NRCC News Releases

Sixteen NRCC students graduate from practical nursing program

Aug 03 2017

This is an archived article!

This article was published on Aug 03 2017 and was archived on Aug 04 2018. The information below may be outdated or inaccurate.

Practical nursing students — Front row from left – Kayla Marie Simpkins, Whitney Nicole Lumpp, Logan Nicole Helms, Brooke Michelle Elliott, Gianna Carmella Castellino, Melissa Minnick-NRCC assistant professor of practical nursing

Second row from left - Abigail Reed Clark, Brandi Jaleana Turman, Kelsey Ilene Griffitts, Deanna Michelle Farley, Amber Renee Akers

Third row from left - Haley Rebekkah Morris, Alexandra Cora Wright, Sydney Lynn Lafon, Kristen Songer Adkins, Denise Danielle Smith, Joy Renee Morgan

Sixteen New River Community College students have completed requirements for the three-semester practical nursing program at the college. They received certificates and their nursing pins in a ceremony on August 1.

Practical nursing graduates include: from Floyd County- Brandi Jaleana Turman, Willis; from Giles County-Haley Rebekkah Morris, Pembroke; from Montgomery County- Brooke Michelle Elliott, Christiansburg; Logan Nicole Helms, Christiansburg; Sydney Lynn Lafon, Blacksburg; Joy Renee Morgan, Christiansburg; Denise Danielle Smith, Shawsville; from Pulaski County-Kristen Songer Adkins, Fairlawn; Abigail Reed Clark, Pulaski; Kayla Marie Simpkins, Draper; Alexandra Cora Wright, Draper; from Radford- Amber Renee Akers, Gianna Carmella Castellino, Deanna Michelle Farley, Kelsey Ilene Griffitts; and from Washington , D.C.- Whitney Nicole Lumpp.

Logan Helms was chosen by her peers to give the graduation address. Also participating in the ceremony were Dr. Janice Shelton, dean of arts and sciences; Melissa Minnick, assistant professor of practical nursing; Dr. Lorrie Coe-Meade, nursing program director and Amy Watson, assistant professor of nursing. Ending the program, the Rev. Andrew Taylor-Troutman, pastor of New Dublin Presbyterian Church, led a Blessing of the Hands ceremony with nursing faculty and students to bring "healing and wholeness" to the nurse's touch.

NRCC's certificate program prepares students to qualify as contributing members of a health team, rendering patient care in a variety of health service facilities. These students are eligible to take the Virginia Board of Nursing examination leading to licensing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).