In a traditional ceremony, the lamps of student nurses are lit by members of the DSCC nursing faculty during the college's recent pinning ceremony at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Dyersburg State Community College honored 31 nursing students with a traditional pinning ceremony on Friday, May 2, just a few days prior to the college's commencement exercises.

One of the final steps in achieving the dream of becoming a nurse, the ceremony that awards nurses' pins to DSCC students took place at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Several special awards were presented during the ceremony, including Clinical Practice awards, scholastic awards, the Peggy N. Pendergrast Faculty Award, the Friendship award and the Friend of Nursing Award.

Whitney Lee of Halls and Ramona Moore of Union City were chosen to receive the Clinical Practice award. The DSCC Nursing Faculty presents this award to students who demonstrate the practice of nursing as a humanistic art and science, the recognition of each person as a unique individual, and acceptance of legal, ethical and professional accountability.

Amy Prather of South Fulton and Rachel Schneider of Newbern were honored with the Scholastic Award, given to the two students with the highest cumulative grade-point average at the end of fall semester. The grade-point average includes all courses in the nursing curriculum.

Nicole Key of Dyersburg received the Peggy N. Pendergrast Faculty Award. Each year this special honor is given by the Division of Nursing to recognize a graduating student who is best described as "first among equals."

Named for the founding director of the DSCC nursing program, the honor is awarded to a nursing student the faculty believes will make a contribution to the profession of nursing through the practice of nursing. Through their course and clinical work, recipients demonstrate the qualities essential for effective nursing practice.

Elizabeth Buckley of Burlison received the Friendship award and the Friend of Nursing award was presented to Janie Bard of Dyersburg.

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Those who received their associate of science in nursing include Alexandria Mask of Alamo; Alisia Hindman of Atoka; Anisha Johnson and Megan Powell of Bells; Janine Seagrave and Jennifer Smith of Brighton; Elizabeth Lane Buckley of Burlison; Rebekah Riley and Jennifer Stafford of Caruthersville; Christie Brown, Kimberly Hays Campbell, Nicole Key, Charna McMillen, Nikki Rodriguez, Betty Sells and Erika Tidwell of Dyersburg; Whitney Lee and Tammy O'Bryan of Halls; Lakesha Gray of Humboldt; Vivian Owens of Martin; Danielle Brooke Moore and Gina Westerman of Munford; Dixie Hart and Rachel Schneider of Newbern; Kelly Norris of Ridgely; Tabith LeCornu and Amy Prather of South Fulton; Diane Paris of Tiptonville; Courtney Gorton of Troy; and Ramona Moore and Kallye Young of Union City.

Throughout its history, the Dyersburg State nursing program has become one of the most respected programs in the region. Dyersburg State nursing graduates consistently score well above the state-required rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

Job-placement rates for program graduates are extremely high each year thanks to the program's reputation and the consistent demand for qualified nurses.

The Tennessee Board of Nursing approves the DSCC nursing program while the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission accredits the program. The program was reaccredited in 2002 for eight years -- the maximum time allowed.

In addition to offering an associate of applied science degree in nursing, the college also offers emergency medical technology and health information technology programs.