Tag Nursing

SSC Nursing Students to Receive Specialized Training

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma SANE Program Administrator Chrissie Boatman speaks to Seminole State College nursing leadership students.

Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma SANE Program Administrator Chrissie Boatman spoke to Seminole State College nursing leadership students about the role of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in caring for survivors of sexual assault on Oct. 22 in the nursing lab on the first floor of the Kelly Haney Center.

In this photo, Lethality Assessment Coordinators Scott Hawkins, David Folkert and Jaiden Balthrop-Russell speak to nursing students during an on campus training.

SSC nursing students participated in four hours of Lethality Assessment Protocol and Victimology training Oct. 22 in the Kelly Haney Center Lecture Hall. The training counted toward students’ required clinical hours and provided insight into available resources and coordinated responses to individuals experiencing violence. Pictured: Lethality Assessment Coordinators Scott Hawkins, David Folkert and Jaiden Balthrop-Russell speak to nursing students during the training.

In this photo, pictured from left, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee Clinical Educator Karen Romine, House Supervisor Mary Love and Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Nursing Butch Cantrell pose for a photo. The co-workers attended the Great 100 Nurses celebration Oct. 4 at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa, where Cantrell was honored among 100 Oklahoma nurses recognized for their compassion, contributions to nursing and mentorship.

SSC Instructor Named Among Oklahoma’s 100 Great Nurses

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Nursing Butch Cantrell’s path to nursing began with an offer from his wife: $100 if he would apply to nursing school.

At the time, he had spent about a decade working in church creative arts, handling music, audio and video. Nursing was not a career he had planned to pursue.

On Oct. 4, Cantrell was recognized among Oklahoma’s Great 100 Nurses during a celebration at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa. The Great 100 Nurses Foundation annually honors 100 registered nurses in the state for their concern for humanity, contributions to nursing and dedication to mentoring others.

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SSC Nursing Students Prepare for Fall Semester

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Jennifer Hull, Elsevier digital sales representative, speaks to students during the Elsevier informational portion of the Seminole State College nursing orientation.

Seminole State College nursing students attend orientation Aug. 11 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center lecture hall. Jennifer Hull, Elsevier digital sales representative, speaks to students during the Elsevier informational portion of the program. The day also included a nursing student handbook review, student ID preparation, a question-and-answer session, SSM Health overview and an LPN skills checkoff. SSC’s fall semester begins Aug. 17, and enrollment remains open for students preparing to start classes.

Lighting the Way for Service

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College held a pinning ceremony at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on May 10, following the college’s Commencement exercises for nursing students expected meet degree requirements this semester.  The pinning ceremony included candle lighting, signifying the transition from student to one of service.

In this photo, SSC Nursing Director Ann Benson presides over the Seminole State College Nursing pinning ceremony.

SSC Nursing Director Ann Benson presided over the ceremony.

In this photo, Students graduating from the program light candles during the pinning ceremony (pictured left to right) are: Whitney Zuck, Ashley Thompson, Shelbie Stephens, Riley Smith, Amanda Smith, Brittany Snolis-Hernandez, Maranda Green and Tabitha Dandridge.

Students graduating from the program (pictured left to right) are: Whitney Zuck, Ashley Thompson, Shelbie Stephens, Riley Smith, Amanda Smith, Brittany Snolis-Hernandez, Maranda Green and Tabitha Dandridge.

SSC Nursing Students Puts Skills to the Test in Rural Hospital Drill

Josh Hutton
In this photo, several Seminole State College nursing students are shown in action as they participate in a simulation training event.

Seminole State College nursing students participated in a simulation training event on March 25, working through a rural hospital scenario in which patients overwhelmed the facility and staff had to make rapid decisions with limited personnel and resources. The exercise included emergency room triage and patient transfers to medical-surgical, intensive care unit, obstetrics/pediatrics, helicopter transport or discharge home, challenging students to quickly assess each patient’s condition and determine the highest priority for care.

In this photo, Assistant Professor of Nursing Butch Cantrell, assists several Seminole State College nursing students during a simulation training event on March 25.

SSC seniors in the Leadership class managed the rural hospital drill organized by Assistant Professor of Nursing Butch Cantrell, giving students a culminating opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout the program. The exercise challenged participants to draw on classroom learning and use critical thinking in real time, helping prepare them for the demands of their future nursing careers.

Oklahoma Board of Nursing Approves SSC’s Appeal, Lifting Admission Restrictions

Josh Hutton
Seminole State College nursing faculty and staff pose for a celebratory photo after the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s decision to allow the institution to admit new students. Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor Ann Benson, Assistant Professor Brenda Hudson, Assistant Nursing Program Director Damaila Lester, Office Manager Julie Mathews, Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Misty Gray, Assistant Professor Miranda Stewart, Assistant Professor Jessica Shelburne, Assistant Professor Christine Clay, Academic Advisor Carmen Hutchins.
Seminole State College nursing faculty and staff celebrate the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s decision to allow the institution to admit new students. Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor Ann Benson, Assistant Professor Brenda Hudson, Assistant Nursing Program Director Damaila Lester, Office Manager Julie Mathews, Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Misty Gray, Assistant Professor Miranda Stewart, Assistant Professor Jessica Shelburne, Assistant Professor Christine Clay, Academic Advisor Carmen Hutchins.

Seminole State College has announced the reinstatement of admissions to its nursing program following the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s approval of an appeal on Nov. 14. The decision comes after the program was placed on conditional status in November 2023 due to three consecutive years of low student pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This restriction prohibited the college from admitting new students but did not impact those already enrolled.

The college’s successful appeal reflects a year-long effort to address the program’s challenges, including significant curriculum updates, the construction of a new state-of-the-art simulation lab and enhanced benchmarking for students. The program had a successful site visit by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) in September of 2024, which confirmed the program’s improvements. SSC’s cumulative NCLEX pass rate for 2024 has risen to 88 percent, compared to the state average of 87 percent..

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SSC nursing students pose for a group photo joined by local and state agencies after participating in a disaster response training.

SSC Nursing Partners with Local Agencies for Disaster Training Event

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College nursing students got a hands-on experience in disaster response on Feb. 28 at the softball field parking lot on campus. Nursing students worked alongside local agencies to respond to a simulated school bus wreck.

The scenario was designed to test the students’ ability to assess the situation and work alongside other first responders to triage and treat patients. The students acted as nurses, while volunteers played the roles of injured bus passengers.

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Pictured are December graduates of the Seminole State College nursing program.

SSC Nursing Grads Achieve Perfect Pass Rate

Josh Hutton

December 2023 graduates of the Seminole State College nursing program recently achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

The NCLEX is an exam used to determine if recently graduated nursing students are safe to practice. Nurses are required to pass the NCLEX to earn licensure and legally practice nursing. In 2022, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing reported that the average pass rate of the NCLEX in the state was 78.67 percent, while the national average was 79.93 percent.

“We are so proud of the hard work and determination of these students,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said. “Our nursing faculty equip our graduates with the knowledge, skills and values they need to provide high-quality care to their patients.”

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Fall Pinning Ceremony Marks Milestone for SSC Students

Josh Hutton
Nursing students expected to meet degree requirements this semester are pictured holding candles during this year's pinning ceremony.

Seminole State College held a pinning ceremony at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on Dec. 7 for 15 nursing students expected to meet degree requirements this semester. The pinning ceremony also included candle lighting, signifying the transition from student to one of service. Since the nursing program began in 1972, nearly 1,100 nurses have launched their careers at SSC.

Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor of Nursing Shelby Parsons, Nursing Program Office Manager Julie Mathews, Former Nursing Director Crystal Bray, Assistant Nursing Professor Ann Benson, Jami Hammond, Connor Martin, Assistant Professor of Nursing Damaila Lester, Assistant Professor of Nursing Miranda Stewart and Assistant Professor of Nursing Jessica Shelburne. Middle Row: Cheyanne Lee, Rebecca Smith, Shelly Teape, Kerra Pack, Presleigh Casteel, Serrenity Rezentes and Jada Hill. Front Row: Tina Buckmaster, Abigail Gilliam, Tara Gaines-Manship, Hayley Dale, Tosha Johnson, Casey Visnieski and Stephanie Newburn.

Nursing graduates and nursing faculty and staff pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor of Nursing Shelby Parsons, Nursing Program Office Manager Julie Mathews, Former Nursing Director Crystal Bray, Assistant Nursing Professor Ann Benson, Jami Hammond, Connor Martin, Assistant Professor of Nursing Damaila Lester, Assistant Professor of Nursing Miranda Stewart and Assistant Professor of Nursing Jessica Shelburne. Middle Row: Cheyanne Lee, Rebecca Smith, Shelly Teape, Kerra Pack, Presleigh Casteel, Serrenity Rezentes and Jada Hill. Front Row: Tina Buckmaster, Abigail Gilliam, Tara Gaines-Manship, Hayley Dale, Tosha Johnson, Casey Visnieski and Stephanie Newburn.

Presleigh Casteel (right) poses with her daughter Isabel (left) prior to the pinning ceremony. Casteel was the recipient of this semester’s Spirit of Nursing Award. The award is given to a student demonstrates academic excellence and embodies the values of SSC’s nursing program.

Presleigh Casteel (right) poses with her daughter Isabel (left) prior to the pinning ceremony. Casteel was the recipient of this semester’s Spirit of Nursing Award. The award is given to a student demonstrates academic excellence and embodies the values of SSC’s nursing program.