The Next Class Of Frontline Nurses

Kingsborough Community College Graduates The Next Class Of Frontline Nurses

Forty-six Kingsborough Community College (KCC) students took the Nightingale Pledge at the fall hybrid nurses pinning ceremony on December 15, marking the end of their training as registered nurses.

“This class has shown us that strength, courage, and unity can overcome any challenge,” noted incoming KCC Nursing Club President Ityel Gronstein, acknowledging that the Class of January 2022 trained entirely during the pandemic. “From weak internet connections to a global pandemic, we have seen this class get past any obstacle.”

“The highly regarded Kingsborough nursing program is one of our most rigorous during the best of times,” said Provost Joanne Russell. “This past year, our nursing students have faced challenges that no other class has had to face. They persisted and excelled, despite the tremendous adjustments they had to make in the program and in their personal lives.”

“A good nurse is knowledgeable, skilled, and able. A great nurse looks beyond the physical needs of a patient: They look at the mental, emotional, and the spiritual,” observed Associate Provost Dr. Sharon Warren Cook. “A great nurse eases the suffering of each patient with bravery, with kindness, with compassion. There is no doubt that each of you will be great nurses.”

“Caring is the essence of nursing,” Nursing Department Chair Maggie Weeks reminded the graduates. “We have all witnessed the care nurses have shown during the past two years. Each day, the concern and selfless dedication of the nurses on the front line provides us with a reminder of how important nursing is to society. You are now entering into this great profession and I’m sure that each and every one of you will be able to demonstrate the same care and concern we have witnessed from nurses during this pandemic.”

With pride, she noted that students – and faculty – had adapted quickly to a virtual world, excelling at their online labs and clinical experiences when in-person classes were suspended. “Your journey as nursing students was definitely unprecedented, as you are the first class to graduate after going through the entire nursing program during this pandemic.”

Weeks congratulated the students’ heroic accomplishment of passing their classes while caring and homeschooling their children, not being able to be with loved ones during illnesses and sudden deaths – and some recovering from the virus themselves. “Today is a testament of your ability to rise to any challenge,” she added.

Several KCC students were awarded scholarships for going above and beyond: James Gilmartin was awarded the Rita Guiffre Award; Rita Bartalis, the Nursing Alumni Scholarship Award; Victoria Grazi, the Gitel Kleinbart and Doris Schuldman Scholarship Award; and Marija Miljanic, the Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island Award.

Class of 2022 Graduate Victoria Grazi closed the program by reminding students of a message sent by KCC President Dr. Claudia Schrader. “As Dr. Schrader said in one of her many motivational emails: ‘We’ve reached the light at the end of the tunnel, but the light we see is really our future shining bright.’ As we embark on our nursing journey, don’t forget all that was taught to us in this program. Aside from the skills, assessments, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluations, remember to always keep your honesty, integrity, and compassion in the front lines, because at the end of the day, that’s the priority.”

For information about enrolling in the KCC nursing program, contact the Admissions Information Center at 718-368-4600.

Stay Connected

Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Alumni
College
Students
06/14/21