Graduates from the Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations in West Palm Beach walked across the stage on Thursday, Sept. 22. It was a moment the school has waited to experience for more than two years. This was the first in-person graduation since the pandemic began, and spirits were high with pride and excitement.
Thirty-four nurses walked across the stage ready to receive their diplomas and hit the work force. The Academy for Nursing was proud to have Dr. Katherine Brazzale from Trustbridge as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Brazzale is widely known in the healthcare community for her unparalleled respect for nurses and the immeasurable impact they have on patient care.
Holding the graduation in person is something that the academy has awaited years for, and on this special morning, three classes from two programs walked across the stage. A total of 15 students graduated from the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing program and 19 students graduated from the Practical Nursing program. Many of these graduates are already licensed nurses and were happy to get their diploma in person.
Florida has a high need for nurses and continues to face a shortage of nursing professionals. The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations is proud to have graduated new nurses to add to the workforce. The majority of these nurses started their schooling two years ago when the pandemic first hit. These nursing students faced the significant challenge of nursing school in the middle of a worldwide pandemic.
There has always been a shortage of nurses, and the pandemic has made that problem even greater. Many of Florida’s nurses are leaving the state to travel to other parts of the country. The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations is proud to be a part of the mission of commitment to the sick and dying and to help supply the community with outstanding nurses and healthcare workers.
The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations has been a driving force in the West Palm Beach community since its establishment in 1978. Day and night scheduling is designed for the flexibility of working students with the goal to improve job skills and to secure and retain healthcare employment following graduation. The success of the students is based on the motto, “Be all that you can be — Learn, Grow, Become.” For more information, visit www.anho.edu.
