Polk News

These are the attending  graduates of Isothermal Community College, Polk Campus, Nurse Aide program: Back row, from left to right: Bonnie Searcy, Edwin Sargent, Barbara Black, Virginia Bradley. Middle row, left to right: Deana Lail, Megan Cogdell, Brenda Frame, Wanda Calderin, Marian Brady. Front row: Barbara Millwood, Deborah Michelle Jones, Stephanie Justice, Ora Basnight, Jackie Rhodes, Candy Livingstone.
(Photo courtesy of Judy Shultz.)

Nurse Aide Graduation at Isothermal Community College - Polk                    

On Thursday evening, February 7, a Graduation Program was held for the Nurse Aide students from Polk County Campus of Isothermal Community College.  These students, as well as those who were unable to attend, have not only successfully completed the rigorous course given at ICC, Polk Campus, but have also successfully passed the written and skills test required for listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry.  Known as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s), they meet state requirements to care for patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and in home care. 

A warm welcome was extended to the graduates, their friends and families by Cindy Ramsey, Administrator of Isothermal Community College, Polk Campus. 

Instructor Elizabeth Chamberlain, RN, addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of hugs and hugging, for both givers and receivers, in care giving and other life situations. 

Instructor, Penny Montgomery, RN, spoke to the graduates, praising them for their accomplishment and encouraging them to strive for their best in all they do, even though there are tough challenges in their work. 

The guest speaker for the evening was Dee West, Nursing Home Administrator, Tryon Estates, who worked for many years as a Nursing Assistant. She encouraged the graduates to do their very best, whether they decide to remain at the CNA level, where there is always a need for well-trained, caring people, or whether they choose to go on for further education. The graduates were also encouraged to consider ways to change the long-term care facilities in which they work, to help them become more homelike for the residents, and to share these ideas with their supervisors/administrators. 

Judy Shultz, RN, Program Coordinator for the Nursing Assistant program, presented the graduates.  Elizabeth Chamberlain, RN, Penny Montgomery, RN, and Lorna Dever, CPR instructor, assisted by Judy Shultz, RN, presented the class members individually with certificates, pins and gifts.  Pins were provided courtesy of Link Medical. Gifts for each graduate were provided by Community Health Connection/St. Luke’s Hospital and by Tryon Estates. 

To conclude the program, everyone stood and sang “God Bless America.” 

A very nice reception was provided by Tryon Estates and Laurelwoods/Laurelhurst.