by ReAnne Palmer/ Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, Ill. (July 13, 2017) – A handful of Rend Lake College students finished a year-long journey through the Practical Nursing program yesterday with a pinning ceremony in front of friends and family. The event was a symbolic welcoming of the students into the nursing profession.

After Nursing Director Nancy Buttry opened the ceremony in the Private Dining Area and welcomed everyone in attendance, Alison Clarke of Waltonville spoke on behalf of her class. She said the decision to come back to nursing school was a hard one to make, but worthwhile.

“I debated whether I wanted to do [practical nursing] and last minute felt like it was a good choice to make. After the first day of class, I was 100 percent sure it was a great decision,” said Clarke. “Thank you so much to Lynn (Salesberry, Nursing Instructor) for putting in your time, patience, and energy, and for always being supportive. Our confidence levels have increased by far from where we came.”

Clarke ended her speech with a quote from Maya Angelou to sum up her hopes for all 16 graduates: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Afterward, Salesberry presented the pins to each individual student and lead the group in the Nightingale Pledge, an oath recited by nurses to uphold specific ethical standards, which is named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

In closing, Buttry took to the podium again to challenge the students to maintain those ethical standards only just mentioned moments before.

“It’s important to remember how the public sees nurses. Since 1999 when the Gallup Poll added nurses to the list of professions they evaluate for ethics and honesty, nursing has been number one, except for one year,” said Buttry. “That’s a real challenge for nurses to continue to uphold. This trust is something we must continue to work for every day. That’s my challenge to you as you go forward.”

Buttry also expressed her hopes that each student pass their upcoming nursing exam and thanked family and friends in the audience for their support for each student.

She continued, “It’s always important to say, talking for the students but also for myself, we are thankful to the family and friends who support these students through their education. It’s not easy to come to nursing school with the long hours that are needed and the getting up early and all of the studying. It is a challenge, and sometimes it’s very stressful. We appreciate that you’ve done that for them this far, and we hope you’ll continue to support them in the future as they move forward with their education.”

A reception was held after the ceremony concluded. To learn more about RLC’s Practical Nursing program, visit www.rlc.edu/allied-health/nursing.

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http://q985online.com/the-secret-tax-in-the-illinois-budget-no-one-is-talking-about/?trackback=fbshare_mobile_top&trackback=tsmclip

SPRINGFIELD, IL – NOTE:  This morning, as I was scrolling through social media, I have read through several different stories of how there are several “surprises” in Speaker of the House Mike Madigan’s of over six hundred pages of amendments to Senate Bill 9.

Not only will the next paycheck shrink, it will eventually cost you more when you fill up.

Please click on the link above from a story from a Rockford radio station that will discuss the $.05 per gallon wholesale gas tax increase. -Steve

 

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/new-assistant-principal-to-prepare-grads-for-career/article_913002dc-671e-11e7-8a28-b7ab5796ade8.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Tim Hastings, West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Frankfort Community High School’s (FCHS) new Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Jory Dial says he wants to help students prepare for life beyond the classroom.

“As assistant principal I hope to set a standard for students to be prepared for work experiences,” Dial said. “And I want to set standards that reflect well on the students, the high school, and the community.”

Dial has similar goals for FCHS athletics. “I’d like us to consistently compete at the best level we can,” Dial said. “And, I want to give the coaches and athletes everything they need to compete.” Dial said character and sportsmanship should be just as important as winning or losing.