First nurses’ ceremony pinning held at Reeds Spring

By Steve Koehler

The first pinning ceremony of practical nurses graduating from Ozarks Technical Community College’s Reeds Spring facility proves that the demand for nurses remains steady and strong.

There are 35 in the College’s first class to earn their pins since OTC took over the Reeds Spring program last summer. The ceremony will be June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Reeds Spring Middle School auditorium.

“There’s as large a demand here for nursing as anywhere, especially with Skaggs Hospital here,” said Sheila Kaylor, the practical nursing program coordinator for OTC. She said the program located in Stone County is in great demand, drawing students from Blue Eye, Hartville, Fordland and Monett.

“It gives students an opportunity to get into the program here although there are only so many seats available,” Kaylor said.

After graduating, the nurses will eligible to take the test to become a licensed practical nurse, Kaylor said.

The takeover by OTC of the program previously operated by the Reeds Spring school district has been a win-win for everyone, Kaylor said.

“It’s be an overall benefit for the student in that they can earn college credit now. When they become LPNs, their salary will increase 50 percent depending on where they go to work,” she said.

Theresa Inman of Aurora looks forward to spending time with her children for a while and Danielle Osborne of Fordland plans to continue her education and get work toward four-year nursing degree.

Inman, 34, said she worked, went to school and raised her family as a single mother and it was worth it.

“This pinning means I’ve done something I set out to do 18 years ago,” she said.

Osborne will have a large rooting section at the ceremony.

“This is a huge accomplishment for me,” said Osborne, 34, a first-generation college student, who has a husband and two children. “I planned to go to nursing school after raising a family. I wanted to be a good example for the kids. They will all be cheering for me.”

 Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College