ELLISVILLE– The second class of Jones College’s Practical Nursing graduates that earned their degrees at the Jasper County Center in Bay Springs recently received their professional pins at a ceremony held at the Center. Amongst the graduates was Chelsey Booth of Hot Coffee, who began the Practical Nursing program with the first class but fell short.
“I didn’t make it by 2.1 points. I had sent out graduation invitations and everything! I really thought I was going to graduate last summer so I was really devastated,” shared Booth. “I have faith, so I didn’t quit. I just asked for strength to make it through the year because I had to sit out for a year before I could come back this summer and finish the course.”
All summer, the 33-year-old former Sanderson Farms Childcare Center employee drove 42 minutes daily to class and work to finally achieve her “purpose” in life and become a nurse. Of course, Booth had to overcome several more obstacles before she would realize her dream.
“During Covid, I was praying for my purpose, and I saw myself saving someone in an emergency situation and that’s been my dream ever since,” shared Booth. “However, since I started nursing school again, my mom retired after 23 years from Landmark in Collins as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and my stepdad had a stroke. I lost my sister in 2014, leaving her 10-year-old, who I help care for, and I help financially support my family. It’s been challenging and I worked a lot to get here!”
Proudly, Booth joins the ranks of the nursing profession and is ready to begin working as a travel nurse, after getting some experience working in a nursing home facility.
“This year, I have learned the concepts and I understand the nursing process, instead of just studying to pass the test. Before, I didn’t really know how to study but I have retained the knowledge and I feel like it’s my time now,” said Booth.
Also celebrating with the 16 nurse graduates at the Pinning and Completion Ceremony was the new lead instructor at the Jasper County Center, Lisa Hammons. She completes her first-year teaching after serving in several nursing roles for the last 11 years.
“Completing this first year as a nursing educator has been one of the most rewarding and challenging nursing experiences,” said Hammons. “I have found so much joy in watching these students learn, grow, and succeed. I look forward to the incoming class of nursing students and pray that they will find the success that the class of 2024 has achieved.”
Part of Hammon’s mission as a nurse educator is to impact not only the patients receiving care but also the nursing profession on an even larger scale.
“I have witnessed firsthand the critical need for well trained, competent and skilled nurses. I felt that by continuing my bedside career, I would touch the lives of a few patients but by helping train the future of nursing, I was further extending my reach as a nurse,” said Hammons.
Earning special honors at the ceremony were three students. Linda’See Little of Scooba earned the Academic Excellence Award for having the highest average score in her class. Shatara Keyes of Louin received the Rising Star Award as the nurse who has shown continuous dedication and exceptional growth in the classroom and clinical setting and her positive attitude and perseverance has enriched her professionalism and nursing knowledge. The Florence Nightingale Award went to Effie Klein of Taylorsville because she encompasses all the qualities of Florence Nightingale the founder of the nursing profession by exhibiting compassion, dedication, kindness and she embodies the true spirit of nursing.
For more information about the Practical Nursing Program at Jones College, offered in Jasper and Wayne Counties and on the main campus in Ellisville, click on the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/practicalnursing/
Jasper County Center Practical Nursing Grads July 2024
Samantha Abbey, Stringer
Magan Arnold, Laurel
Erica Alyss Ates, Raleigh
Nicole Bolton, Bay Springs
Chelsey Booth, Hot Coffee
Brenna Dixon, Waynesboro
Tymber Eubanks, Mize
Kydrekia Graves, Heidelberg
Heather Hester, Taylorsville
Melissa Hughes, Mize
LaJada Johnson, Bay Springs
Shatara Keyes, Louin
Effie Rawls Klein, Taylorsville
Linda’See Little, Scooba
Megan Phillips, Bay Springs
Kataya Shipp, Louin
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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
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