Class of 2024 Nursing Students Celebrate with Friends and Family

Beaufort County Community College congratulates the 34 students who graduated from the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. Since the beginning of the program at the college, nursing students hold a separate pinning ceremony. This year, the ceremony was held on campus is the Charles O. Boyette Conference Center on May 9, the day preceding graduation. As part of a tradition started in 2022, graduates were pinned by family members or friends.

The ADN graduates finished a five-semester program, including clinical experience in hospitals. Clinical rotations can involve 12-hour shifts, on top of studying for exams and taking classes. Students are trained in general nursing, long-term care, home health, medical surgical nursing, and intermediate and intensive care.

Of the graduating class, 15 were part of the Beaufort County Association of Nursing Students (BCANS), a professional organization that also gives back to the community through service projects. These commitments, in addition to the long hours of study and clinical rotations, show the dedication of this class to their community and profession.

Molly Wells, lead nursing instructor, announced the winner of the Academic Excellence Award, Katie Godley, who earned the highest grade point average (GPA) of the class. Wells also presented the DAISY Award for Exceptional Nursing Students to graduates for their delivery of clinical care in an extraordinary and compassionate way to patients and their families as they are learning. Presented through the DAISY Foundation, and in collaboration with ECU Health, these students get hand-carved stone sculptures and have their name placed on a national list of recipients. Wells presented Brandy Bowie and Jessica Taylor with the awards.

During her clinical experience, a family member of a patient called ECU Health to praise Brandy Bowie for the wonderful care she provided to her husband, including being able to draw blood when other nurses could not and wonderful bedside manners. During a training experience with first-year nursing students, Jessica Taylor found out that a first-year student was sent into the wrong patient’s room, so she patiently worked with the student on how to prevent such situations. She also advocated for a patient who was getting the wrong diet during their treatment.

This graduating class also had four students who had previous training as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or higher. Brandy Bowie, Katie Godley, Cierra Linton, and Jessica Taylor all hold at least EMT basic certifications, with three of them earning it through the college.

As part of a new tradition started in 2022, each graduate invited a person of their choice on stage to pin them, with graduates joining spouses, parents, and friends on stage.

The Class of 2024 included Heba Alsudani, Tiffany Ange, Ashley Bell, Kimberly Benitez, Brandy Bowie, Walker Bowling, LaShona DuBose, Itzel Escamilla Trejo, Cherissa Foreman, Geri Foreman, Katie Godley, Shelby Howard, Ashley Hundley, Shonita Johnson, Emily Joyner, Dayla LeNeave, Allison Lepkowski, Cierra Linton, Ashtyn McMullen, Meads, Rylee Midyette, Landyn Mincey, Shelby Molusky, Mary Osborn, Ashleigh Phelps, Sierra Ramirez, Erin Shanno, Amahja St. Clair, Jessica Taylor, Oscar Valenzuela Morales, Aubrie Ashlyn Walker, Mya Wilder, Amelia Woolard, and Lindsey Nicole Woolard.

ADN students graduating from the program must pass the nursing board exam (NCLEX) before being employed. Every student in the graduating class has accepted a position with a hospital or healthcare provider, with 18 students committed to working with ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, and seven students committed to working with ECU Health Beaufort.

Beaufort CCC congratulates them and thanks them for their commitment to the health of our community. The application period for the ADN program will open on September 1 for students starting in the program in the Fall 2025 semester.