Certified Nursing Assistant students who have been in training for the past five weeks were honored with a pinning ceremony at Minnie Hamilton Health Systems on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 6th, 2024. Family, friends and staff attended the event to honor the eight graduating students who had been under the instruction of Rebecca Swisher Burns.
Director of Nursing, Kimberly Houchin opened up the ceremony by introducing CNA Instructor Mrs. Burns. Through her years of assisting in the her training , working along side her as staff and now watching her as she trains the next generation of CNA’s, Houchin spoke very highly saying that Burns was doing an exceptional job of preparing students and helping them to be ready for the workforce. She said of the graduating students that “They’ve had their hearts into the program and were motivated by the partnership of Calhoun Gilmer Career Center, Minnie Hamilton Health System and Elizabeth Care Center.
Each of the graduates received their nursing pin which has a long history, dating back more than 1,000 years to the 12th century crusades. During this violent time period, those who were devoted to caring for the injured and ill were given large Maltese crosses to wear on the battlefields. These crosses with equal-sized arms were large enough for all to see.
However, it’s the legacy of the famed Florence Nightingale hundreds of years later that has influenced modern-day nursing school pinning ceremonies. Hospitals recognized Nightingale’s impact on the field of healthcare—particularly nursing—and began creating pinning programs beginning in the mid-1880s. Initially, only those nurses with exceptional marks and practice received pins, but that later expanded to a larger audience—including all nurses devoted to the welfare and well-being of society.
Rebecca took time to introduce each student and share some insight or stories about them.
Allison McCumbers was the first to be pinned, sharing that honor with her father. She was the youngest of all the graduates.
It said fo Andrea Morris, pinned by dad Scott, that she worked a full shift at Minnie Hamilton, followed by a shift at a local restaurant and then on went home to care for her two year old son.
Ashley Rush, pinned by sister Amber, came into the program after the loss of her mother and was said to “always create a smile and put others before herself.”
Brookylyn Harris’ father Jason pinned her. Brooklyn had taken the program when she was in high school, but didn’t complete it. She came back, finished the program and proved herself as a dependable and reliable CNA.
Cassidy McKown, pinned by dad Mike, would come in for her training shift and then worked in house keeping at Minnie Hamilton until 11 p.m. Rebecca said of her that “She is a really good CNA and has earned the right to stand there in the ceremony line.”
It was said of Jacquelyn Nikki McVey that she “Created learning strategies, and watching her was rewarding with how bad she wanted it. Jacquelyn is she HR director at the Elizabeth Care Center and because of the issues with short staffing, she wanted to help. As a full time single mom of twins, she finished the CNA program and was attributed for saving a life while serving in clinical. She was pinned by her instructor, Rebecca.
Twenty year old Kimberly Cox had been a CNA previously. After having a son that passed away, she wanted to return to the field. “She’s here to take care of patients and get things done,” said Rebecca, who also pinned Kimberly.
Laura Woolwine was pinned by her spouse. Rebecca said of her that “She’s the person that makes you laugh.” Laura works in dietary in Elizabeth Care Center in the evening, but took the CNA training to further her opportunities.
This is the 4th graduating class that Rebecca Swisher Burns has taught. She closed with the following advice to her students.
- Respect is earned not given
- You work your way to the day shift
- Take care of yourself you have one body
- Mental health is top priority
- The most dangerous nurse is the one who knows everything – told first to Rebecca by Kim Houchin.
Five of the students have already been interviewed for positions at Minnie Hamilton Health Systems and may begin working soon.
