55th Class of Nursing Graduates Recognized During Central Arizona College Nursing Pinning Ceremony
By Angela Askey, Executive Director of Public Relations & Marketing
Thirty Central Arizona College students were recognized for completing the college’s nursing program during the 55th Nursing Division Pinning Ceremony held at the Signal Peak Campus on December 14.
The pinning ceremony, a time-honored tradition of nursing schools across the country, signifies a student’s completion of one of the most challenging curricula offered in higher education.
CAC President, Dr. Jackie Elliott provided a warm welcome and Dr. Tina Berry, Director of Nursing, addressed the graduates.
Dr. Berry explained an environment of trust applies to the professional responsibilities of a nurse stating, “Graduates, you will be able to be a part of someone’s life who does not know you, but who has to trust you to become well.” She discussed eight characteristics, from David Horsager’s book The Trust Edge that will help them earn the trust of patients and colleagues they work with; clarity, compassion, character, competency, commitment, connection, contribution and consistency.
Once the graduates received their pins, class speaker Tracy Rascon thanked the nursing faculty for their leadership, role modeling and support. She explained that each of the graduates on stage has an “immeasurable calling to help other people in their time of need” and reminded her peers to take pride in how far they have come and have faith in how far they will go.
Valorie Wilson was recognized with the Leadership Award and Ana Zaragoza earned the program’s Academician Award.
CAC Nursing Club (CASNA) officers who received a certificate of appreciation and cord include Felicity Ellis, Membership Director and Secretary; Sara Hammer, Treasurer and President; Krista Loewenhagen, Vice President, and Tracy Rascon, Fundraiser and Vice President.
The evening concluded with a candle lighting ceremony and the graduates taking the Florence Nightingale Pledge. The pledge, an adaption of the physician’s Hippocratic Oath, was written in 1893 by Mrs. Lystra E. Gretter and the Farrand Training School for Nurses in Detroit.
The following students received their pins during the ceremony and will receive an associate of applied science degree:
Michael Behrens
Alexandria Bratset
Wendy Canlas
Shannon Cheetham
Elizabeth Cuellar-Torres
Renee Davis
Lisabel de Anda
Megan East
Felicity Ellis
Lluvia Felix
Lourdes Gonzalez
Bonna Hamilton
Sara Hammer
Tiffany Landis
Crystal Leija
Krista Loewenhagen
Ana Lovelace
Vanessa Martinez
Kristie Moncada
Meagan Neary
Angela O’Haver
Aaron Perez
Sandra Portillo
Mary Rae
Tracy Rascon
Nicole Townsend
Nancy Tran
Julie Waters
Valorie Wilson
Ana Zaragoza