Lee Trawick
Riverbend News
On Thursday, Dec. 16, RIVEROAK Technical College held a capping ceremony for graduating Licensed Practical Nursing students at the Live Oak Church of God. This capping ceremony is significant for nursing students, as it is a gesture to show they are now qualified to partake in nursing duties in a clinical setting. Although they are still in school, they are educated enough to learn from real-life scenarios in real time. The capping ceremony is also significant for nurses, as it proves they are committed to the nursing profession. These students were not called to on by RIVEROAK or any hospital to serve; they’ve felt the call within themselves to do something more profound. They’ve chosen to stand over a newborn with a watchful eye, because the new mother is too exhausted to keep her eyes open. They’ve chosen to sit in a patient's room, holding the hand of someone they barely know until their hand goes numb, so someone doesn't have to pass on alone. They’ll share tears with families when a hug can't express the pain they may be going through; they’ll laugh and smile at the little victories of someone opening their eyes or squeezing their hands. But most of all, a nurse is a nurse because they were called for a purpose long before they knew. On Thursday, Dec. 16, RIVEROAK Technical College was proud to cap tomorrow's angels.