The letters R.N. and the achievement they denote soon will be affixed to the names of 48 men and women who graduated from the Yavapai College Nursing program this semester.

The future nurses gathered Dec. 13 for a traditional nursing pinning ceremony at the YC Performing Arts Center on the Prescott campus. There, they and their loved ones jubilantly celebrated an educational milestone requiring perseverance, dedication and the unwavering support of family and friends.

The nursing graduates also celebrated with a lamp lighting and recitation of the Florence Nightingale pledge. In the pledge, the graduates commit to “be loyal to my work and devoted towards the welfare of those committed to my care.”

In her congratulatory remarks, Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine described the graduates as “the cream of the crop” and said, “I hope that one day one of you will be taking care of me.”

Rhine also urged the future nurses to pay attention to their own health and wellbeing. “Caregivers often neglect themselves because of the loving nature of their hearts to help others first. It’s only when you are at your best that you can perform at the highest levels and give your best to others.”

Dr. Barbara Durham, nursing faculty guest speaker for the pinning ceremony, welcomed the graduates to the nursing profession while reminding them their education doesn’t end with a degree. Rather, a nurse’s skills are honed with each patient cared for, she said, adding, “The wisdom you will gain from years of clinical practice will be profound.”

While embracing lifelong learning, Durham urged graduates to be confident when they land their first job. “Your first steps as a registered nurse will be baby steps... You may even look over your shoulder for a nursing instructor – and we won’t be there. But, you’ve got this,” she said.

Durham said she was honored to have been along for the graduates’ educational journeys. “In my heart, I know your future nursing endeavors are destined for greatness.”

Following are the Fall 2019 YC Nursing Program graduates:

Jennie Aldridge
Erin Archer
Yesenia Ayala Flores
Sierrah Baker
Anjerrica Bard
Charmaine Benallie
Tracy Bosick
Samantha Boyd
Tigone Cain
Derek Casper
Justin Durham
Shantel Fawcett
Jessica Fitzgerald
Trina Talolo Fortner
Dean Futrell
Nicole Goldberger
Maria Gonzalez Solorio
Michelle Hernandez
Stacy Hill
Anna Maria Kaufman
Maria Kircher
Ann LeMmon
Flor Long
Katie Marmolejo
Samanta Miller
Karen Namanny
Ronald Nashert
Mirian M. Nelson
Kirsten Nodzon
Maria Ortiz
Becky Paloutzian
Emma Parsons
Nicole Pleasant
Erin Reed
Courtney Rezzonico
Tori Rezzonico
Jazmyn Rodarte
Vanessa Rodriguez
Wendy Simmons
Jessica Skvarek
Lauren Smith
Kelsey Swope
Joanna Timlick
Peter Trevino
Desiree Vivar
Chanell Watt
Ashlee Willer
Irina Wren