Celebrations are being planned nationwide in recognition of National Nurses Week May 6-12 and the American Nurses Association is proud to celebrate the role nurses play in delivering the highest level of quality care to their patients. The 2015 theme “Ethical Practice. Quality Care.” recognizes the importance of ethics in nursing and acknowledges the strong commitment, compassion, and care nurses display in their practice and profession.
Gadsden State Community College is proudly represented by the upcoming graduation of 129 registered nursing students, 26 (20%) of whom are male students. The national average of male registered nurses is 9.6% according to a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau. According to Belinda Fuller, nursing instructor, “Two of the 26 graduates are currently licensed practical nurses and five are currently licensed in the emergency medical field. The remainder will receive their initial degree as a registered nurse in May.”
Nursing instructor Belinda Fuller added, “We are proud of all of our graduates, but especially proud of these 26 young men who have moved beyond the stereotypes associated with nursing and endured an all-female faculty along the way. We’ve never had this number of male students to graduate in one class and it has been quite an honor to teach them.”
The Alabama Community College System supplies 69% of the state’s nurses who accept positions in hospitals, primary care and specialty clinics, ambulatory centers, public health and other healthcare facilities. Gadsden State salutes the nursing faculty, students, and graduates who are making a difference in the health care of the community. For more information about the nursing programs, please visit www.gadsdenstate.edu or call 256-549-8257.