DOWNINGTOWN —Friends and family gathered on March 16 to congratulate 14 new licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on their graduation from the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Practical Nursing Program (PNP).
The graduates were composed of full-time students from the Downingtown program.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Career, Technical & Customized Education administrator Michael Katch. Katch offered his congratulations to the graduates and reaffirmed the CCIU’s commitment to PNP.
The full-time cohort is the 120th class to graduate from the Downingtown program.
The Practical Nursing Program’s director, Nancy Haughton, presented the graduates, including the Downingtown cohort co-valedictorians Kayla Draper and Rachel Dupree and salutatorian Larissa Wilkins.
Downingtown’s class president, Jonelle Beckley, lead the class in the Practical Nursing Pledge and then introduced the guest speaker, Jen Madden, an LPN, who is an Operations Supervisor for Behavior Wellness and Recovery, and an alumni of the LPN program. In her remarks, Madden told her story of how being in the United States Army helped her realize her passion for helping others. Madden currently uses her LPN training to give professional discussions on post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction recovery.
Following Madden’s remarks, six students were inducted into the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. Honor Society.
To learn more about the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s Practical Nursing Program, visit www.chestercountynursing.org.