Otero Junior College will award 26 certificates of Practical Nursing in ceremonies on Sunday, July 19. To honor the accomplishment, students will participate in a traditional nurse pinning ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Ed Stafford Theatre, located in the Humanities Center on the OJC campus. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony. Keynote speaker for the ceremony will be Jackye Johnson RNC MSN, nursing faculty member at OJC.
Students completing the Practical Nursing certificate program are enrolled in a unique program that allows them more flexibility with their schedules. They are the fifth group of students to complete the Non-Traditional Evening and Weekend (NEW) Practical Nurse certificate program since it began in 2004.
Otero Junior College developed this innovative nursing program in 2004 to help with the nursing shortage by offering classes outside of a traditional daytime schedule. Touted as one of the most innovative programs in the state of Colorado, the program provides an educational opportunity to students who cannot attend college full-time.
The program is offered for both practical nursing students (LPN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (RN) students. According to Denise Root, director of the OJC Nursing Program, the NEW program follows the same format and curriculum as the full-time program. “The two programs are identical, except for the time frame that classes are offered. NEW students take only one class at a time. They attend lecture on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and participate in labs and have their clinical experience on weekends,” explained Root.
Students being awarded Practical Nursing certificates on July 19 have completed one full year of study in addition to completing related course work prior to admission into the nursing program. Successful completion of the Practical Nursing program will allow the graduate to submit an application to the State Board of Nursing for the State Licensure Examination. Upon passing the state exam, graduates will receive the distinction of being a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The majority of the students plan to continue with their education and complete the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree to become Registered Nurses.
Student who will go through the Practical Nurse pinning ceremony on July 19 include:
Sarah Brandt, Woodland Park; Krystle Campbell, Lamar; Tina Clarke, Westcliffe; Lawrence Cowan, Pueblo; Kathy Cranson, La Junta; Ronette Encinias, Rocky Ford; Hope Gonzales, Ordway; Lorelei Jimenez, Pueblo; Kassandra Johannes, La Junta; Britany Keen, Fowler; John Keith Root, La Junta; Missy King, La Junta; Robert Kohler, Colorado Springs; Gloria Martinez, La Junta; Sherry Morrell, Pueblo West; Seonie Paintin, Wiley; Jessica Rebel, La Junta; Ana Ross, Fowler; Dana Roybal, La Junta; Kim Schroeder, Rocky Ford; Kelly Sharp, Gardner; Jennifer Sokol, Colorado Springs; Luanna Tapia, Pueblo; Deb Wells, Avondale; Mary Winning, Pueblo West; and Faye Zerrudo, Pueblo.
