Twenty-three nursing students in Gettysburg are halfway toward their goal of becoming registered nurses. Students in the first class of the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Gettysburg Campus HACC celebrated the completion of their first year of nursing education with a striping ceremony on January 15. Diana Wells, Professor Emeritus of Nursing, Harrisburg Area Community College, spoke to the students about the art, science, and most importantly, the spirit of nursing. Marilyn Teeter, coordinator of the nursing program at Gettysburg Campus, presented students with a stripe for the sleeves of their nursing uniforms.

"Our program is a challenging one, and any student who moves successfully into the second year should be proud of his or her accomplishments," said Teeter. "Our first graduates will enter the nursing profession next December. What a future they will have, and how much they will add to our community."

HACC's registered nursing program was implemented at the Gettysburg Campus in January of 2003, with the admission of 27 students. In January of this year, a second group of students began their first year of nursing education, bringing the total enrollment at the Gettysburg Campus to 64 nursing students. Program facilities are located in the Gettysburg Hospital Health Care Learning Center at Gettysburg Campus HACC. Nursing students complete a variety of clinical experiences in local hospitals, nursing homes, agencies, and other area health care institutions. Harrisburg Area Community College also offers registered nursing programs at its Wildwood (Harrisburg) and Lancaster campuses.