FORT KENT, Maine — Nursing students at the University of Maine at Fort Kent were honored by fellow professionals during a Nurse Pinning Ceremony.
The theme of the ceremony was aligned with the American Nurses’ Association, 2015 National Nurses’ Week theme: “Ethical practice. Quality care.”
The afternoon began with inspirational words from Dr. Erin Soucy, Director of the Division of Nursing and Allied Health. Maine State Board of Nursing, Executive Director Myra Broadway, JD, MS, RN gave the featured keynote address. As Executive Director, Broadway has worked to distinguish Maine as a leader in many nursing initiatives and works to serve the state’s nurses, whether they serve in clinical practice, education, or administration. She has held this position since 1998.
All students have excelled in the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UMFK and are active in campus activities. Each student received an honor cord to wear at graduation and a membership certificate.
The UMFK Nursing Honor Society formed in the spring of 1998 for the purpose of recognizing and fostering academic excellence and scholarship among students, alumni and community leaders in nursing. Students with a grade point average of 3.0 or above, in the top 30 percent of their graduating class, and who represent the attributes of scholarship as defined by Boyer (1990) and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nursing, were eligible for induction.
Dr. Jenny Radsma, professor of nursing, honored Skyla J. Hamilton-Holderman of Jackson, Wyoming, and Carole Richards of Madawaska with the Student Nurse Citizenship Awards, honoring the diligence, manners, responsibility, conscientiousness, and thoughtful involvement characteristic of exemplary citizens.
Radsma then awarded pins to the bachelor of science in nursing students, including the following from the local area: Timothy Bair of Caribou; Bell, Presque Isle; Angela Davis, Houlton; Miranda Donovan, Marsardis; Megan Dube, Eagle Lake; Gaige Flewelling, Houlton; Caitlin Fowler, Woodland; Travis Norsworthy, Dylan Ouellette and Jennifer Pinette, Caribou; Krystal Paradis, Frenchville; Carole Richards and Tory Rouse, Haynesville; Kevin Smith, Blaine; and Katie Thuotte, Monticello.
