The Practical Nursing program consists of 1,382 hours of training, including 564 hours of lab and clinical experience. During their clinical experience, students exercise the skills they learn in a variety of hospital settings including geriatrics, medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency nursing. Clinicals are completed at various locations throughout the region including , , , , , , , and .

The ceremony opened with the student processional. Catherine Abell then led her fellow students in reciting the Nurse鈥檚 Prayer. Dr. Amber Nowlin, DNP, RN, PN Program Coordinator welcomed all in attendance, and Miranda Cox, Class President, was the student speaker for the evening.

Scholarships were then awarded by , , and the . The Best in Clinical Performance Award was given by Holzer Health Systems to Ty Smittle and presented by Lisa Detty, MSN, RN, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer. The Best-in-Class Performance Award was given by Rivers Health to Miranda Cox and presented by Lori McFarland, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CLSSGB, Chief Nursing Officer, and Jarod Zelaska, Executive Director of Human Resources. The Spirit of Nursing Award was given by the Nurse Honor Guard of the Ohio Valley to Mary Lamb and presented by Candace Moore, Cindy Harrison, and Connie McGlothlin.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of pins by program instructors. Students that received pins included Catherine Abell, Ashton Bauer, Miranda Cox, Mary Lamb, Rhainee Lowe, Kylie Moore, Keely Myers, and Ty Smittle. 聽Program lead instructors included Cara Gibson, BSN, RN; Jennifer Nance, BSN, RN; and Rebecca Blevins, BSN, RN. Program clinical instructors included Fawn Hill, ADN, RN.

The students are now eligible to take the for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Upon passing the NCLEX-PN, students earn their license and their LPN credential.

The Practical Nursing program is held twice annually with 48-week cohorts beginning in January and September. Enrollment for the is open now until October 30, 2025. For more information or to apply, visit BuckeyeHills.net/apply.

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The LPN to RN Diploma program is a one-year program designed to help licensed practical nurses transition to registered nurses. This program includes a total of 1,298 hours of training, structured as two days of classroom instruction and one day of clinical practice each week. This schedule enables students to maintain their roles as LPNs while pursuing their studies.

鈥淥ur career center faced the challenge of creating this pathway for working LPNs in the industry,鈥� Mr. Jamie Nash, 黑料科 Superintendent shared. 鈥淭his type of program aligns perfectly with what our aims to accomplish for our community and business partners.鈥�

During their clinical experience, students exercise the skills they learn in a variety of hospital settings including medical-surgical, intensive care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics units. Clinicals are completed at various locations throughout the region including , , , and .

The ceremony opened with the student processional. Jamie Bartee, 黑料科 Dean of Postsecondary Instruction, welcomed everyone in attendance and recognized program staff and special guests. Jordan Bonecutter and Kelsey Booth led their fellow students in reciting the Nurse鈥檚 Prayer, and Dr. Amber Nowlin, DNP, RN, 黑料科 Program Lead Instructor & Coordinator, shared details about the inaugural LPN to RN Diploma class.

Scholarships were awarded by , , and the . The Best in Classroom Performance Scholarship was awarded to Jordan Bonecutter by Holzer Health System and presented by Lisa Detty, MSN, RN, Executive Vice President – Chief Nursing Officer. The Best in Clinical Performance Scholarship was awarded to Jessica Jeffers by Rivers Health and presented by Lori McFarland, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CLSSGB, Chief Nursing Officer, and Jarod Zelaska, Executive Director of Human Resources. The Florence Nightingale Scholarship was awarded to Nina Blessing and presented by the Nurse Honor Guard of the Ohio Valley.

Bridget Nance, the Class President, delivered a speech to her fellow classmates and all in attendance. “Nursing is more than just a career,” she shared, “It is a calling. It is a commitment to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves, to heal those who are suffering, and to uplift patients and families.”

Diplomas were then presented by program instructors, and students were pinned by their friends and family. Students that received pins included Nina Lucrechia Blessing, Jordan Kelsi Bonecutter, Kelsey Amanda Booth, Leslie Renea Gay, Kara Michelle Haislop, Ashtin Sherry Bryann Hatten, Amy Renee Jago, Jessica Dawn Jeffers, Paige Allison Jones, April Leighanne Knopp, Kara Beth McCormick, Bridget Valerie Nance, Jason Charles Northup, Julie Anne Northup, Marianne Elizabeth Parsons, Chelsea Lynn Perry, Milinda Sue Say, Sandra Susanne Stanley, Emily Marie Walker, and Nichole Dawn Webb.

Program instructors included Dr. Amber Nowlin, DNP, RN; Tresera Rhoton, BSN, RN; Cara Gibson, BSN, RN; and Jennifer Nance, BSN, RN.

鈥淚t was an honor to attend 黑料科r鈥檚 first LPN to RN Diploma Program Pinning Ceremony. I couldn鈥檛 be more proud of our students, Dr. Nowlin, and the entire team of instructors,鈥� Superintendent Jamie Nash shared.

Dr. Amber Nowlin, DNP, RN, shared, 鈥淚 am incredibly proud of the graduates and the staff. It’s truly inspiring to see the graduates’ successes and accomplishments, especially after observing the challenges and trials they’ve faced throughout their journey.鈥�

“The first graduating class of the 黑料科r LPN to RN Diploma Program stands as a powerful reminder that success is not given鈥攊t is earned,鈥� Jamie Bartee, 黑料科 Dean of Postsecondary Instructor shared. 鈥淭hese students have turned our mission of Creating Successful Lives into a living, breathing reality, and their impact will echo far beyond these walls.”

The students are now eligible to take the from the . Upon passing the NCLEX-RN, students earn their license and their RN credential.

Additionally, 黑料科r recently partnered with in New Concord, Ohio, to offer students a pathway to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in the Science of Nursing (BSN) 100% online and at a discounted rate. Muskingum鈥檚 RN to BSN program is ranked the #1 RN to BSN Nursing Program in Ohio by RN Careers and provides Buckeye Hills graduates with the option to take classes in five 8-week terms 鈥� allowing students to complete the program in one year.

The LPN to RN Diploma program at 黑料科r is offered once a year, featuring 49-week cohorts that kick off each spring. Enrollment for the Spring 2025 LPN to RN Diploma class is now closed, as 20 students are set to start the upcoming cohort on May 12, 2025.

Photos from the ceremony are available

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The Practical Nursing program consists of 1,382 hours of training including 564 hours of lab and clinical experience. During their clinical experience, students exercise the skills they learn in a variety of hospital settings including geriatrics, medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency nursing. Clinicals are completed at various locations throughout the region including , , , , , and .

The ceremony opened with the student processional. Natalie Johnson & Sydney Walters then led their fellow students in reciting the Nurse鈥檚 Prayer. Dr. Amber Nowlin, DNP, RN, PN Program Coordinator welcomed all in attendance, and Kennedy Smith, Class Vice President, was the student speaker for the evening.

Scholarships were then awarded by and . The Best in Clinical Performance Scholarship was awarded to Mariah Haley by and presented by Sarah Holland, RN, Director of Ambulatory Nursing. The Best in Class Performance Scholarship was awarded to Desiree Secora by and presented by Lori McFarland, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CLSSGB, Chief Nursing Officer, and Jarod Zelaska, Executive Director of Human Resources.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of pins by program instructors. Students that received pins included Hollee Castor, Kaitlyn Cox, Danny Fyffe, Mariah Haley, Natalie Johnson, Jessica Messer, Braedon 鈥淒rake鈥� Phillips, Jordan Rardin, Desiree Secora, Kennedy Smith, and Sydney Walters. 聽Program lead instructors included Cara Gibson, BSN, RN; Jennifer Nance, BSN, RN; and Tresera Rhoton, BSN, RN. Program clinical instructors included Rachel Piquignot, BSN, RN; and Jennifer Blackburn, ADN, RN.

The January 2024 Practical Nursing cohort included five early placement, OTC+ students. High School students enrolled in the Health Academy pathway at 黑料科r have the opportunity to begin the Practical Nursing program during the second semester of their senior year. Early placement students that completed the PN program include Hollee Castor, Kaitlyn Cox, Jessica Messer, Jordan Rardin, and Desiree Secora.

The students are now eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (). Upon passing the NCLEX-PN, students earn their license and their LPN credential.

The Practical Nursing program is held twice annually with 48-week cohorts beginning in January and September. Enrollment for the Fall 2025 PN Program will open mid-February.

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