NCCC celebrates Hybrid Nursing Program graduates

SARANAC LAKE | North Country Community College honored the graduates of its 2025 Associate Degree in Nursing Hybrid Program during a pinning ceremony held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium in Saranac Lake. The auditorium was filled to capacity with family members, friends, and college faculty and staff, who all gathered to celebrate the graduates' achievements and entry into the nursing profession. The pinning ceremony, one of nursing's most meaningful traditions, marked the culmination of an intensive journey for the graduates, many of whom balanced coursework with jobs, families, and other responsibilities through the program's format of online classes and weekend and evening clinical rotations. Stephanie Cassell, an adjunct faculty member, opened the ceremony, welcoming attendees and reflecting on the significance of the pinning tradition, which dates back to Florence Nightingale. Cassell emphasized that the pin represents not only academic accomplishment, but also a promise to uphold the highest standards of nursing, advocate for patients, and serve with compassion and courage. "The pin you will receive today is not simply a piece of jewelry," Cassell said. "It represents who you have become and the commitment you make to every patient, every family, and every critical moment." College President Joe Keegan highlighted the hybrid nursing program as an intentional effort to expand access to nursing education for working adults and those balancing family and professional obligations. Now in its second year, the program has exceeded expectations, he said, while addressing a critical regional need. "Our communities are anxiously awaiting you," Keegan told the graduates. "Nursing is both art and science. You care for body and soul, and we urge you to carry forward what you've learned here for the good of your patients and their families." Adjunct instructor Jaclyn Farrington served as guest speaker, offering a candid and heartfelt reflection on the rigor of the hybrid program and the resilience shown by the students. She acknowledged the sacrifices made by both students and their families and praised the graduates for developing not only clinical knowledge, but also discipline, accountability, and heart. Class speaker Jennifer O'Shea spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates, recounting the shared challenges of nursing school, from long commutes to clinical sites and late-night studying to balancing work, family, and school. She thanked instructors for their unwavering support and emphasized the strong sense of community that developed within the cohort. "We didn't just survive nursing school — we did it together," O'Shea said. "We became a family." During the ceremony, nursing faculty member Amy Sloan presented the 2025 Associate Degree in Nursing Award for Excellence to Kiah Poupore, recognizing her academic achievement, compassion, and perseverance. Following the presentation of pins by Stephanie Cassell and Alexis Cassell, student Brittanie Maknani led the graduates in reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to ethical practice, patient advocacy, lifelong learning, and professional integrity. Stephanie Cassell closed the ceremony by congratulating the Class of 2025 and acknowledging the vital role of families and supporters. "You are ready, and you are never alone," she said. "You belong to this profession now, and this profession is better because of all of you." The 2025 ADN Hybrid graduates will now prepare to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination as they begin their careers serving communities across the North Country and beyond.

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NCCC celebrates Hybrid Nursing Program graduates

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