The final words of the Florence Nightingale Nurses’ Pledge were spoken unanimously by the 21 graduating members of this year’s Joe G. Davis School of Vocational Nursing at Huntsville Memorial Hospital.
They were “…devoting me to the welfare of those committed to my care.”
Upon hearing those words from the 44th graduating class of the LVN school on Friday, many in the audience in the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville were moved to tears.
“You are entering health care in a most challenging time and have chosen a career in a field that is highly regulated,” said Sally Nelson, CEO at HMH in her opening remarks to graduates. “But you are also in a very unique profession where you can demonstrate your level of care and commitment to your patients every single day.”
Nelson went on to talk about the four-year Bachelor of Nursing program that will begin in 2011 at Sam Houston State University.
“Until their health professions’ building is on the ground, our hospital will be providing space for classrooms right here at home,” Nelson said. “Even if you do not ever choose to continue to a higher level of nursing excellence, we are working with Sam Houston State University to make the opportunity available to you should you decide to move to a higher level of nursing education.”
Nelson said that except for the birth of a healthy baby, when families bring a loved one to the hospital, the situation can be one of the most stressful events in their lives.
She implored the graduates to always remember to provide their patients with the assurance of the care they will be providing and to confirm with them that they will be a team working through the process together.
Heather Bauer, LVN, a 2006 graduate of the program at HMH, was the guest speaker for the ceremony.
“Three days after graduation I was at work at Huntsville Memorial on 3 East,” Bauer said. “I was scared and shy, but prayed for confidence and strength to help me help my patients. By the end of the week, I felt more prepared to assist my patients and discovered how and when to ask for help.”
Today, Bauer is a preceptor for the new LVNs coming to Huntsville Memorial and is on the path to her RN license.
A new LVN class begins on Dec. 28. Applications for the 2011 class will be accepted in March.
Catherine Igodo, wife of graduate Christian Igodo, LVN sang two special songs for the graduates — one being “You Lift Me Up.”
She blessed the graduates, and especially blessed them for the shoulders upon which so many will depend.
The Patsy Woodall Award was presented to Andrea Bell for exemplifying leadership in the class.
Prior to leaving the ceremony, Susan White, chief nursing officer at HMH, asked each of the students to “look deeply into the palms of your hands and you will see all generations of your family and all generations to come. Let us celebrate your commitment to their care.”
Graduates are Racheal Bailey, Bobby Bates, Andrea Bell, Rhonda, Blair, Holly Botard, Joe Cano, Evalee Chenault, John Fawcett, Elizabeth French, Kandy Hightower, Deanna Horton, Christian Igodo, Heidi LeClair, Jennifer Libby, Karrie Love, Osreca Miller, Kristin Mizrany, Pamela Ogle,Alivia Ronsonette, Hollie Selman and Angela Wills.
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