The Fall 2015 Practical Nursing program held orientation for 67 students on August 20 & 21st. Dr. Turner, President, provided an update on the expected day of completion of the new Health/Science Complex. A slideshow took students inside the building to view the classrooms and simulation lab. The simulation lab includes a fully simulated birthing suite, maternal birthing bed, and a state-of-the-art thermal nursery warmer. Mrs. Hankins stated that the simulation lab is \”comparable to any university sim lab.\”
Faculty shared their nursing specialty experience, personal educational journey, and lessons learned with students. Mrs. Stroud, Nursing II instructor, shared her experiences as a beginning nurse and stressed the importance of the foundational knowledge and skills provided in a practical nursing curriculum. An orientation for students at major clinical sites was held earlier in the week.
Tonya Hankins, Director of Practical Nursing, explained that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of LPNs to grow 25% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Hankins stated that the job market continues strong in the BRTC service area. She noted that the BRTC graduates continue to experience much success with job placement with approximately 60% accepting positions prior to graduation and a total of 95% within 3 months of graduation.
Photo: Front: Terri Langston, Tiffany Gugle, Tahnee Green, Tonya Hankins, Ramonda Housh, Jennifer Hibbard, Wendy Ward
Back: Shea Samons, Nancy Felts, Sandy Green, Bridgette Kasinger, Kara Malin, Kelsie Jones, Dana Clay, Tina Stroud, Hannah Cagle