Southwest Virginia Community College recently held its second Practical Nursing Pinning and Award Ceremony at the SwVCC King Center, on the college’s campus. Graduates of the program this year are: Rena Fields, Aleshia Fields, Amy Ramey, Roxanna Musick, Katie Crotchett, Ashley Hackney, Kim Smith, Myra Jackson, Sirena Camper, Melissa VanDyke, Stephanie Owens, Kristie Charles, Rebecca Johnson, and Tammy Taylor.
Southwest’s president, Dr. J. Mark Estepp addressed the class. Rena Fields was awarded the academic achievement award for the highest grade point average in the class. The Florence Nightingale Award for dedication to nursing and clinical achievement went to Kim Smith. Tammy Taylor received the Faculty Elect Clinical Achievement Award for performance in a clinical setting.
The Practical Nursing program offers its classes at night on SwVCC’s main campus and its Grundy Plaza location. The clinical portion of the program is offered on weekends to appeal to working adults that cannot enroll in a daytime program. “This program allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). I would never have been able to enroll in a daytime program because of my work schedule,” said Kim Smith, who graduated from the program and has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for almost 28 years.
“With students taking classes throughout the summer, spring, and fall semesters, they are able to complete the program in 12 months. This is good for students who need to get this training quickly and get back into the workforce,” said Sherrie Phillips, director of the LPN program.
Sirena Camper, a graduate of the program, said, “Nursing is the only thing I could see myself doing. I was first a phlebotomist and then I became a certified nurse aide (CNA), becoming a LPN seemed like the next logical step. As I was working full-time there was absolutely no way I could take classes in the program during the day. I chose the night program because the convenient times that classes were offered worked for me. Everything about the program was good. Both instructors (Sherrie Phillips and Orpha Woods) were excellent,” said Camper.
The program requires 48 credit hours or 15 classes including clinicals. Students in the program understand that undertaking the program involves an enormous time commitment. Classes are held three nights a week with eight (8) hour labs and 12-hour clinical rotations on the weekend. “It requires a lot of dedication and hard work. My husband has helped me tremendously around the house,” said Sirena Camper.
Phillips says that one of the most important factors in getting accepted into the program is to complete the appropriate prerequisite classes. Prerequisite classes are courses that a student is required to take before they can be accepted into the program. “Many students need prerequisites to get into the Practical Nursing program. I advise students to come to the college as soon as possible to apply to the college and begin taking the classes that they need,” she said.
According to Phillips, students need to have high school algebra and biology with lab and earn a “C’ average or above to be considered for the program. For students who do not meet the prerequisites, SwVCC is offering (BIO 20) Introduction to Human Systems on Thursday mornings this fall semester from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the lab offered from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Introduction to Human Systems is only offered in the fall semester. However, students may substitute General Biology (BIO 101) which is offered at night and at many off-campus locations. Algebra (MTH 03) is offered at both on-campus and off-campus and at night.
The Practical Nursing Program is accepting applications for the Summer 2008 class through January 15th, 2008. Applications are available through the SwVCC Admissions Office. For more information about the program contact Sherrie Phillips at 276.935.7748 or at 276.964.7439.