Caring For Others Mission of McCann Nursing Graduates
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The graduating class of the McCann Technical School licensed practical nursing program was reminded on Monday of its most basic reason for being.
"It is simply to take care of people, those important human beings entrusted to our care. Never, ever forget," said keynote speaker Elizabeth A. Kirby, director of education Berkshire Health Systems and a registered nurse. "We exist to help our fellow man ... when we lose sight of that, we become disillusioned."
That can lead to disliking the work and burning out, she said.
"This is when our patients begin to suffer because of us ... ours is a very hard, demanding profession," Kirby told the 16 student graduates. "We deal with sad difficult things daily ... we need to realize not only do we deal with sadness and difficulty, but we also deal with miracles."
The students seated in the McCann gym had made it through 10 hard months of classes and hands-on clinical work to prepare them for the opportunities awaiting them as health care professionals.
"I can make this bold statement: There are no other 16 student graduates in America who worked harder this year than they did," said Superintendent James Brosnan, then turning to the families gathered on the bleachers with flowers and balloons ready for the graduates, "They made it because of you — the support of family through this rigorous program."
That support was in full view on Monday night as cheers and applause followed the ceremonial pinning of each graduate, many by family members or mentors in the nursing field.
Graduate Molly Howe was pinned by her grandmother, Dorothy Howe, a registered nurse. "It was really special," said Howe, who plans to continue her nursing education, following in her grandmother's footsteps.
"I was thrilled. I'm proud of her anyways, and it was a nice celebration," said Dorothy Howe, who recently attended her 60th reunion at her nursing school in Lewiston, Maine.
Susan A. Watson, practical nursing coordinator, presented this year's awards.
The Fay Ellen Fosser Memorial Scholarship, in memory of the Clarksburg native and McCann graduate, was presented to Melissa Wood and Paula Carman. The Highest Academic Achievement Award went to Molly Howe while four students were presented the Clinical Excellence Award: Armande Amichia, Molly O'Dowd, Melissa Peltier, and Melissa Wood. Perfect Attendance went to Vivian Enchill.
Diplomas were presented by Principal Justin Kurtz, Brosnan and School Committee Chairman Thomas Mahar. Graduate Shannon Rollins led the graduates in the Nurse's Pledge.
Before the graduates danced away to the strains of Pharrell Williams' "Happy," Kirby told them to take note of the symbolic meaning of their pins, which are marked with Florence Nightingale's lamp.
"That means your school wants you to have the attributes of courage, kindness, gentleness and comfort as you care for your patients."
The graduates: Amrande Amichia, Vicki L. Benedict, Paula J. Carman, Vivian Evelyn Enchill, Patti L. Gaylord, Molly Susan Howe, Molly Elizabeth O'Dowd, Jacob William Ostrowski, Melissa M. Peltier, Adam L. Quimby, Brenda Reeves, Shannon M. Rollins, Mary Ann Semaan, Jill Simon, Bernadine Wanjiku and Melissa A. Wood.
Tags: graduation 2015, LPN, McCann, nursing education,
