photo by Steve VanGunda

Graduates applaud during the nursing school’s ceremony in Lorman Thursday afternoon.

Nursing students graduate from Alcorn

By Mary Hood (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, May 9, 2008

LORMAN — Alcorn State University’s 109 nursing students were proudly pinned Thursday afternoon, signifying their graduation from nursing school.

The pinning ceremony for nursing graduates has been a tradition at Alcorn since 1979. Debra McDonough, interim chair for the Department of Baccalaureate Nursing, said the pins are unique to the program at Alcorn.

“The pin symbolizes the right to serve,” she said.

From start to finish, the nursing students worked diligently to earn the right to be pinned and to step out into the world as a nurse.

Carolyn Dollar, interim dean for the school of nursing, elaborated on the difficulty of nursing school.

Photo by Steve VanGunda

Alcorn State University President George Ross gives a greeting during the School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony. Inset, graduates applaud during the nursing school’s ceremony in Lorman Thursday afternoon.

“This is a road that has not been easy to travel,” Dollar said. “Going to nursing school is not like going to a party school.”

She said the profession of nursing is one of the top five trusted professions in the United States.

“Some say it’s No. 1,” she said.

“Let integrity be your guiding star. When we have integrity, people will trust us with good reason.”

She advised the graduates to be caring and to be industrious.

“Be present in the moment,” she said. “Nursing is very difficult. When you take care of people and their lives are in your hands you must stay focused.”

Napoleon Moses, vice president for academic affairs, said the graduates represent Alcorn, and Alcorn represents the graduates.

“People tend to expect more from you just because you’re from Alcorn State University,” Moses said.

He said nurses play such a pivotal role in his life and recounted the time his child was first handed to him — by a nurse. He also said the person who took care of his dying parent in the final days was a nurse.

“Nurses are the sunrises and sunsets of our lives,” Moses said.

Lisa Flattmann, an associate nursing degree graduate, gave her reflections on her time spent in nursing school.

“Nursing school showed us what we’re made of to the very core of our existence,” she said. “Nursing school changes you, challenges you, it encompasses you, it inspires you.”

Jason Hayes, a baccalaureate nursing graduate, said the journey was difficult but amazing.

“I have never had so much fun doing something so hard,” Hayes said. “Each and everyone of you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

The speaker was Frances Henderson, consultant and dean emeritus, and she encouraged each graduate to truly enjoy their jobs.

“Enjoying nursing allows you to cope with the mountains of stress,” she said.

That enjoyment will lead to success and career vitality, she said.

Graduate Kristen Allen said she was excited to have graduated.

“I feel great,” she said. “I’ve been waiting on this for awhile.”

Graduate John Coleman breathed a sigh of relief after he was pinned.

“This is a feeling of relief that you can’t even imagine,” he said. “It’s one of those things that’s hard to describe.”