Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Jones College’s Associate Degree Nurse grads are “COVID-19” prepared
ELLISVILLE – Observing CDC protocols, 41 Jones College Associate Degree Nursing graduates celebrated their successful completion of the five-semester program with the traditional, Nurses Pinning Ceremony in the Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Football Field. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith noted today’s celebration in the football stadium was an odd place for these nursing graduates, but it is also very appropriate considering their adaptable attitudes have allowed them to be successful.
“If it were easy, we’d all be nurses. You have chosen the most noble profession we can teach at Jones. We are honored you have made it through and are celebrating today. It makes me very proud that the most important thing we do at the college, you have done very well, and we thank you. We know you are going to impact so many lives,” said Smith.
Completing the rigorous but rewarding nursing program was a dream come true after two years of sacrifice, dedication and perseverance for Keira James of Jackson. One of the biggest challenges for James was juggling her responsibilities at home and school.
“Switching to online learning while balancing a life at home with my husband and young toddler was difficult. However, my instructors were so helpful by providing different time slots where we could join lecture conferences at our convenience because so many of us had busy home lives,” said James. “As for working amidst the pandemic, I feel a little more at ease going into a hospital setting with prior education and experience with pandemic protocols and seeing it first-hand. COVID-19 is still concerning, especially as the numbers are back on the rise, but I feel more prepared to help in this pandemic.”
The COVID-19 virus changed these graduates’ normal course of study, and everything else, midway through the A. D. N. program. While it threw a few off-track, for Hannah Lott of Petal, it forced her to find a new way of learning.
“Although online testing didn’t numerically affect my grades, it raised my stress level knowing that I was not able to physically write on a test anymore. We also transitioned into online lectures instead of class lectures, which took a toll on me as well as some of my classmates. However, I believe I adapted very well given the circumstances, and I think the pandemic prepared me for the future and being comfortable with the ‘unknown’ and just learning how to quickly adjust and adapt. In the end, Jones’ nursing instructors and South Central Regional Medical Center provided me with the necessary tools and guidelines needed to help protect myself and others from this virus,”
Being flexible is something graduate, Laura Ellerman of Hattiesburg said she learned as she navigated through the changes the COVID-19 protocols mandated. As both faculty and students worked toward accomplishing mutual goals to attain clinical experience, creative problem solving became more necessary.
“Having evening clinicals is just one example of how we had to be flexible to meet the educational and clinical requirements for this challenging program,” said Ellerman. “The JC A.D. Nursing program not only taught us these abilities, but they also put them in action with us, in real-time. I will be eternally grateful to the JC COVID-19 Task Force and faculty and SCRMC for diligently and successfully creating, monitoring and maintaining environments that allowed our program to continue to thrive during these trying times. It was not an easy feat to accomplish!”
Associate Degree Nursing Program Director, Erin Knight, MSN, RN, acknowledged there have been many changes but these graduates have embraced the changes and thrived. Nurses are well-equipped to best embrace an ever-changing environment.
“The year 2020 has been such a challenge for all of us in so many ways. We are proud that these students have embraced those challenges and are now able to move out into the workforce. We know they are ready to take NCLEX-RN and be at the bedside taking care of patients where they will make a difference every day and to every patient they encounter,” said Knight.
At the Pinning Ceremony, five graduates were recognized by Knight for their perfect attendance and dedication: Jasmine Hamilton of McComb, Breanna Helms of Hattiesburg, Harleigh Howell of Ellisville, Madison Odom of Ellisville, and Sarah Sherman of New Hebron.
JC nurse graduates, Brianna Helms, Lori Jones of Hattiesburg, Hannah Lott of Petal, Hannah Smith of Heidelberg, Dalton Sumrall of Moselle and Kaelin Vegas of Columbia were also recognized as the newest members of the Gamma Nu chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society.
Jones College Associate Degree Nursing Fall 2020 Graduates
Raven Anderson Laurel
Cher Lacherme Arrington Laurel
Chelsie Brown Ellisville
Laylee Burchell Mize
Joel Calhoun Hattiesburg
Kristina Carney Laurel
Jasmine Ducksworth Mendenhall
Vonda Dusek Petal
Linda Echenique Laurel
Laura Ellerman Hattiesburg
Malcolm Evans Hattiesburg
Jessica Fails Pulaski
Heather Gilkey Columbus
Ryjiah Gleghorn Prentiss
Jonathan Grubbs Magee
Jasmin Hamilton McComb
Ericka Hardy Monticello
Breanna Helms Hattiesburg
Harleigh Howell Ellisville
Keiera James Jackson
Lori Jones Hattiesburg
Kameron Keely Bay St. Louis
Hanah Lott Petal
Mariyah Mannie Hattiesburg
Shelli Mullins Taylorsville
Madison Odom Ellisville
Olevia Page Laurel
Patience Pounds Leakesville
Carly Rainey Hattiesburg
Kaitlin Salvaggio Hattiesburg
Dallis Scruggs Sumrall
Kristen Shelby Hattiesburg
Sarah Sherman New Hebron
Morgan Shows Richton
Hannah Smith Heidelberg
LaRaven Stapleton Brandon
Dalton Sumrall Moselle
Tyler Ulmer Bay Springs
Kaelin Vegas Columbia
Regan Wilder Hattiesburg
McKenzie Willis Hattiesburg
MageeNews.com is an online news source covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
