NCC Holds Summer Health Sciences Graduation
“Thank you for joining us today to recognize the achievements of and to celebrate the start of the health care careers of our diploma graduates,” Nash Community College Director of Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy Nancy Worsinger told the audience during the Summer Health Sciences Recognition Ceremony. Students were honored for their completion of the academic and clinical work required to become Medical Assistants as determined by the American Association of Medical Assistants, or Practical Nurses as determined the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The graduates are eligible to take the state or national certification exam that will earn them the respective credentials.
“The work required for these diplomas is extensive. Since many of our students are non-traditional students – adults with families and part or full time jobs – time management skills are critical to success. I am continually in awe of what our students are able to balance. And for many, it is the support and understanding of family and friends that make their success possible,” Worsinger said.
The Medical Assistants represent the eighth class of diploma students to reach this milestone since the Nash Community College program began in 2007. The College developed the program in response to the needs of the surrounding health care community and since that time, the demand for qualified medical assistants has continued to grow. The National Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 29 percent increase in employment for medical assistants over the next 10 years and that has been reflected locally in the excellent job placement rate of NCC graduates.
The three-semester Practical Nursing diploma program prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide nursing care participating in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating. “Tonight is about more than the completion of courses and clinical hours. Receiving a pin that labels you as a Medical Assistant or Practical Nurse signifies that you are someone patients can put their trust in. Reciting a pledge to uphold that trust in the presence of faculty and family indicates that you take this responsibility seriously,” Worsinger said.
For more information about either program, please call 252-451-8383.
Medical Assisting graduates pictured on the front row, from left: Sharon Stokes of Spring Hope, Shelby Wall of Zebulon, Charise Bullock of Whitakers, Greyson Rizo of Rocky Mount and Kadesha Perry of Nashville. Back row: Jena Selner of Battleboro, Stephanie Gomez of Bailey, Teaqula Moore of Rocky Mount, Rebekah Rogers of Louisburg and Taylor Gutierrez of Rocky Mount. Not pictured: Crystal Turner of Enfield.
Licensed Practical Nursing graduates on the front row, from left: Heather Taylor of Middlesex, Courtney Barnes of Lucama, Kandace Summerlin of Nashville, Michelle Ramsey of Zebulon, Amanda Levinson of Zebulon and Monika Yarborough of Rocky Mount. Back row: Ashley Shearin of Rocky Mount, Bailee Richardson of Rocky Mount, Kaci Smith of Wilson, Kristina Cameron of Bailey, Heather Chapel of Rocky Mount, Mallory Edwards of Winterville and Vanessa Williams of Rocky Mount. Not pictured: Sara Fortenbury of Rocky Mount, Keshauna Braswell of Pinetops and Britiany Privette of Zebulon.
