VGCC Practical Nursing Graduates Learn Of Science And Art Of Nursing

Sixteen women who completed the Practical Nursing program at Vance-Granville Community College received their traditional nursing pins in candlelight ceremonies Aug. 1 in the Civic Center.

Getting “pinned” prior to graduation Aug. 5 were Daphne Allen, Sebrena Renee Blacknall, Keisha Delores Cheatham, Kristy Elaine Darnell, Terri Pearce Grissom, Shawmannetta Latrece Harris, Wanda Catheleen Mitchell and Jacqueline Denise Richardson, all of Henderson, Ruby Ann Alston of Townsville, Wanda Gail Burwell of Franklinton, Summer Carlie Stracco of Louisburg, Amy Nichole Hobgood and Heather Marie Mayes of Oxford, Paula Ann McGhee Temple of Creedmoor, Michelle Shelton Porterfield of Roxboro and Omorinsola Christiana Abisogun of Raleigh.

VGCC President Robert A. Miller welcomed families and friends of the new practical nurses and thanked them for the support they provided the students as they followed their dreams.

Miller said the practical nursing class was a diverse group with ages ranging from 21 to 44. The graduates have a total of 19 children, and one (Wanda Burwell) even has three grandchildren.

Fourteen of the graduates also held jobs, one of them full-time, while completing the difficult nursing curriculum, Miller said.

Donna Mooney, a registered nurse employed by the State Board of Nursing, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony, and she based her remarks on the difference between the science and the art of nursing.

“During your school here, you have focused on the science of the craft,” she said. “The art of nursing cannot be taught.”

Mooney told the graduates to conjure what the ideal nurse looks like. “She probably looks like an angel in white, perfectly groomed, caring, committed, she shows character, and she knows the importance of touch,” she said. “That describes the art of nursing – it’s about who you are, how you look, the professionalism you display.”

“No one was ever sued for smiling,” Mooney said. “When people in a hospital complain about their care, they never complain about the compassionate nurse. The art and science of nursing have to co-exist to be effective,” she said.

Francine Davis, director of the Practical Nursing Program at Vance-Granville, presented pins to the students who maintained grade-point-averages of 3.0 and above. Wanda Burwell was recognized as having the highest average, and the other academic achievement pins went to Summer Stracco, Michelle Porterfield and Ruby Alston.

Keisha Cheatham read a poem she wrote about nursing, and she and Shawmannetta Harris sang a duet prior to the graduates receiving their nursing pins. The ceremonies ended with the graduates holding lighted candles in a darkened Civic Center and reciting the International Council of Nurses Pledge.

In the photo above, members of the 2002 Practical Nursing graduating class of Vance-Granville Community College gather for a group picture prior to pinning ceremonies Aug. 1 at the Civic Center. Front row, from left, are Jacqueline D. Richardson, Summer C. Stracco, Heather M. Mayes, Michelle D. Porterfield, Shawmannetta L. Harris, Sebrena R. Blacknall, Omorinsola C. Abisogun and Keisha D. Cheatham. Back row, from left, are Wanda C. Mitchell, Wanda G. Burwell, Daphne Allen, Ruby A. Alston, Amy N. Hobgood, Kristy E. Darnell, Terry P. Grissom and Paula A. Temple.