From left, Sloan Donnelly, Katelyn Darrah, and Chelsea Beitz recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge in the Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium on Sat. Dec. 14 after being pinned as graduates of North Country Community College’s new hybrid AAS Nursing program. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — The first graduates of North Country Community College’s new hybrid nursing program were celebrated this past weekend at their pinning ceremony in the Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium.

The 29 students who walked across the stage Saturday morning in front of a packed house of family and friends have all been working as licensed practical nurses, some for as long as 15 years.

Traditionally, the path to become a registered nurse at North Country starts in the fall semester and ends in the spring, with in-person classes and weekday clinical shifts.

These students were able to get their Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing through a flexible, hybrid program that began in January, featured online classes and weekend/evening clinical rotations, and ended this month.

“You’ve not only earned your place here today, but you have paved the way for future nursing students in this unique program,” said Tana Hare, director of the college’s nursing program. “This is a proud moment for all of us, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with all of you today.”

“You now join a community of over 50 years of professionals (from the college) that have gone out and helped families and patients, and made our communities a healthier place to be,” added college President Joe Keegan.

The class had selected Stephanie Cassell, one of their adjunct nursing instructors, as a guest speaker. She told the students to embrace the challenges they will face with the same determination that got them to this point.

“You didn’t merely survive the rigors of nursing school,” Cassell said. “You thrived in an innovative online program that demanded flexibility resilience and determination. You are proof that passion and commitment know no boundaries.”

Chelsea Beitz, the class speaker, thanked the college’s nursing faculty as well as all the family and friends who supported the graduates along the way.

“This year has been extremely challenging,” Beitz said. “I commend you all on working through the tough days and nights. You’ve chosen a challenging but incredibly rewarding path. There will be hard days ahead, but there will also be moments of joy, triumph, and deep satisfaction.”

Prior to the presentation of pins, the ADN Excellence Award was presented to Kyli Meeks. The ceremony closed with the graduates reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge to “devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

A total of 30 students are enrolled in North Country’s next hybrid AAS Nursing class which will begin in January.

Local graduates include:

¯ Kristy Lanthier of Bloomingdale

¯ Sarah Lawrence of Lake Placid

¯ Kyli Meeks of Ray Brook

¯ Gabrielle Schneider of Tupper Lake

¯ Chelsea Smith of Tupper Lake

¯ Samantha White of Bloomingdale