Good afternoon faculty, students, distinguished guests and families. Our BSN graduating class of 2018 would like to thank: President Jackson Sasser, the Santa Fe College administration and especially, our professors for all they have done on our behalf. We would also like to thank all the people involved in putting on today’s ceremony- you have done an amazing job!
We also would like to thank the representatives here from the hospitals and other medical institutions who have encouraged us to continue our educations. And we would especially like to thank our families and friends! We would not be here without your patience and support.
For many of us completing our Bachelor’s degrees in nursing, we were also working full time while raising families. Working a twelve-hour shift can be tough enough, but working a twelve-hour shift, and then coming home every night to work on assignments is doubly difficult.
My fellow classmates come from a wide variety of backgrounds and work experiences. We represent many different hospitals, both in Florida, and out of state. We also work in health departments, are research nurses, travelers, and some are full-time students. Many have taken on positions of leadership during our studies and most are planning to continue their educations to obtain Graduate degrees.
The curriculum at Santa Fe has prepared us well. We have learned are how to use evidence-based practice when changes need to be made, how to be culturally competent nurses, how to be professionals, and how to give compassionate and coordinated care. We have learned about health disparities and how we can improve the health-care system. We learned the importance of collaboration — and how to work as a team.
To be sure, there were moments of sadness and adversity. The Santa Fe family lost a treasured Instructor, Daisy King, as well as a beloved pediatric oncology nurse, Austin Tison in the last year. All who knew them know what two great people the world lost.
We would like to congratulate the ASN class of 2018 and to welcome all of you to the field of health care. We have had the joy of working with many of you as students in our hospitals and are always proud when we hear co-workers say how the Santa Fe student nurses really are the best! Your new degree has given you the key to be able to work almost anywhere in the world. With Florida now being a compact state, you can get a multi-state license allowing you to work in 26 states in the US! You can go anywhere you want, you are only limited by the size of your dreams.
I have recently taken a position in the little town of Sylva, NC. If any of you have seen Billboards in Ebbing, Missouri – it was filmed there. It is nestled right in the heart of back packing and fly-fishing country. I work as a Mother/Baby nurse at a hospital where we deliver all the babies from the Cherokee Indian Reservation. I can get off work, and in 5 minutes be hiking some of the most breath-taking mountain trails in the United States! So, do not limit yourselves, do not be afraid to take chances, get involved in state and national nurse’s associates, and make a change in this world!
Thank you