OFTC Practical Nursing Students Receive Pin During Summer 2022 Pinning Ceremony

August 8, 2022
OFTC Practical Nursing students during the pinning ceremony.

24 Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) Practical Nursing (PN) students were honored during the College’s August Pinning Ceremony held on the Sandersville Campus, Thursday, August 4.  

Each year OFTC holds this ceremony to symbolize the nursing student’s completion of the educational requirements needed to sit for the state board licensure examination and to welcome them into the family of nurses.   

“We’re so proud of our Practical Nursing students who have been dedicated in class and clinical to complete this demanding program,” shared Suann McNutt, PN Instructor on the Sandersville Campus. “They have had many challenges along the way, but it didn’t stop their drive to achieve their goal. We hope these students continue to grow and provide the best care to their patients.”  

“It is always amazing to see the growth of students from the time they enter the program to when they finish,” added Kelly McAdams, PN Instructor on the Dublin Campus. “Through all the ups and downs, the times they wanted to give up and quit, they kept going and pushed through. We are proud of what these students have achieved, and we hope they are too.”  

The tradition of the pinning ceremony dates to the Crusades when members of the Knight Hospitallers were honored with Maltese crosses after caring for wounded soldiers. Then in the 1860’s Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, continued the tradition when she decided all nursing students who completed nursing training deserved recognition.    

During the ceremony each graduating nurse received their pin, lit the ceremonious candle, and recited the Nightingale Pledge in honor of Florence Nightingale.   

Graduating nurses from the Sandersville Campus were: Sharon Bazemore, Wrens; Shelly Brown, Sandersville; Neisha Fields, Davisboro; Jakeria Hines, Stapleton; Jordan Johnson, Sandersville; Tayunda Whipple, Milledgeville; Alexis Wicker, Louisville; and Jada Yarbrough, Gibson. Graduating nurses from the Dublin Campus were: Kristen Bailey, Wilkinson; Eriana Cuyler, Laurens; Lacey Durden, Johnson; Jacob Forrest, Telfair; Olivia Giddens, Laurens; Melissa Gundy, Laurens; Armony Hurst, Laurens; Aurtavia McRae, Telfair; Sarah Mimbs, Laurens; Jordan Moseley, Bleckley; Brittany Rowland, Laurens; Julie Sapp, Laurens; Danielle Smith, Wheeler; Avory Snelgrove, Laurens; Shambria Trimble, Laurens; and Kelley Wilds, Laurens.  

For more info on OFTC’s Practical Nursing program, visit OFTC.edu/departments/nursing/.

OFTC PN Pinning ceremony students: L-R, Back: Jada Yarbrough, Jakeria Hines, Jordan Johnson, Tayunda Whipple; front: Neisha Fields, Sharon Bazemore, Shelly Brown, Alexis Wicker.
L-R, Back: Jada Yarbrough, Jakeria Hines, Jordan Johnson, Tayunda Whipple; front: Neisha Fields, Sharon Bazemore, Shelly Brown, Alexis Wicker.
OFTC PN Pinning Ceremony students: L-R, Back: Kristen Bailey, Kelley Wilds, Lacey Durden, Brittany Rowland, Julie Sapp, Danielle Smith, Aurtavia McRae; front: Eriana Cuyler, Olivia Giddens, Melissa Gundy, Sarah Mimbs, Jacob Forrest, Avory Snelgrave, Jordan Moseley, Shambria Trimble, Armony Hurst.
L-R, Back: Kristen Bailey, Kelley Wilds, Lacey Durden, Brittany Rowland, Julie Sapp, Danielle Smith, Aurtavia McRae; front: Eriana Cuyler, Olivia Giddens, Melissa Gundy, Sarah Mimbs, Jacob Forrest, Avory Snelgrave, Jordan Moseley, Shambria Trimble, Armony Hurst.

###