New nurses celebrate entry into profession at pinning ceremony

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Thirty-three prospective new registered nurses celebrated a milestone recently as NMCC held its annual pinning ceremony. The event signifies the official entrance into the nursing field for members of the graduating class. The graduates are now eligible and prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain licensure as registered nurses.
Approximately 250 family members, friends and college personnel gathered for the ceremony held at Presque Isle Middle School. The highlight of the event was the presentation of a pin to each graduate by relatives or close friends chosen for their important role as members of the student nurses’ support network.
Dr. Kimberly Esquibel, chair of the college’s nursing and allied health department, reflected on the hard work faced by both student and professional nurses.
“Nursing is the most satisfying profession … but it’s tough. It is exhausting. The key is to never lose sight of the fact that you’re taking care of a patient who is someone’s family or loved one and it is an honor to do so,” she said. “Be life-long learners, work as a team, be encouraging to nursing students just as others have supported you.”
NMCC President Timothy Crowley thanked the group for their contributions to the campus.
“You have enriched our institution and will represent us well,” Crowley said. “Have passion in your work. It is absolutely critical for the important work you will be undertaking, equally as important as the technical skills you’ve learned.”
The guest speaker for the pinning ceremony was Janice Anderson, RN from Northern Maine Medical Center, who also serves as an adjunct faculty member at NMCC.
“I encourage you to continue to grow, to learn and to teach,” she said. “Treat everyone with courtesy, dignity and compassion. And always challenge yourself to be the best person you can be.”
Earning their nursing pin from the central Aroostook area were: Amy Durepo, Jessica Lahey, James McCleary and Joseph Mortland, all of Presque Isle; Angela Lopes, Kyle McEwen, Debby Page and Mallory Thompson, all of Caribou; Jessica Bennett and Herb DeMerchant of Easton, Jenny McPherson and Dayna Michaud of Mapleton, Lisa Marie Plucker and Brianna Rideout of Washburn, Cynthia Grass and Marie Sanderson of Blaine, Robert Martinez of Fort Fairfield, Melissa McCrum of Mars Hill, and Midel Scott of Limestone.
Nursing graduates from the southern Aroostook region are: Nicole Clayton and Capt. Hilary Ellis of Houlton, Amy Brady of Patten, Tracy Kervin of Linneus, Vanessa LaFay of Oakfield, Elizabeth Stratton of Hodgdon, and Mandy Willett from Staceyville.
Nursing students graduating from the northern Aroostook area were: Amanda Berube and Megan Ouellette of Van Buren, and Brandi Rossignol of Connor.
Those earning pins from outside of Aroostook County were: Chelby Cooper of Odell, N.B., Autumn Doughty of Veazie, Bryan Pelkey of Mattamiscontis, and Tricia Schneider of Brownville Junction.