SHREVEPORT – “What makes this class special is that we did it together.”
Those were the words of LSU Shreveport nursing graduate Mysheika James, who represented the 16-member licensed practical nursing graduating class at Tuesday’s ceremony.
“We encouraged and supported one another,” said James, who was chosen by her classmates to speak at the ceremony. “We shared notes, snacks, more snacks, prayers, laughter and even tears.
“We walked in as strangers and we leave as sisters. In a world that sometimes underestimates women, we proved our strength. Many of us balanced school with work, family, motherhood and everyday life. We still showed up ready to learn and grow.”
LSUS LPN graduates completed a combined 1,540 hours of theoretical and practical nursing condensed into a calendar year and passed the NCLEX-PN exam.
“When we started this program 12 months ago, we knew it would be intense and demanding, but we didn’t know how strong, disciplined and resilient we would become,” James said. “Nursing school is not easy, it took our time, our weekends, our sleep, and sometimes even our peace of mind.
“But through every clinical, every late-night study session, every care plan, every moment we questioned ourselves, we kept going.”
Dr. Allen Grant, dean of the LSUS College of Education and Human Development, performed the Blessing of the Hands.
“This program is highly selective and highly rigorous and for good reason,” Grant said. “You are now qualified to perform some of the most important and meaningful work in our society.
“You stand at the forefront of cutting-edge healthcare. You are the hope for patients and their families at times of extreme uncertainty, and your work profoundly matters.”
These 16 graduates will enter a field in which their presence is extremely demanded.
With the entire nursing profession aging rapidly, including more than 40 percent of LPNs saying they intend to retire or leave the field in the next five years (2024 National Nursing Workforce Study), new graduates can break into and excel in the field.
Average hourly pay for LPNs in Shreveport is more than $24 per hour with top earners above $30 per hour.
Specific awards were given for the highest achieving student on the theoretical portion (Leondria Kelly) and the clinical portion (Mysheika James).
Three graduates didn’t miss one second of instruction over the course of the year, which included Trieauna Ashley, Shandrika Morris, and Queendestiny Snow.
Other members of the graduating class included Tia Betford, Destiny Booker, Asia Brooks, Samantha Brown, Akira Campbell, Jelisha Hart, Brandy Jones, Taylor Mitchell, Shemeka Morris, and Brianesha Walters.
LSUS LPN classes begin each January and August with the application process occurring a few months before the class start date.