The Lillian Duer James School of Nursing at Richmond Community College held its annual pinning ceremony recently at the Cole Auditorium. Family and friends of the 36 graduates celebrated their completion of the rigorous two-year program. The graduates selected RCC Health Sciences Division Chair Carole Gibson as their keynote speaker. “What you have learned is the ‘science’ of nursing, but tonight I want to talk about the ‘art’ of nursing,” said Gibson. “I believe that unless the art of nursing is recognized as necessary to quality healthcare, we may be producing good technicians, but not necessarily good nurses.” She said compassionate care is central to nursing and encouraged students to embrace it. “There’s controversy as to whether good nurses are born or whether compassion can be learned. I believe it is an individual choice. Compassion requires that we go where it hurts, to enter places of pain, and to be engaged in situations where there is fear, confusion, and brokenness. It’s about sharing the burden with the client and allowing them to retain their independence and dignity,” she said. She told the graduates to know their clients, to communicate with them, and to maintain their passion. Exercising compassion is no easy task, but finding the balance, they will become valuable members of today’s nursing profession. ADN Class President Ashleigh Pearce of Hamlet told the audience they were not just celebrating their own hard work, but the support and love family, friends, and faculty had provided. Each group was essential to the graduates’ success. ADN Class Vice President Toby Williams of Biscoe led the students in reciting the Nurse’s Pledge. A reception honoring the graduates followed the ceremony. ADN Chair Carole Gibson and Professor Linda King presented the students their nursing school pins. Professors Sharonda Ford and Deborah Goodwin presented each student a long-stemmed red rose. Professors Sue Wagner, Mary Shy, Emily Aycock, Ronnie Tunstall, and Donna Gibson assisted with a lamp lighting ceremony. AWARDS The Lillian Duer James Family Scholastic Achievement Award was presented to Jillian Terry of Ellerbe. The Sandhills Regional Medical Center Golden Stethoscope Award was presented to Carole Griffin of Hamlet. The Hamlet Hospital Alumni Award was presented to Ashleigh Pearce of Hamlet. The Lloyd and Mary Louise King Mental Health Nursing Award was presented to Lauren Brown of Pinehurst. The Carolina Women’s Center Obstetric Award was presented to Andrea Berry of Maxton. The Lillian Duer James Family Pediatric Award was presented to Ashley Steele of Peachland. The Scotland Memorial Hospital Nursing Service Award was presented to Brandi Thomas of Lumberton. The Scotland Memorial Hospital Administration Award was presented to Autumn Bell of Hamlet. The Phyllis Caviness Gerontology Award was presented to Nicole Dyck of Aberdeen. The FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Professional Nursing Awards were presented to Chasity Evans of Rockingham and Laura Forbis of Rockingham. The Laura Susan Sharpe Memorial Nursing Award was presented to Chelsi Frazer of Rockingham. The Laura Susan Sharpe Cancer Support Group Award was presented to Chiquita Murphy of Fayetteville. The Joseph W. Grimsley Humanitarian Award was presented to Jillian Terry of Ellerbe. GRADUATES Scotland County graduates of the 2012 Class of Associate Degree Nursing graduates are Sandra Warren of Gibson; Julie Locklear, Ashley Stephens, and Kylie Tyson of Laurinburg; and Andrea Berry of Maxton.