Tag: East Central College nursing students

Rolla and Union ECC nursing students posing on stairs for photo

ECC Nursing Program Celebrates 31 Graduates

May 20, 2024 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College celebrated the achievements of 31 graduates from its Nursing Program during a pinning ceremony on May 11. This time-honored event brought together graduates from the Union and Rolla campuses along with their families, friends, faculty, staff, and administration.

Highlighting the ceremony, five exceptional students were honored for their outstanding commitment and excellence both in the classroom and in clinical settings. The ECC Outstanding Nursing Students recognized were Bryan Lambeth from Rolla and Summer Fisher from Union. Additionally, the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards were presented to Josie Obermark (Mercy), Gracie Sohn (Missouri Baptist Sullivan), and Mary Romine (Phelps Health).

The pinning ceremony, a cherished tradition in nursing, symbolizes the transition from student to professional nurse. Each graduate received a unique ECC Nursing Program pin, marking their entry into the community of nursing professionals.

Dean of Health Science and Director of Nursing Nancy Mitchell commenced the ceremony with welcoming remarks, followed by an inspiring greeting from ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. Class of 2024 graduate Caitlyn Linders then delivered a warm student welcome.

The guest speaker, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Director of Nursing Excellence at Mercy Hospital Washington and former ECC nursing instructor, shared invaluable insights and encouragement with the graduates. The ceremony concluded with poignant remarks from 2024 graduate Bryan Lambeth and closing comments from ECC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robyn Walter.

The Nursing program graduates are:

Lori Anderson, Josie Obermark, Taryn Curtis, Michelle Parker, Emma Davis, Sarah Parker, Summer Fisher, David Pauly, Joey Guyton, Sarah Price, Dalton Halloran, Laura Roesner, Taylor Hanger, Mary Romine, Sophia Howell, Madelyn Ruszala, Allison Huddleston, Gracie Sohn, Gabriel Killian, Macie Steffens, Maria Krull, Claire Strubberg, Bryan Lambeth, Kalyn Thompson, Rebekah Lewis, Grace Turilli, Caitlyn Linders, Allison Wilson, Rachel Lottes, Ariana Young, and Shaniah Marlatt.

Nursing Awards

The ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award is given to those whose lives were significantly impacted by the college, often helping them realize their dreams of becoming nurses. These awardees have excelled in both academic and clinical settings.

Additionally, Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards were given by ECC’s healthcare partners: Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla, and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan. These awards honor graduates who demonstrate exceptional care, compassion, inquiry, critical thinking, and organizational skills.

ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla campuses presented the awards, recognizing the graduates’ dedication and achievements.

ECC instructors posing for photo with nursing student

ECC instructors posing for photo with nursing student Josie Mercy

ECC instructors posing for photo with outstanding nursing student

ECC instructors posing for photo with Missouri Baptist nursing student

Nursing Grads Presented with Awards at Pinning Ceremony

Six East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 13 for their hard work in the classroom and during clinicals.

Two students, Jozlyn Bolte, ECC-Rolla; and Kelsey Blackwell, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.

To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For some cases, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.

Jozlyn Bolte

Jozlyn Bolte is this year’s East Central College Rolla Outstanding Nursing Student. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Bolte, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Kelsey Blackwell

Nursing student Kelsey Blackwell is the recipient of the Union East Central College Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Blackwell, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.

Spirit of Excellence Awards

Four nursing students — Avery Akers, Nathaniel Wissman, Kelsea Smith and Kyleigh Payne — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

Akers received the Phelps Health award, Wissman received the Mercy award, and Smith and Payne each received a Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award from Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

Avery Akers

East Central College nursing Avery Akers received the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award this year. She is pictured with, from left, Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Kait Roy, Phelps Health nurse recruiter; Akers, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Kelsea Smith

The Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Rolla nursing student Kelsea Smith. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator; Smith, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Nathaniel Wissman

Nathaniel Wissman received the Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Wissman, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.

Kyleigh Payne

East Central College Union nursing student Kyleigh Payne is the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Payne, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant; and Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator.

ECC Nursing Graduates Presented with Awards

May 19, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Five East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 14 prior to the college’s commencement ceremony.

Two students, Tela Connors, ECC-Rolla; and Charlena Borges, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.

To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

Tela Connors

East Central College-Rolla Nursing program graduate Tela Connors was named an Outstanding Nursing Student for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Julie Chirban and Jonathan Elias; Connors and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely. The award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.

Charlena Borges

East Central College Union Nursing program graduate Charlena Borges is the recipient of an Outstanding Nursing Student award for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Borges, and nursing instructor and Union program coordinator Judy Bieker and nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer. Borges’ award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.

Spirit of Excellence Awards

Three nursing students — Kayce Boeding, Lyndsey Graczyk and James Johnson — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Boeding received the Phelps Health award, Graczyk received the Mercy award and Johnson received the Missouri Baptist Sullivan award.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

Lyndsey Graczyk

The Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Union nursing graduate Lyndsey Graczyk. From left, are ECC Union nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Graczyk, nursing instructor and Union Nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker; nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer; and Bethany Westlake, chief nurse officer at Mercy Washington.

Kayce Boeding

East Central College Rolla Nursing program graduate Kayce Boeding was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. From left, are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Julie Chirban; Boeding; ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Jonathan Elias and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely.

James Johnson

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing was given to East Central College Union Nursing program graduate James Johnson. From left are ECC Union nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer and nursing adjunct Heather Sluis, Johnson, Union nursing instructors Brittany Yoakum and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; and nursing instructor and Union nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker.

Nursing Student Changing Her Future

September 22, 2020 | Campus News

Elisha Griffith knew that one day she would become a nurse. In March 2018, she took the first step toward that goal at East Central College.

Griffith enrolled in a new partnership through the college’s Health Careers Workforce and the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program.

It was through this partnership that the Union resident could prepare for the High School Equivalency Test (HISET) and work toward her Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certificate.

She took the HISET prep courses through AEL at the same time she was enrolled in CNA courses, which allowed her to enter the nursing program earlier than she had expected.

“I always knew that I would go into the nursing field and I didn’t have any excuse this time not go back to school,” Griffith said. “I decided that being a professional waitress was not enough for me.”

Griffith added that she knew it was time to seize the opportunity — for herself and her children who range in age from 2 to 13.

“I wanted to make sure we would never struggle,” Griffith said. “I am trying to make a great life for these kids. That is my goal.”

The hybrid program is designed to prepare nurses to care for clients in long-term care facilities, hospitals and home health agencies. It consists of 75 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of supervised clinical training. It also includes 100 hours preparation for the high school equivalency exam.

Griffith completed the CNA program in July 2018 and passed the HISET, on her first try, in August 2018.

The AEL staff, she said, helped her every step of the way, adding that Betsy Williams, AEL instructor; Terri Warmack, Health Careers Workforce coordinator; and Alice Whalen, AEL director, were great instructors and mentors.

She also was named to the 2019 National Adult Education Honor Society, which measures dependability, work ethic and attitude along with grades.

“I may have started late but I am determined, and I have been going strong every since,” Griffith said.

Soon after completing the CNA program, Griffith began working at St. Clair Nursing Center where she takes care of residents and assists with daily activities. A new career that she loves.

Continuing Education

But Griffith didn’t stop her education with a CNA certificate. Soon after completing the program at ECC, she enrolled in the Four Rivers Career Center Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program.

She said it was an intense two-year program, but she persevered and took the completion exam July 9.

Griffith still is awaiting the results of the LPN exam before she can enroll in the LPN to RN (Registered Nurse) Bridge program at ECC Rolla.

The Bridge program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing.

It is designed for licensed practicing nurses to complete the RN classes in a format that specifically meets their schedules, including evening and every-other-weekend formats.

Griffith said she still needs a few prerequisites for the Bridge program, but she enjoys the coursework and she is ready to continue learning.

In addition to forging her own future, Griffith also recruited a cousin to the AEL/CNA program.

“She wants to get into the health field, so I got her in touch with Betsy (Williams),” she commented. “Now I will encourage and support her.”

Programs

According to Whalen, the AEL/CNA partnership program is offered on a case-by-case basis, depending on interest. She added that students must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the program.

To learn more about ECC’s CNA program people may call Warmack at 636-584-6531, or email Terri.Warmack@EastCentral.edu.

To learn about the AEL program and the HISET prep exam, visit www.eastcentral.edu/ael or call 636-584-6533.

For more information about ECC’s nursing programs, including the LPN to RN Bridge, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/allied-health/nursing/.