FORT BLISS, Texas - In the mid-19th century during the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale, known as "The Lady with the Lamp," was so dedicated to nursing that she would tend to wounded troops by candlelight at night.
Thirty-one Soldiers joined the lineage of dedicated nursing professionals during William Beaumont Army Medical Center's Practical Nurse Course (PNC) Class 15-003 graduation ceremony at the Hope Chapel, Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 2.
The course teaches Soldiers to provide first-line trauma care on the battlefield, perform as members of forward surgical teams, and function in expanded support roles in combat support hospitals and fixed medical facilities.
"It's a little challenging, because a lot of them come in with no medical background," said Lt. Col. Benjamin Stinson, director, PNC. "They have to adjust to the fast pace."
In just 59 weeks, Soldiers complete a rigorous required course of study that most colleges require two years or more to complete. The Soldiers are trained to the licensing standards of the Texas Board of Vocational Nursing Examiners.
"This has been a long program, and it seemed like this day would never come," said Stinson, while addressing the graduating class. "Your dedication has paid off."
There are two phases of study throughout the course. During Phase I, students engage in an intensive 13-week academic period at Fort Sam Houston before completing 46 weeks of practice at WBAMC for Phase II.
With a 93 percent overall grade, the honor graduate for Class 15-003 was Pfc. Kristofer Camm.
"This year has been extremely challenging," said Camm. "The Soldiers graduating today had the strength and fortitude to dig deep and find it within themselves to push forward through adversity and complete the mission."
The course trains students in the skills and knowledge necessary to become proficient as a licensed practical nursing specialist. Once graduated, Soldiers earn the Military Occupational Specialty of 68C and may take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and earn credentialing as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs).
"Most of these Soldiers have already taken their licensing exam and so far we have a 100 percent pass rate," said Stinson.
"The course was ridiculously hard," said Camm. "It was like going back to pre-school, we were learning to write all over again."
Camm, a 31-year-old native of Bristol, England, attained his U.S. citizenship two months ago while attending the course. He said a lot of off-duty studying and research was involved with his successful completion of the course.
Nursing has been a lifelong goal for Camm, as his father and sisters are also nurses. Being credentialed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is just the beginning of a career in medicine Camm wishes to pursue.
"It's always been something I've wanted to do," said Camm. "It was difficult back in England to go back to school but when I came here, the Army gave me an opportunity."
Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing, would welcome new nurses to the ranks with a candle-lighting ceremony upon their graduation.
In the tradition of nursing, the Soldiers and staff of Class 15-003 lit candles as a symbol of care and devotion to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing.
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