BY STACI WILSON

Each morning, Ginny, an oncology nurse at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, would bring a cup of coffee to Jennifer Jones.

“Two creams, no sugar. Just the way I like it,” Jones said at the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center LPN graduation held Friday, Aug. 28, on the Elk Lake campus in Dimock.

From the Buffalo, N.Y., medical center where she was a patient. Jones transferred to Hershey Medical Center to undergo a stem-cell transplant.

Now four years cancer free, Jones, of Montrose, took the stage as the valedictorian of the LPN Class of 2015.

Her experience led her to choose nursing as a career. “I have embarked on a journey,” she said, I have become a nurse so I can pour someone somewhere a beautiful cup of coffee.”

Jones, along with 17 fellow graduates, was honored with awards, diplomas and presentations of their nursing pins.

Karen Killian, RN and clinical supervisor, said the students had combined classroom, lab and clinical skills to learn something new every day.

She said the nursing students’ frequent statement of “I’m afraid” uttered in early days of the class faded away over time as “uncertainties were put to rest.”

As witness to their development over the year’s training, Killian said she thought to herself, “Yep, they’re becoming nurses before they even know it.”

During a clinical rotation at Robert Packard Hospital in Sayre, Killian said the students “discovered their passions.” Some preferred the operating room, while others gravitated to emergency, ICU, and obstetrics.

Class president Brittany Sisson, of Friendsville, said Killian had inspired her over the course of her training.

The 18 students who enrolled in the program made it through to graduation, Sisson noted, overcoming obstacles – including starting the year with no teacher in place.

“We will be great nurses,” she assured her fellow graduates. “We will make a difference in every life we come in contact with.”

Salutatorian and class vice president Danielle Ellis, of Hallstead, said the group on the stage was comprised of clerks, moms, a surgical technician, waitresses and receptionists.

“A group of mismatched strangers that came together to better themselves,” Ellis said. “Twelve months ago, our journey was just beginning.”

Ellis spoke of learning compassion through the process. “We will make an impact every day. We are the voice of the voiceless and the advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. It’s not about the pills, IVs, and charts, it’s loving people when they are at their worst.”

“We’ve chosen a profession of exceptional work. I’ve never been more proud of myself and the 17 others on this stage,” Ellis said.

The following awards were presented:
Florence Nightingale Award – Clinical Excellence: Brittany Sisson; Mary Breckinridge – Critical Thinking Award: Carrie Henry; Virginia Jenderson – Professionalism Award: Gabrielle Melan; Edith Cavell – Patient Advocate Award: Chantel Handy; Clara Barton – Excellence in Nursing Care Award: Amanda Stewart; Anna Maxwell – Overall Amelioration Award: Jessica Prevost.

Diplomas were presented to the graduates by Denise Gieski, Nursing Director; and Anne Teel, SCCTC Board of Education president.

SCCTC Exectuve Director Alice Davis said the class will “go out and be successful, earning a family sustaining wage with a high priority job.
The next LPN classes get underway Sept. 8, Davis said.

2015 graduates are: Najah Abdul-Aziz, Khadijah Abdul-Jabbar, Tyler Amplo, Priscilla Choplosky, Danielle Ellis, Chantel Handy, Carrie Henry, Suzannah Howell, Jennifer Ivens, Jennifer Jones, Michelle Lane, Gabrielle Melan, Brook Mitchell, Carol Neal, Jessica Prevost, Brittany Sisson, and Christine Thompson.