News Release

All Campuses

Student Vocational Nurses Graduation

December 12, 2007

Success has been achieved by 14 Student Vocational Nurses at the Cerro Coso Community College, IWV Campus. A formal Graduation and Capping Nursing Ceremony will be held at the College Lecture Center, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Friday, December 14, 2007.

"The nursing ceremony is a well-known and honored event. Students start planning for this ceremony very early in their three-semester program," stated Director Cheryl Gates, Director of Vocational Nursing and Health Career Programs at Cerro Coso Community College. "We are honored to have Celia Mills, RN, BSN who serves as the clinical manager for the Medical Surgical Unit and ICU at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital to be our Guest Speaker this year," continued Gates.

The highlight of the ceremony is always the candle-lighting and recitation of the Nursing Pledge. Families and friends come from near and far to experience the ceremony. The nursing capping and the Nightingale Ceremony remain a treasured part of the total student nursing experience. Formal recognition is provided to the graduates and to their families and friends, who supported them during their numerous hours of study, reading the textbooks or working at clinical facilities. The ceremony provides validation that the difficult and adventuresome college experiences have been achieved.

The Pink Ladies from Ridgecrest Regional Hospital will provide a reception after the ceremony. The public is invited to attend this joyous event.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230