Carrie Ward, left of Hartselle, Jay Terry of Cullman and Andrew Smith of Trussville were recognized as Nightingale Award winners during the May 10 Pinning Ceremony for Associate Degree Nursing students at Wallace State Community College.
HANCEVILLE – The Wallace State Community College Department of Nursing pinned more than 75 students during its recent ceremony for Associate Degree Nursing candidates, recognizing three students with the coveted Nightingale Award.
Carrie Leighann Ward of Hartselle, Jay Benjamin Terry of Cullman and Andrew Dalton Smith of Trussville were each presented with the Nightingale Award, which is given to students in recognition for their commitment to excellence in scholarship and dedication to compassion and exemplary patient care. Other nominees were Angela Nichole Fowler of Eva, Logan Brooke Gibbs of Arab, Kelly Bree Hogeland and Erin Kaye Langham, both of Bremen, Brittany Nicole Otts of Hayden and Ashley Nicole Vest of Hartselle. The nominees and winners are selected by the Wallace State faculty.
In comments about the winners, Ward was noted as being “genuine and works well with others on campus and in the clinical arena,” Deborah “Pepper” Hoover, director of the WSCC Nursing program, said. “This individual has excelled in every clinical environment and the staff have been heard to say that this person will be a great nurse. This individual shows compassion and caring in all arenas. In addition, this person has juggled family life with three young children under six while maintaining a high GPA.”
Terry was said to have a very contagious smile and be a blessing to others. “This individual never meets a stranger in the clinical arena and puts faith in the forefront,” Hoover said, adding faculty said he was a pleasure to work with and that classmates credit him with motivating them to continue toward their goal.
Smith does not know the word “no,” Hoover said. “(He) has assisted with numerous new student orientations, family welcome days and even the conference center naming reception. Every clinical unit that has had contact with him would like to hire him.”
Vest, who served as the class president, congratulated her classmates and encouraged them to be the compassionate and caring nurses she’s come to know over the last two years.
“We all know nursing is a calling,” she said. “It’s not just a career. It’s not about a paycheck. At the end of the day, it’s about truly showing compassion and care for our patients as if they were our own family. This is what nursing is all about, and this is what our class exhibits.
“Without a doubt, the world is going to be a better place because of you and I’m truly blessed to be graduating with the best,” she added. “I wish you all the best of luck and remember when the excitement wears off and the days become hard, look at everything you’ve been through. Take pride in how far you’ve come and have faith in how far you can go.”
Wallace State’s Department of Nursing Education recently received reaffirmation of accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and is a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence.
For more information about the Wallace State Nursing program, visit www.wallacestate.edu/nursing or call 256-352-8199.
