Blackstone Valley Tech Post-Secondary Practical Nursing Class of 2015 – Graduation marks major step toward careers in healthcare
UPTON – As parents, children, family, and friends looked on with pride, the Blackstone Valley Tech Post-Secondary Practical Nursing Class of 2015 celebrated its graduation on January 14, 2015.
A diverse group of twenty-one adult students took part in the commencement ceremony, which marked the culmination of over one thousand hours of instruction and more than one year spent balancing responsibilities to family, work, and school. Members of the Class of 2015, including six Valley Tech alumni, received their certification in practical nursing and became eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (N-CLEX), which is the final step in becoming a licensed practical nurse in the United States.
Words of wisdom, praise, and encouragement were offered to the graduates by several guest speakers, including Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick.
“Like an Eagle Scout, Valley Tech has earned a reputation for giving back to the community which it serves,” Fitzpatrick commented. “Preparing a cadre of skilled nursing candidates is an excellent method of demonstrating our commitment to assisting others.”
The Class of 2015 was the first to graduate under the leadership of Valley Tech Practical Nursing Coordinator Joann Monks, MBA, MSc, RN-BC, RMA, who praised the students for stepping onto a new career pathway.
“This was a proud moment for all,” Monks said. “The decision to obtain a Practical Nursing Certificate is a very significant career choice and not one to be taken lightly. We congratulate our graduates on their hard work and dedication.”
The BVT Post-Secondary Practical Nursing Class of 2015 included the following dedicated individuals:
Upton
Melanie Eugster.
Bellingham
Deborah Bigelow.
Blackstone
Alicia Chubkal; Michelle Werner.
Grafton
Malissa Osterman.
Milford
Maycon Cordeiro; Mario Muto; Courtney Theberge.
Millbury
Selia Cox; Matthew Richards.
Millville
Dawn Lavallee.
Northbridge
Holly Burgess; Shana Fitzgerald; Kerri-Lynn Marchand; Christine Mathis; Britteny Naughton; Jennifer Yates.
Shrewsbury
Debra Kelley.
Uxbridge
Rebecca Russ; Crystal Tardie; Alyssa Valle.
The BVT Post-Secondary Practical Nursing program was established in 2009 to provide adults in the Blackstone Valley the life-changing opportunity to pursue a career in healthcare. The program has the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and provides 1090 hours of instruction, with a minimum of 945 hours of nursing courses, 540 of which are clinical practice. A total of 90 adult students have graduated from the program.
Applications are currently being accepted for classes starting August 2015. To learn more about the BVT Post-Secondary Practical Nursing program, please contact:
Joann Monks, MBA, MSc, RN-BC, RMA
Practical Nursing Coordinator
(508)529-7758 at extension 3122
Details are also available at www.valleytech.k12.ma.us
UPTON DAILY 