ECC LPN to RN Bridge Students Recognized With Awards
Three East Central College Rolla nursing graduates were recognized for outstanding work in clinicals and in the classroom.
Kathrine Crider, Jessica Veloz and Brianna Courtney each were recognized Dec. 12 during a pinning ceremony for LPN to RN Bridge graduates.
There were 11 nursing graduates taking part in the pinning ceremony, which is held to recognize licensed practical nurses who continued their education to become registered nurses:
Stevie German, Shelly Gibson, Tina Feth, Jessica Veloz, Amy Hiatt, Kathrine Crider, Shelby Marler, Brianna Courtney, Emily Chastain, Tara Smith and Tanya Bausch.
Outstanding Student Nurse
Kathrine Crider received the ECC Outstanding Student Nurse award. 
“She is an extraordinary person who is organized, determined, efficient, and well rounded. She is willing to adapt and jump into new learning experiences and push herself to have clinical experiences that are different than was she is used to,” Crider’s nomination read.
“She seeks out learning experiences that will help her grow and succeed in the field of nursing. She is highly successful in the clinical setting. She is a phenomenal addition to this clinical rotation and is always willing to ask questions to improve her learning.
“She is kind and willing to help a fellow student when needed. For these reasons and many more, this student will succeed and be a wonderful asset to the profession of nursing.”
To be considered for the Outstanding Nursing Student award, ECC has had to make a significant difference in the life of the student.
Spirit of Clinical Excellence
The awards for Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing are presented to graduating nurses who demonstrate characteristics of caring and compassion, the spirit of inquiry, exceptional critical thinking and decision making and have superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.
MoBap Spirit of Excellence 
Brianna Courtney received the Missouri Baptist Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award because she is a great example of a compassionate nurse both in the classroom and clinical setting.
“She has excelled with showing care and compassion from day one. She has incredible critical thinking and is able to successfully prioritize all the many demands of life and nursing school,” her nomination read.
“This student was great to work with and is very eager to learn and doesn’t shy away from the new or intimidating stuff. This student was very comfortable at the bedside and took great care when communicating with patients. For these reasons and for many more there is no question that this student will make an excellent RN and be a lovely addition to any nursing unit.”
Phelps Spirit 
of Excellence
Jessica Veloz is the recipient of the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award due to her compassion, commitment, eagerness, and integrity to the profession of nursing.
“She is quietly assertive and develops a rapport with her patients, their families, and the staff making sure that their needs were met. She did not shy away from challenges, but rather exceled when the opportunities arose,” states her nomination form.
“She has displayed an abundance of compassion and patient- centered care in all areas of clinical rotations. She is dedicated to quality, and safe patient care, and insists on the patients receiving this. She does a great job with putting knowledge into clinical practice and she is a good team player. Her kind, positive attitude, desire to seek out learning experiences, and following protocol are great attributes that she possesses.”
To learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/nursing/, or contact Nancy Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.
Back row, from left, are Nancy Mitchell, Dean of Health Sciences & Director of Nursing, Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing coordinator, Stevie German, Shelly Gibson, Tina Feth, Jessica Veloz, Amy Hiatt, and Julie Chirban, LPN to RN Bridge instructor. Front row., from left, are Lavonda Lawson, Rolla administrative assistant, Kathrine Crider, Shelby Marler, Brianna Courtney, Emily Chastain, Tara Smith, Tanya Bausch, Trista Elias, nursing faculty.