Marilyn Teeter, coordinator of the HACC nursing program at Gettysburg, congratulated the students and spoke about the success of the program. She noted that all 100 percent of last year's graduates went on to pass their licensure exam. They are all now employed as RNs. The average pass rate in Pennsylvania is 84 percent.
During the ceremony, an additional 25 students who have completed their first year of nursing education at HACC were presented with a stripe for the sleeves of their student uniforms. The stripe designates them as second level associate degree in nursing students. Also during the ceremony, three students were recognized for their achievements. Peter Freeman, Harrisburg, received the Leadership in Nursing award from the Pennsylvania State Nurses' Association District 15; Christina Funkhouser, Hanover, received the Excellence in Nursing award from the HACC-Gettysburg nursing faculty; and Heather Howell, Biglerville, received the Art of Nursing award from the HACC-Gettysburg Student Nursing Organization.
HACC's registered nursing program at the Gettysburg Campus was developed through a partnership with Gettysburg Hospital and was implemented in January of 2003. "Community support for our nursing program has been remarkable," said Teeter. "In addition to generous contributions made through the Gettysburg Hospital Foundation, our program has received scholarship donations and funding from individuals, businesses and organizations. Gettysburg students gain clinical experience through the cooperation of a wide range of area health care institutions, including Adams-Hanover Counseling Services, Beverly Healthcare, Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Chambersburg Hospital, Gettysburg Hospital, Gettysburg Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Green Acres Adams County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hanover Hospital, Hoffman Home, Inc., Homewood at Plum Creek, Lutheran Home Care Services, Mountain View OB-GYN, Waynesboro Hospital, Wee Care Learning Center and York Hospital."
HACC also plans to implement its practical nursing program at the Gettysburg Campus beginning in January.
"Community agencies and health care institutions have expressed a need for a college-based practical nursing (PN) program in addition to the RN nursing program already in place at the Gettysburg Campus," said Teeter. "We will have our first graduates of the PN Program next December."
HACC also offers registered nursing and practical nursing programs at its Harrisburg and Lancaster campuses. The HACC associate of arts degree in nursing program first opened at the Harrisburg Campus in 1969. The HACC practical nursing program first opened at the Harrisburg Campus in 1987.
Gettysburg Campus nursing graduates who received nursing pins are:
Arendtsville - Joey L. Kuhn.
Biglerville - Heather S. Howell.
Carlisle - Tiffany M. Gsell.
Dillsburg - Amy M. Grace.
East Berlin - Jennifer E. Hurd.
Fairfield - Deborah B. Collins.
Gardners - Kristi M. Kessel.
Gettysburg - Laura J. Baumgardner, Danielle N. Gaulding, Elizabeth A. Sollenberger.
Hanover - Carla J. Ache, Christina B. Funkhouser, Sherry L. Sauble, Cherree A. Wolf, Rebekah D. Wolf.
Harrisburg - Peter S. Freeman.
Littlestown - Dawn M. Utz.
Mechanicsburg - Colleen A. Okonieski.
New Oxford - Donna K. Beard, Jennifer L. Leister, Melissa N. Wise.
Spring Grove - Cristin J. Horne.
Wellsville - Judy A. Shank.
York Springs - Amy R. Helsel.
The following students completed their first year of HACC's nursing program and received their nursing stripe (class of 2006):
Aspers - Wanda L. Witherow.