Melfa, VA – Eastern Shore Community College held a Pinning Ceremony for practical nursing program graduates August 9 in the college’s Workforce Development Center.  The guest speaker was Jeannette Edwards, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc.  Clinical instructors, Peggy Bennett, RN, BSN, MEd, and Nancy Schwartz, RN, presented a pin to each graduate and conducted the candle lighting ceremony.

Linda Pruitt, RN, BSN, MS, presented special awards to graduating students.  Recognized for academic achievement with the highest grade point average were Amanda Thomas and Stephanie Carlton. Nicole Crockett and Meagan Billman Were recognized for being the best clinical bedside nurses.

Ida Zuniga, representing the family of Anne Craft, also made a special presentation to Craft-Crumb Scholarship recipients, Amanda Thomas and  Brittany Ofano.  The Craft-Crumb Scholarship was established by the family of Anne Craft and is awarded to Accomack County practical nursing students who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.

The Practical Nursing graduating class included: Amy Amadeo, Meagan Billman, Rachael Blomquist, Stephanie Carlton, Carrie Crockett, Nicole Crockett, , Vycki Midgette, Nicole Purnell, Brittany Ofano, Morgan Parker, and Amanda Thomas.

The graduates are now eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) leading to licensure as a practical nurse.

The college’s Practical Nursing Program, originally Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital Practical Nursing Program, was formed in 1956 as a joint effort of Northampton County Schools, Accomack County Schools and the Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital. The program became the Shore Memorial Hospital Practical Nursing Program when NAM Hospital was renamed. In 2007 Eastern Shore Community College began a certificate program in Practical Nursing.   Shore Health Services/and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital remain key partners in the Practical Nursing program as primary clinical sites for students clinical care experiences. The ESCC PN program received full approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing in February 2012.

The three-semester certificate program is designed to prepare beginning practitioners for a career as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) with the knowledge and skills to care for clients of all age groups and function as contributing members of the health care team in a variety of health service facilities.

In addition to the College general admission requirements, minimum standards for entry into the PN program include:  the completion of a PN pre-admission exam with an acceptable score, have a current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level, the completion of a criminal background check, and the completion of a physical examination.

Additional information and an application form are available at es.vccs.edu, or by contacting Linda Pruitt at 757-789-1772.