Chattahoochee Technical College graduated its first class of 18 associate degree nurses in June.
“It was a proud moment for me,” said Quetina Pittman, RN, MSN, interim director of the program. “I loved seeing that ‘Ah-hah, we did it’ look on their faces.”
For some, the road to graduation had its challenges. When students showed up in her office discouraged about making it through the program, Pittman explained concepts, demonstrated skills and encouraged them.
“If you were meant to be a nurse, you’ll succeed but you have to be willing to put in the work,” she’d tell them.
Getting into the associate degree nursing program at Chattahoochee Tech is competitive. Pittman is expecting about 300 applications for the 40 to 45 slots in the Fall 2012 class.
Prospective nursing students need to score well on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam and have a 3.0 or higher GPA in core classes. They also must complete prerequisite courses such as anatomy and physiology, and introduction to microbiology.
Nursing students learn how to assess, for care for and educate patients and their families. The five-semester program, which includes theory and skills classes and clinical rotations in health care facilities, introduces students to various specialties, including OB/GYN, pediatrics, mental health and medical/surgical nursing.
Students also take a leadership course and a class to prepare for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) that graduates must pass to practice as registered nurses.
“It takes determination to get through nursing school,” Pittman said. “You need a caring personality and a good science background.
“You’ll have to be flexible because health care is constantly changing. It helps to be able to multitask and to have good family support for the rigors of nursing school, but at the end of the road, you’ll enter a wonderful, fulfilling career.”
Nurses make up the largest segment of the health care work force. Until recently, there was a shortage of workers.
“Recruiters say that it’s a tougher job market right now, but health care is growing and my students will find their place,” Pittman said. “We tell them to go where the door opens, so that they can get the experience they need. About 15 percent are already employed.”
The long-term job prospects are excellent. Nursing employment is expected to grow by 22 percent (or 581,500 new jobs) through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Starting salaries are about $22 to $25 an hour.
In addition to teaching, Pittman works part time as an intensive care and emergency room nurse. Nursing allows her to keep her skills sharp and to bring real-world experience to the classroom. Whether she’s practicing nursing or teaching future nurses, Pittman knows she has an impact on patients’ lives.
“An associate degree prepares a nurse to enter the job market at a reasonable education cost [about $6,000 for the degree], but we encourage our students to go on for their bachelor’s degree, to grow with their profession and give back,” Pittman said. “Nurses can take so many different career paths.”
Chattahoochee Tech will host a nursing program information session at its Austell campus on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. For information, call 770-528-4492 or go to www.chattahoocheetech.edu.
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