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Mother of three receives Florence Nightingale award at NHC’s nursing pinning ceremony

On May 8, more than 90 uniformed nursing students created a cloud of white among 1,000 attendees of family, friends, and numerous college faculty and staff at North Harris College’s annual associate’s degree nursing pinning ceremony held on May 8 at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.  

NHC nursing students, who received pins at this year’s ceremony, became part of history–both of the legacies of the highly respected NHC nursing program, which has been in existence for more than 25 years, and of the tradition of the nursing pin, which dates back more than 1,000 years.

The nursing pin dates back to the Crusades in Europe when many knights became nurses and joined military nursing orders that treated the sick and wounded. The knights wore black tunics over their armor, carried no weapons and wore white Maltese crosses around their necks, elements often featured on today’s nursing pins.

The special award of the evening was the Florence Nightingale Award given to nursing graduate, Nancy Waguespack. Waguespack, 49, and a mother of three, is originally from Canada and was a registered practicing nurse there when she moved to Louisiana because of her husband’s work. In Louisiana, she continued nursing. Later the family moved to Texas. When her children, Kim, Katie, and Kevin were young, she chose to be a stay at home mom. With her children now grown and the youngest, Kevin at Sam Houston University, her passion for nursing returned. But, because she had been out of nursing for so long, the State of Texas would not recognize her earlier credentials and required her to retake all of her nursing courses and testing if she wanted to return to her profession.

For the past three years, Waguespack was part of NHC’s nursing program and also became one of the top graduates of the class. Recognizing her passion, hard work and professionalism, she was given the nursing programs highest honors–the Florence Nightingale Award. Last week, Waguespack crossed a stage but at the same time has come full circle. Her son, Kevin, commented, “Mom is a tough example to follow. She was always pushing herself and all of us at the same time.”

For more information about NHC’s nursing program, call 281.618.5400.
 
North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. Registration for summer and fall 2007 is now in progress. For information, call 281.618.5400 or visit northharris.lonestar.edu.

NHMCCD, among the five largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprise, Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers, and The University Center.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/18/2007
CALENDAR LISTING: through June 4

For Media Inquiries Please Contact:

CeCe.Sutphen@lonestar.edu
281.618.5425 desk
281.618.7105 fax
281.639.6381 cell

 

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