On Thursday, May 23, Three Rivers Community College held the fifty-third Nursing Pinning Ceremony. During the ceremony, 34 nursing students of the Class of Spring 2019 received their nursing pin, marking the completion of their nursing degree and serving as a symbol of their readiness to be compassionate professional caregivers.

Faculty and administration spoke to the students, admiring the hard work and determination that brought them to this point. Their class advisor, Assistant Professor Cheryl Gilot, acknowledged their efforts saying, “Their journey into nursing has entailed huge amounts of hard work, countless sacrifices for them. They will see and experience more than they can ever imagine. They will have the privilege of caring for others at a difficult time in their lives. They will at times be the leading source of hope, compassion and care.” She went on to urge the nursing graduates to “always remember the power of truly being present with those in your care and instill hope to those in need.”

The keynote speaker was John Brady, a 1999 Three Rivers nursing graduate. After working for years as a Certified Emergency Nurse, he is now the Vice President of AFT Connecticut. Brady encouraged the students and urged them to “take care of each other while advocating for your patients.” Rachael Houle, Class President and Class Speaker, told her classmates “we are nurses now and no matter the area of practice or education, we are connected by an inherent ability to help people. This program has given you the knowledge and skills, but you brought the drive.” A candlelight recitation of the Nurse’s Nightingale Pledge came after the presentation of the students’ nursing pins.

The students have earned an Associate of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of a licensing examination, the graduates will have earned the credential of Registered Nurse (RN).

Three Rivers graduates’ scores on the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) are consistently above the national average, with a three-year average of over 93%. Graduates also report a 99% job placement on the last three graduate surveys.

List of Nursing Graduates with their towns

Jamie Arroyo, Jewett City, CT

Sherieffa Bailey, Hartford, CT

Andrea Bergeson, Baltic, CT

Rachel Bissonette, Coventry, CT

Ma Clarice Boardman, Groton, CT

Zaha Bush, Salem, CT

Carley Cann, Groton, CT

Katie Caruso, Lebanon, CT

Ashley Cote, East Killingly, CT

Yosha Dhungana, New London, CT

Beth Falcone, Mystic, CT

Kylie Flanagan, Amston, CT

Rachel Greiner, Griswold, CT

Jonathan Hall, Woodstock, CT

Jessie Hatfield, Uncasville, CT

Rachael Houle, Danielson, CT

Melissa Hubert, Brooklyn, CT

Maricar Knowles, Oakdale, CT

Jennifer Lemieux, North Grosvenordale, CT

Angela Narducci, Higganum, CT

Julia O’Connor, Amston, CT

Ikenna Okechukwu, Manchester, CT

Emily O’Rourke, Pawcatuck, CT

Hannah Phelps, Brooklyn, CT

Michelle Quiles, East Hartford, CT

Christine Reed, Groton, CT

Gregory Rezendes, Ledyard, CT

Elizabeth Rose, Pawcatuck, CT

Clara Smith, Middletown, CT

Nicole Stevens, Niantic, CT

Morgan Turner, Griswold, CT

Melissa Tuthill, Norwich, CT

Alexis Williams, Plainfield, CT

Macy Zadora, Griswold, CT