December 5, 2024
Pearl River Community College recognized 45 Practical Nursing graduates at a pinning ceremony at the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts on Tuesday, December 3. Students were from the night and weekend programs held on the Forrest County, Hancock, and Poplarville campuses.
Executive Vice President for Instruction/Provost Dr. Martha Lou Smith welcomed the graduates along with their family and friends with words of congratulation for their accomplishments on behalf of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees. She shared thoughts from the heart as she reflected upon the impact nurses had on her mom and family during the final month of her mom’s life.
“During the course of your careers, you’re going to see and feel suffering in so many forms,” Smith said. “To some of the patients that you’re going to care for your halo will shine extra brightly simply because your face is the only caring face that they’re going to see during their entire hospital stay.
“I welcome you to a career that has the potential to change the lives of every single patient you encounter. And I suspect every patient has the potential to change your life as well.”
The Invocation was given by Ashley Gilbert of the Poplarville Campus. The Practical Nurse’s Pledge was led by Richard Mazur from the Hancock County Campus. Tatianna Brown from the Forrest County Campus provided the Benediction to close out the ceremony.
Each student wrote out a dedication card expressing gratitude for those who helped them on the journey to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. They were read aloud while each new nurse approached their instructors to receive their pin.
The dedications were read by Mrs. Chelsea Dunhurst for the Hancock County Campus, Ms. Bridget Cahill for the Forrest County Campus, and Mrs. Ruthie Long for the Poplarville Campus.
Practical Nursing students are listed by campus.
Forrest County Campus: Eternity Alford (George County), Gelisa Barard (Heidelberg), Yasmin Beverly (Forrest County), Tautianna Brown (Hattiesburg), Amber Carney (Madisonville, LA), Maria Coleman (Marion County), Cody Garner (Perry County), Lakeria Hayes (Magnolia), Charnessa Johnson (Stone County), Latonia Jones (Paulding), Toya Jones (Rockdale County, GA), Jada Lewis (Magnolia), Grace McCluskey (Lamar County), Kia Morris (Forrest County), Christina Nicholson (Terrebonne Parish, LA), Schavetta Polk (Greene County), Shauntavia Polk (George County), and Jaylen Smith (Ellisville).
Hancock Campus: Aleah Berthelot (Bay Saint Louis), LeDeja Connley (Picayune), Kyshja Davis (Gulfport), Leximary Foshee (Interlachen, LF), Kelley King (Gulfport), Richard Mazur (Long Beach), Olicia McDougle (Picayune), Danyel McMillan (Sacier), Destini Milner (Picayune), Pamela Morel (Bay Saint Louis), Tiashia Ruffin (Shubuta), Denetra Shelley (Bay Saint Louis), Alexus Simpson (Biloxi), and Jameilya Williams (Gulfport).
Poplarville Campus: Keori Burton (Picayune), Danielle Cameron (Picayune), Ashley Cooper (Poplarville), Cmonie Cooper (Slidell, LA), Hannah Cummings (Slidell, LA), Olivea Fairley (Benndale), Tamekia Fairley-McKines (Lumberton), Ashley Gilbert (Picayune), Latasha Holmes (Hattiesburg), Azlinn Sharp (Picayune), Ebonisha Thompson (Slidell, LA), Keundra Williams (Tylertown), and Sherita Willis (Lumberton).
LPN PROGRAM OPTIONS AND HOW TO APPLY
The Practical Nursing program is available for full-time students during the day at the Forrest County and Poplarville Campuses. An evening/weekend option is available at all three campuses (Forrest County, Hancock, and Poplarville.) Full-time students complete the program in three semesters (one year) while part-time students take five semesters to finish.
Prospective students must first meet all PRCC admission requirements before completing the Practical Nursing application. Applicants must also take the TEAS Test completed through ATI Testing. The deadline to apply to ANY option is March 1.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article and photography by Laura O’Neill.
