Joplin, Mo. – Thirty-two Graduate Nurses (GNs) from area college nursing programs were recognized and honored during a ceremony held at the North End Zone Facility on the Missouri Southern State University campus.

It was a big night for the soon-to-be registered nurses.

Purposely resembling traditional high school or college signing day celebrations, in which local athletes sit at tables to ink letters of intent to play at the next level, these star nurses celebrated their futures in healthcare with loud fanfare from cheering families, friends and colleagues.

Each graduate – flanked by parents, loved ones or their children – signed the official documents on the table in front of them before raising their arms in celebration.

The GNs will take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Upon passing the exam, they will become registered nurses at Freeman Health System.

“Being a nurse is a hard job; if there’s any way we can pour our resources back into them, we want to do that,” said Freeman Health System’s Madison Cornwell, the event’s emcee. “Recognizing them for their dedication, their resiliency, their compassion for patient care – it is huge. We just also want to celebrate them coming to Freeman.”

The graduating students included: Rebecca Brown, Taylor Bell, Alivia Arlington, Gabee Rainwater, Lauryn Macy, Kylee Dobbins, Kristen Soles, Marlie Brown , Ulla Delman, Brittanie Doubett, Lydia Boyer, Dylan Walker, john Niswonger, Lindsey Whitworth, Mia Moss, Kylie Brooks, Kelley Goeken, Kristy Holliday, Autumn Holstrom, Sadie Ferguson, Kennedy Beshears, Chandler Fordham, Sydney Morgan, Javier Acosta, Layknn Moore, Jessica Divine, Kenzee Shanks, Chloe Stancell, Kayla Sause, Hailey Jennings, Kylie Brummett and Alex Spirgerelli.

To learn more about Freeman Health System’s nursing programs, go to www.freemanhealth.com/for-nurses or call 417.347.3770.