School of Nursing Celebrates Spring Commencement, New Graduates

BATON ROUGE, La. – Thirty new nurses recently graduated from Baton Rouge General’s School of Nursing (SON) during its spring commencement, joining the legion of talented nurses who have completed BRG’s program since 1984.

During the May 9 ceremony at Independence Park Theatre, the graduates received their diplomas after completing all required nursing courses and hands-on experience with seasoned practitioners during clinical rotations. Upon graduation from the diploma nursing program, graduates are prepared to take the registered nurse license exam (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN).

During the ceremony, several honors were presented to students:

• Excellence in Maternal-Child Nursing – Savannah Watts
• Excellence in Management/Leadership – Janece Lotten-Ross
• Excellence in Mental Health Nursing – Jade Narcisse
• Excellence in Medical Surgical Nursing – Katheleen Shoptaugh
• Excellence in Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing – Charisma Jones
• Faculty Award for Scholastic Achievement – Amber Hutchinson
• Faculty Award for Student Excellence – Savannah Watts
• Garnie Belvin Eggers Award – Alacia Spears
• Grace Hough Award – Bailey Hendricks
• Kari Lefort Award – Ashlynn Blades

Most of BRG’s new graduates begin their careers at Baton Rouge General in the Telemetry, Oncology, and on medical and surgical units. After entering nursing, many graduates have gone on to earn Bachelors, Master’s, and doctorate degrees, and many work in management or leadership positions, or as nurse practitioners and educators.

The BRG School of Nursing Class of Spring 2023:

Kristina Nicole Barton

Ashlynn Richelle Blades

Kalee Joyce Boyd

Ashlee Nicole Dean

Sotheavorn Deshotel

Abbey Eloise Devillier

Tameka Borne Dumas

Chelsea Sharnae Eames

LaTrica Lynette Fluence

Tiffany Sheleece Harris

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hillman

Bailey Elizabeth Hendricks

Amber Cecile Hutchinson

Ezmarelda Irmarie Jenkins

Charisma James Jones

Hannah McGuire Keltner

Jade Monique Narcisse

AnnaClark Shields Regan

Vanyti-Alyce Marie-Theresa Rodriquez

Janece Javae’ Lotten-Ross

Emily Turner Simon

Katheleen Shoptaugh

Alacia R. Spears

Paulette Renee St. Julien

Jessica Williams Stevenson

Hallie Faye Waddell

Savannah K. Watts

Tho Ho Weber

Tori Williams

Justina Woodside

BRG’s School of Nursing recently earned re-accreditation for the next eight-year period. It is frequently recognized by the LSBN for its 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, the BRG School of Nursing has maintained an overall pass rate above 95% throughout its 35-year history. The school has also seen growth in its licensed practical nurse (LPN) mobility program, which fast-tracks the process for LPNs to become RNs.

Applications are being accepted through May 15 for Fall 2023 admission, and through October 14 for January 2024 admission. For information, click here or call (225) 387-7623.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.

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