School of Nursing Graduation Brings New Nurses to Baton Rouge Community

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

During the Oct. 24 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 Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing – Ashley Bosch
• Excellence in Maternal-Child Nursing – Anna O’Neal
• Excellence in Management/Leadership – Kenyatta Lathers and Asauni Moore
• Excellence in Mental Health Nursing – Melissa McLin
• Excellence in Medical Surgical Nursing – Shanara Batiste
• Faculty Award for Scholastic Achievement – Madison Bercegeay
• Faculty Award for Student Excellence – Lindsey Lyles
• Anne Manson Award – Madison Bercegeay
• Garnie Eggars Award – Riasia Winslow
• Grace Hough Award – Anna Jordan
• Kari Lefort Award – Shaina Cardello

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 Fall 2024:

Hayley Nicole Austin

Shanara R. Batiste

Olivia Bell-Hanegan

Madison Leigh Bercegeay

Ashley Elizabeth Bosch

Joshua David Bruner

Shaina Cardello

Damaris C. Clark

Lori Ellis

Emily Dell Garnett

Jacqueline Sage Gerald

Maci Jo’leigh Hooge

Anna Heaven Jordan

Skylar McKenzie Kelley

Kenyetta Nashay Lathers

Allison June LeBlanc

Brittany Naquin Liebert

Lindsey Kaye Liles

Melissa Grace McLin

Jaylen Michael Molere

Asauni La’Shae Moore

Layla Renee Morris

Ma’Kaylah Ashanti Myles

Anna Grace O’Neal

Erika Madison Pasqua

Hailey Smith

Kiara De’veShaun Smith

Mia Cipriana Tranchina

Riasia De’Nae Winslow

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, and 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.

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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