached; nameline below)

POPLARVILLE – The Mississippi Organization of Associate Degree Nurses selected Rachel Aultman of Sumrall to receive the Outstanding ADN Student Award for 2011-12.Aultman, who will graduate from Pearl River Community College in May with an associate degree in nursing, was honored during the organization annual convention in March.I was just flabbergasted, she said. It was such an honor to be nominated by PRCC, much less to get the award.In addition to a plaque, Aultman received a $500 scholarship which will eventually be used in studying for a master degree.Im probably going to work for a couple of years to get experience, she said.Aultman came to PRCC two years ago after earning a bachelor degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She hopes to specialize in psychiatric nursing.The PRCC nursing faculty nominated Aultman for the award.Rachel was nominated because of her outstanding grades, her attitude, her clinical performance and her commitment to nursing, including current and future technology in nursing, said nursing instructor Ella Mae Penton. She is compassionate and caring about her patients, her fellow students and even her instructors. Rachel communicates well with nursing staff and was nominated because she was the best overall.Aultman is the daughter of Linda and Jim Moulder of Brookhaven and is married to Dustin Aultman, who deployed to Afghanistan in March as a medevac pilot.He was definitely my rock through nursing school, she said.PRCC received other honors at the convention, including:First place tie with Delta State Community College for the Magnolia Cup awarded to the college with the largest number of faculty belonging to MOADN.Second semester instructor Rebecca Pullens was nominated for Nurse Educator of the Year.Students Aaron Powell and Christopher Hebert were one of nine teams competing in the Scholar Quiz Bowl.

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.