The graduation may have been virtual, but the recognition was personal for graduates of The College of the Florida Keys’ nursing program, who recited their Nurses Pledge together via video conference on May 1, the day the college had scheduled its commencement ceremony for the 75 students completing various degree programs.
The day held a special significance for the newly minted registered nurses, many of whom will soon join their veteran counterparts on the front lines of the battle to vanquish a virus.
Reinforcements have arrived — untested, but well-trained and eager for experience.
The traditional recitation of the Nurses Pledge preceded a virtual commencement speech by Jonathan Gueverra, the college president, who donned his academic regalia for the digital address.
“For many of you, this pandemic is the second major catastrophe you are enduring as a college student,” Gueverra said. “While life changed dramatically after Hurricane Irma, and it almost came to a standstill during this pandemic, you have persevered. You will endure and you shall be part of the generation that will show the world how to survive, thrive, endure and excel.”
On the afternoon of their commencement, the novice nurses received a warm welcome to the workforce from nurses and other employees at Lower Keys Medical Center, across the street from the college.
“Lower Keys Medical Center held a socially distant, drive-by celebration in the hospital parking lot to honor the future nurses,” said college spokeswoman Amber Ernst-Leonard. “The graduates rode by in decorated vehicles to cheers from nurses holding celebratory signs.”
Hospital nurses and other employees typically get to know the nursing students personally, as the hospital hosts hours of clinical training for the student nurses and employs students, college faculty and graduates of the nursing program.
One of the nursing graduates in fact already works at Lower Keys Medical Center.
Amy Dees has been a respiratory therapist for more than 20 years and will now add the letters “RN” to her name.
“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has emerged as a leader at LKMC working in respiratory care in the ICU,” Gueverra said in his address. “Even while working around the clock, the Navy wife and mother of two remained a full-time student and finished her degree this spring. With a nursing degree, she will make an even larger impact on the health of her patients.”
Dees thanked the college and her network of educators and fellow students for her achievement.
“The timing of COVID caused quite a bit of disruption in my final semester,” Dees said. “I had to turn my full attention to maintaining the safety of the ICU, ER and respiratory staff. I’ll be honest, I wanted to put school on hold so I could focus on best patient outcomes while keeping my staff and the nurses at the hospital safe.
“If not for this amazing group of future nurses, I wouldn’t have made it. It took a group of amazing educators, students, families and friends to get me to graduation, and for this I am forever indebted.”
The college commencement took place in time for National Nurses Day on May 6, another tradition that acquired a special significance.
Meanwhile, the battle continues…
