Ivy Tech celebrates Greencastle LPN program graduate pinning

Ivy Tech Greencastle Nursing Instructor Jody Richardson (left) celebrates with new LPN graduate Katrina Gamble following Friday’s Nursing Pinning Ceremony on the Greencastle campus.

Courtesy photo

Ivy Tech Community College Greencastle celebrated 16 graduates of the school’s Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certification program Friday afternoon during a pinning ceremony on campus.

About 135 people attended the ceremony, conducted in the foyer of the Greencastle campus facility.

“We are so very excited about to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment with you,” Chancellor Kathleen Lee told the graduates. “You and your families should be very proud.”

Ivy Tech’s Practical Nursing program is an integral part of the college’s health care focus. The Practical Nursing technical certificate prepares students to care for patients in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, convalescent centers, clinics, home care and physician offices.Graduates are eligible to apply to the state licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) and become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Indiana currently experiences just more than 900 job openings annually for Licensed Practical Nurses with a median salary of $19.53 per hour.

“I hope that Ivy Tech and its faculty and staff have, in some way, changed your lives and it is certainly my hope that you go forward and continue to change the lives of others,” Campus President Greg Cook told the graduates.

Graduates of the program are Misty D. Baird, Ashlyn N. Clark, Katrina R. Gamble, Samantha M. Hall, Laurisa J. Huber, Natalie R. Lara, Shanda L. Leming, Sarah L. Mason, Kimberly A. McCoy, Julie K. Melson, LaDonna M. Miller, Hannah R. Nichols, Marissa R. Short, Jane N. Soita, Kara M. Vinard, Crystal E. Wilson.

Also, the Greencastle campus is offering a Licensed Practical Nursing to Associate of Science in Nursing track beginning in January 2018.

The LPN to ASN Transitional Track allows Licensed Practical Nurses to prepare for the NCLEX-RN examination to become Registered Nurses. The track requires a minimum of 55 credit hours to complete.

To be eligible, students must have a Practical Nursing license and apply to Ivy Tech’s program by Sept. 1.

Learn more at www.ivytech.edu/nursing.