By Laura O’Neill.

Pearl River Community College recognized 43 Practical Nursing graduates at a pinning ceremony at the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts. Students were from the night and weekend programs held on the Forrest County, Hancock, and Poplarville campuses.

Graduates were greeted by PRCC Dean of Career and Technical Instruction Dr. David Collum with words of congratulation for their accomplishments on behalf of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.

“It is my joy to welcome you all here on behalf of our President, Dr. Adam Breerwood, and our Board of Trustees to celebrate the success of these students,” Collum said. “Nursing is difficult. In those times, think back to your instructors, family, and friends who supported you, and find the grit and resilience that got you through nursing school.”

Prior to the evening, each student wrote out a dedication card expressing gratitude for those who helped them on the journey to becoming an LPN. These were then read aloud while they approached their instructors and received their pin.

Poplarville Campus: Tierren Blakely (Leakesville), Kwisheena Crisler (Byram), Ariyanna Fleming (Bogalusa, LA), Terrianna Hartfield (Petal), and Keairra Sims (Gulfport).

Hancock Campus: Janay Adams (Ocean Springs), Courtney Cassell (Kiln), Brandi Cathcart (Picayune), Laporsha Cunningham (Gulfport), Cindy Emch (Saucier), Deerica Gallion (Gulfport), Lauren LaFontaine (Bay Saint Louis), Areccia McClelland (Biloxi), Saralynn Ryan (Gautier), Brianna Safford (Gulfport), and Anai Snell (Biloxi).

Forrest County Campus: Endia Badon (Tylertown), Keidran Beard (Tylertown), Denisha Bell (Tylertown), Mallory Blunt (Hattiesburg), Alayna Bridges (Hattiesburg), Tamara Carney (Collins), Jessie Carter (Hattiesburg), Jason Gaines (Hattiesburg), Erica Graham (Hattiesburg), Shameka Hamilton Knight (Hattiesburg), Brittani Hartfield (Purvis), Leighhonna Lammers (Sumrall), Hailey Lawrence (Magee), April Lee (Petal), Tonya Leflore (Hattiesburg), Quameisha Moffett (Tylertown), Ja’Lexia Oatis (Prentiss), Nakita Rankin (Hattiesburg), Bobby Robertson (Hattiesburg), Tammy Robinson (Clinton), Amber Shaw (Jackson), Jaleesa Shipp (Laurel), Kiarria Smith (Petal), Amber Travis (Hattiesburg), Khiandra Vaughn (Hattiesburg), James Whitehead (Hattiesburg), and Jasarian Young (Ocean Springs).

LPN Program Options and How to Apply

The Practical Nursing program is available for full-time students during the day at the Forrest County and Poplarville Campuses. An evening/weekend option is available at all three campuses (Forrest County, Hancock, and Poplarville.) Full-time students complete the program in three semesters (one year) while part-time students take five semesters to finish.

Prospective students must first meet all PRCC admission requirements before completing the Practical Nursing application. Applicants must also take the TEAS Test completed through ATI Testing. The deadline to apply to ANY option is March 1.

Photography by Rudy Melancon.