MOULTRIE — On July 29, Southern Regional Technical College held a pinning ceremony at SRTC-Moultrie during which 11 Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Bridge students from the SRTC-Moultrie cohort. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations. This class of nursing students will officially be Registered Nurses (RN) pending the passage of their board exams.

The ASN-Bridge students receiving pins included three students from Tifton: Katherine Brey, Daisey Estrada and Shakina Fields.

During the pinning ceremony, which symbolizes the rite of passage into the nursing profession, students received a pin and a small lamp. The pin reminds students of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed. The lamp serves as a tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern-day nursing. In the nineteenth century, Nightingale was known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way.

At the ceremony, faculty members recognized several students for exceptional achievement during their time in the nursing program. Carlissia Gaines received the Clinical Excellence Award. This is a special award because their classmates vote on the recipient. This person has excellent bedside manner and great nursing skills. The student is a leader and is always willing to assist their classmates.

The Highest Exit Exam Award was given to Katherine Brey for scoring the highest on the exit exam on the first attempt.

SRTC’s ASN faculty recognized Ashley Paracca with the Nightingale Award. The ASN faculty established the Nightingale Award in recognition of an outstanding student who exemplifies the characteristics essential to the caring nature of nursing. The recipient is a person who always displays a positive attitude, is reflective of the college’s work ethic standards, epitomizes the carative nature of our profession, and consistently demonstrates gentleness, kindness, professionalism, and dedication.

Finally, Colquitt Regional Medical Center presented its Leadership Award to Katherine Brey for her exemplary leadership throughout the year and her positive attitude.

“Our 2024 Moultrie LPN-ASN Bridge graduates are truly something special. They’ve worked incredibly hard and it shows in their top-notch clinical skills. What sets them apart is how they blend compassion with expertise. As they start their careers, I’m confident that their patients will be in great hands with nurses who are both skilled and deeply committed to their well-being,” said SRTC’s ASN Faculty Megan Long MSN, RN.

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is designed to prepare students as entry-level practitioners to provide safe, effective nursing care and promote healthy transitions for diverse clients in a variety of settings. This program develops critical thinking, integrates accumulated knowledge from nursing, the sciences and humanities, and emphasizes the values of caring, accountability, responsibility and professional ethics. The SRTC ASN program has been granted approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.