NGTC’s first group of ASN Cohorts on their last day of class, May 6, 2015. (Photo/NGTC)
On August 12, 2013 a total of thirty men and women accepted to the newly established Associate of Science in Nursing program at North Georgia Technical College arrived on the Clarkesville Campus to begin their orientation as the first students in the new program. Nearly two years later, twenty-nine completed all of their courses and received the pin signifying entry into their chosen profession.
“What an evening for this history-making group,” said President Dr. Gail Thaxton as she addressed a packed house of family and friends assembled in the Clegg Auditorium. “Students, you are a dream come true. The planning for this day began in 2010, and now here we are, celebrating your accomplishments. You are about to start something exciting and new and we all know you can take whatever is before you because you persisted and completed this incredibly rigorous program.”
The ASN program offers graduates a direct path to becoming a Registered Nurse, projected to be one of the two occupations with the highest growth rate in Georgia and among occupations with the most annual openings in North Georgia.
“You all embody the values of nursing: perseverance, generosity, humor, dedication, and compassion,” said Nursing Class President Chris Carroll. “We all owe a great debt to our family and friends who stood behind us and to our instructors who stood beside us. From the bottom of our hearths, we thank you for giving us your best.”
During the ceremony, three special awards were given. Megan Shanahan received the Overcomer Award, Rebecca Seabolt received the Encourager Award, and Tammy Smith received the Heart of Nursing Award. Each of these were awarded based on votes by the students. Finally, the instructors selected Nathan Snider to receive the first Florence Nightingale Award.
“These students have risen above numerous obstacles and challenges,” said Instructor Chanda Gastley. “They all performed well during their leadership clinicals and I received terrific feedback about each one. I can see great things happening because of their dedication to this profession.”
Each student was called forward and cherished family members or friends were given the honor of pinning their graduate.
From Habersham County, those receiving their pins included Autumn Thompson of Mt. Airy who was pinned by her Aunt Janie and Uncle Jerry Herrman; Meagan Shanahan of Demorest who was pinned by her daughters, Abby and Ally; Andrea DuBois of Cornelia who was pinned by her husband, Toby; Cynthia Martinez of Cornelia who was pinned by her son, Shannon; Chris Carroll of Clarkesville who was pinned by his parents Donald and Sharon Carroll; Hanna Collins of Clarkesville who was pinned by her mother, Carol, and her grandmother, Mildred; Katherine (Alexis) Mizell of Clarkesville who was pinned by her son, Adrien; and Nathan Snider of Clarkesville who was pinned by his wife, Nina.
NGTC’s desire to implement the degree program was a direct result of growing student demand for allied health training, job availability and projected job growth. NGTC received overwhelming support from key healthcare providers within the 8-county service area to begin the program and has since received approval to expand the offering to the Blairsville Campus. The ASN program provides a strong foundation in the practice of nursing and prepares students to function within the framework of the registered nurse role.
