On Saturday, the 12 graduates were honored during the 2011 Nursing Pinning Ceremony in the Seaside Hall of the Saipan Grand Hotel.
They were Brigitte Elde Aque, Ronalyn Ivy Atienza, Ji-Young “Claire” Cha, Maecy De Leon Guerrero, Julie Hall, Yuting Jin, Hana Park, Min Seon “Mindy” Park, Sun Ha Park, Sharisse Rivera, Hee Yoong “Sophia” Yoon and Xueli “Shelly” Zheng.
Keynote speaker Leticia Reyes, an NMC nursing graduate who now has a master’s degree in nursing, reminded the graduates about the importance of their profession.
“Just try to imagine a hospital without nurses, no nursing station, no nursing conferences — how do you think it would look like?” she asked.
Reyes said nurses are molded, shaped and trained to be pillars of caring, communication, critical thinking, professionalism and “wholism.”
“There are vast opportunities for advancement — just be the best nurse you can be. Always remember that with great ambition comes great perseverance which overcomes struggle,” she added.
NMC interim President Lorraine T. Cabrera delivered the opening remarks while NMC nursing instructor John Cox led the pinning and lighting ceremony.
Cox spoke about Florence Nightingale, the English nurse who pioneered the nursing profession.
He said nursing students all over the world honor the dedication of Nightingale and vow to carry the ideals for which she stood in the lamp lighting portion of their pinning ceremony.
Cox also led the recital of the Nightingale Pledge.
During the program, NMC nursing department chairwoman Rose Tudela, nursing instructors Hervin Jacinto and Johnny Aldan gave special recognition and awards to the graduates.
Min “Mindy” Seon Park received the leadership and community service awards, Sharisse Rivera, best clinical award; Hee Yoong “Sophia” Yoon, most dedicated award; and Julie Hall, academic excellence award.
The graduates, for their part, commended their parents for their continuous support and encouragement.
