Greenwich woman a Florence Nightingale Student Nurse Award winner

LORAIN — Two Lorain County Community College nursing graduates — Heather Horn and Katelyn Moore — were recently named as the Florence Nightingale Student Nurse Award for Nursing Excellence winners during the recent December virtual nurses pinning ceremony at LCCC. Moore, of Greenwich, was named the winner from the LCCC nursing program at Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus and Horn, of Lorain, was named the winner from the LCCC main campus nursing program. There were 76 students who graduated from LCCC and 10 from BGSU Firelands in early December. LCCC nursing faculty voted on the winner for the award at each location. The award is given to a student who demonstrates excellence in the clinical area caring for patients and as an emerging professional. "Heather was a very conscientious and enthusiastic student. I have witnessed firsthand her caring bedside manner with the patients and development as a team player working well with RNs, staff, and other students," said LCCC Nursing Professor Chris Taylor. Horn, who has accepted a position at UH Elyria in the Cardiovascular ICU as a registered nurse, said winning the award confirms her decision to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. "It affirms that my basic core principles of treating people with dignity and respect align with my chosen profession, and this is the career I was meant to have all along," Horn said. "I am deeply humbled and honored to be thought of so highly by my professors." Horn also praised her LCCC instructors for challenging her to be the best nurse possible. "The education I received at LCCC prepared me for success in the current nursing environment. I am truly LCCC proud," she said. LCCC Firelands Nursing Professor Sue Bialorucki said Moore demonstrated compassion to patients and courtesy to instructors and fellow students. "Katelyn was diligent in the academic pursuit of her nursing degree and took advantage of learning opportunities as they arose," Bialorucki said. "She was a resource for other students on her team and carried a positive attitude and demeanor helping to encourage her classmates." Moore said winning the award at the BGSU Firelands campus took her completely by surprise. "I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this special award," Moore said. "Especially during a pandemic and graduating during the Year of the Nurse." She is currently working as a patient care technician in a local hospital while preparing to take the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. Moore echoed Horn's sentiments about her LCCC instructors and training. "The nursing program was a difficult journey but I feel like it has prepared me for success in entering the nursing profession. I am thankful for the great instructors and amazing classmates who helped each other get through this program, especially during a pandemic," Moore said. The nursing excellence award was created to recognize students who give back and exemplify the characteristics of Florence Nightingale. The well-known nurse focused her efforts on providing excellent care and developing professional training standards to improve the patients' outcome and health care experience through the 1860s after the establishment of her nursing school in London. "In just the last 10 years, more than 2,400 people have earned nursing degrees from LCCC. And because 85% of all LCCC graduates live and work in the region, the students trained in our programs become the nurses serving our community," said LCCC President Marcia Ballinger. "Each day, LCCC nursing alumni answer the call to help their friends, family, neighbors and strangers navigate some of the most challenging health issues. This is true every year, but it is especially true this year, in the Year of the Nurse and the year of COVID-19." Nursing pinning ceremonies are a long-standing tradition at nursing schools. The tradition became standard practice in U.S. nursing schools by 1916. The ceremony signifies the official acceptance into the sisterhood and brotherhood of nursing. LCCC's nursing program provides a pathway to get students started on a career in nursing. This includes a short-term certificate in State Tested Nurse Assisting and a one-year certificate in Practical Nursing (LPN). From there students can advance their career with either the traditional Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or the Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN to RN) options. Paramedics looking to switch to a nursing career can do so by earning the associate degree in nursing through the Paramedic to Registered Nursing option. Those in the BGSU Firelands area can enroll in the LCCC ADN or LPN to RN options at that location. LCCC's Nursing programs are designed to transfer seamlessly to these LCCC University Partnership programs for advanced training: bachelor of science in allied health from Youngstown State University and bachelor of science in nursing from both Ohio University and Western Governor's University along with a master's degree in nursing from Western Governor's University. For more information on the LCCC Nursing program, visit www.lorainccc.edu/ nursing