On May 5, 2015, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program held its Leadership Luncheon for our graduating students. At this event, we recognize our BSN degree graduates as well as our preceptors for Leadership practicum. Leadership Theory and Practicum is the final course in our RN-BSN degree program and provides our students the opportunity to work one on one with a nurse in a leadership role. This experience helps our students realize how a baccalaureate in nursing enhances their professional career and personal growth.

At this luncheon, we take the opportunity to acknowledge several of our outstanding students. The first award is for the Outstanding Community Project Award. This semester’s award went to Matthew Knowlton. Matthew conducted his community practicum at the Salvation Army. During this time, he found there were needs for the homeless population regarding foot care especially for those with diabetes. He devised a comprehensive foot care program which educated this population about how to care for their feet to prevent the development of infections or foot ulcers. This education was invaluable since the impact of foot conditions or infections in this population would greatly impact their activities of daily living and livelihood.

This second award is for the most outstanding graduating BSN degree student. This semester, we chose to honor two students for their contribution to the College of Nursing community as well as SPC.

Our first recipient was Dee Williams. Dee embodied all the qualities of an outstanding  BSN degree student through her actions and academic performance. She demonstrated excellent school involvement by being supportive and encouraging to her peers. She consistently submitted high quality work in the program and utilized nursing evidence-based practices and sources in their development.  In addition to her involvement in school, Dee has been a long-standing volunteer at her church and with the Salvation Army. Dee is an exemplary BSN degree graduate and an asset to the nursing profession.

Our second award for outstanding BSN degree student was  presented to Nikita Law. This student has been able to go beyond  her role as a nursing
student to work to make the nursing school experience better for all students at SPC. Nikita has been a member of our college’s Student Government Association, giving a voice  to the concerns of our students here at SPC. She recently went to Tallahassee to speak up for our SPC students  regarding the future of baccalaureate programs at community colleges and the issue of concealed weapons on campus. This desire to positively impact the educational experience for SPC students was recognized by her receipt of the prestigious Florida College System Student Government District Leadership Award.

We are so proud of all of the achievements of our BSN degree graduates and look forward to their growth in the profession as our future nursing leaders.