Danville Regional Medical Center’s School of Health Professions Nursing Program will graduate 31 students June 5 at 7 p.m. at Blessed Hope Baptist Church.
DRMC’s Nursing program is one of the oldest in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is unique in that it is owned and operated by the hospital.  Students benefit from classroom and clinical settings for real-life experiences. 
“This class is very unique,” said Kamela Deel, Director of the Nursing Program.  “They have been the first for a lot of experiences, such as changes in our grading scale, the first to utilize some web-based learning activities in their freshman year, and the first to use our simulation lab for scenarios regarding Core Measures.  They work as a team and have put forth the effort and determination to succeed.”
Several of the graduating students have been hired by DRMC and other Virginia hospitals, with the remaining graduates preparing for NCLEX-RN, the state board examination for licensure.  Winners of various awards will be announced at the ceremony.
Students Jessica Carrington and Dee Dee Gregory are excited about graduating from DRMC’s Nursing Program. 
Carrington chose DRMC because of its convenience and proximity to home.
“DRMC’s Nursing Program has an excellent educational reputation,” said Carrington.  “I was the only LPN-RN student entering the class of 2009.  I was very excited and nervous due to the fact I was entering into an environment where relationships were already established.  Everyone made me feel so welcome, and my experience at DRMC was fast-paced and busy.”
Carrington also felt the faculty strived to make students successful and prepared to practice in the field of nursing.
Dee Dee Gregory agrees that DRMC’s Nursing Program has prepared her to succeed as a nurse after graduation. 
“DRMC’s Nursing Program has been a great environment and puts students in a varieyt of clinical settings, offering the best opportunities to learn,” said Gregory.  “I chose DRMC because of its reputation and felt confident it would prepare me for the state boards.”
“We are proud to see these dedicated students reach this high academic achievement,” commented DRMC CEO Jerel Humphrey.  “This group of students has worked dilligently to excel at their studies and graduate from this program.  These students have continued to provide great care to their neighbors in the Dan River region while at DRMC and will continue to do so in the future,” added Humphrey.