Amanda Smith, GN

I know it's not a great picture - but it's all we've got!

Friday night was our pinning ceremony. Mom, Dad, Ashley, Grandma and John all came and joined in on the festivities. The tradition of the pinning ceremony was explained: Florence Nightingale gave her nursing students medals upon their graduation, and over time this has changed to a gold pin with the student's school on it. Each student was called on stage and was pinned by one of our nursing instructors. At the end of the ceremony we recited the nursing pledge and our instructors lit our Nightingale lamps as we left. They only told us that we'd be voting on a nursing student that we thought was a leader and had a Christian attitude. I assumed this would be the only award given out, but they gave out three others that were picked by the nursing faculty. I recieved the Nightingale award for outstanding clinical performance. This award is given to a student who has exemplary clinical skills as well as a high GPA and Christ-like attitude. It was quite a pleasant suprise to recieve such an honor! Everyone who recieved an award was given a small Bible in place of a plaque or certificate. I thought that was a wonderful idea because now my award is useful!

Saturday morning was graduation day. John's parents came up and joined us. I really appreciate that they took the time to drive up just for me. I was the last graduate to cross the stage since nursing is the last major and I'm the last in my nursing class, alphabetically. Since we only recieved Associate's degrees we had no hood, only a boring black gown and my gold magna cum laude cord. Next year we get hoods, so I'm definitely looking forward to that graduation. The gowns were hot and I ended up waiting for Mom to get to the reception forever because of a sudden downpour as they were getting ready to leave the auditorium (luckily I made it to the reception in the gym just in time!). By the time they got to me I was just ready to get that thing off and give it back! Mom said "We have to take pictures, this only happens once!" I quickly reminded her that it will all be happening again in a year, and the I'll have more decoration to show off!

I really appreciate all of the encouragement that I've recieved over these last three years. That's about the only thing that's kept me going!

I'm getting ready to head out for Gulf Shores in a little bit, but I'm going to try to get some more pictures up soon!