BOCES School of Practical Nursing Graduates 27

Kamina Grant, Newburgh, Deepti Mannan, and Ashley Brady, both of Poughkeepsie, and Tracy Maendel, Ulster Park, wait for the beginning of their long-awaited Ulster BOCES Practical Nursing graduation ceremony. The event was held Tuesday, June 19 at the Port Ewen campus.

PORT EWEN – After 1,200 hours of rigorous classroom and clinical instruction, 27 graduates of the Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center’s School of Practical Nursing took the Florence Nightingale Pledge, committing to fulfill the requirements of being a practical nurse.
Graduates received their certificates and pins during a candle lighting ceremony in the gymnasium at the Ulster BOCES campus in Port Ewen on June 19.

With their families, friends, and instructors in attendance, the students, who came from areas throughout the Hudson Valley, celebrated their hard work and sacrifice with all attending, including the Ulster BOCES Board of Education.

Ashley Brady of Poughkeepsie said the program was challenging and demanding, but the efforts required to reach her goal were more than worth it. “I have learned and continue to learn so much everyday. I am beyond excited about graduation and the completion of this journey. I feel I have and continue to grow in areas of education, knowledge, and personal strength, all thanks to the Ulster BOCES Practical Nurse program, as well as the efforts, dedication, guidance, and shared knowledge from my instructors and mentors, Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Kennedy.”

Tracy Maendel of Ulster Park, Yamilet Tirado (second row), and Kamina Grant, both of Newburgh, look on during their Ulster BOCES Practical Nursing graduation ceremony. The event was held Tuesday, June 19 at the Port Ewen campus.

Alissa Blough says she was inspired to become a nurse after seeing how one positive, compassionate nurse can change a patient’s health care experience. “I wanted to be that nurse. I feel that this profession, like not many others, provides opportunities to care for and respect individuals no matter who they are and may otherwise be treated. I view nursing as a calling, not just a job,” says the Ulster Park resident.

Ulster BOCES Practical Nurse students go to a variety of clinical sites and learn to insert IV lines and catheters, help with activities of daily living, administer medication, and give injections, as well as other necessary skills. The program is designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN Examination for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

For anyone interested in pursuing a career in practical nursing, contact the Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center at (845) 331-5050.

Ulster BOCES
Practical Nurse 2018 Graduates:

Ulster County
Lori Alarcon, Kingston
Alissa Blough, Ulster Park
Marquita Byrd, Kingston
Jesus Castellanos, Highland
Alyssa Foti, Gardiner
Myra Harris, New Paltz
Tiffany Johnson, Plattekill
Diamond Jones, Kingston
Jamie Hasbrouck, Kingston
Tracy Maendel, Ulster Park
Marie Mullings, Kingston
Lucia Scavo, Highland
Brittany Swinbourne, Stone Ridge

Orange County
Divine Earth, Newburgh
Jennie Fazio, Newburgh
Kamina Grant, Newburgh
Yamilet Tirado, Newburgh

Dutchess County
Roselyn Butler, Pleasant Valley
Jazmin Coleman, Poughkeepsie
Deepti Mannan, Poughkeepsie
LaVon McGreggor, Poughkeepsie
Ashley Brady, Poughkeepsie
Jennifer Santos-Hernandez, Poughkeepsie
Kori Vitolo, Stanfordville
Laticia Usher, Poughkeepsie

Columbia County
Brianna Jennings, Hudson
Jennifer Nicolich, Elizaville

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