May 30, 2025 | Featured , Inspiring Success , Health Sciences , Student Success

Columbia State Pins 42 New Nursing Graduates

Columbia State Nursing Pinning Graduates from the Spring 2025 class

Columbia State Community College recently celebrated 42 nursing graduates in a pinning ceremony in the Webster Athletic Center.

“The nursing pinning ceremony is a meaningful event for the nursing graduate,” said Dr. Amy Huff, Columbia State nursing program director. “It signifies not just completion of a program but entry into a profession. This tradition is a special time of celebration for graduates, shared with friends, families, and faculty.”

Columbia State nursing graduates completed four semesters of classroom instruction and 540 hours of clinical instruction to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing.

Next, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination in order to earn licensure, which is required to practice as a registered nurse. The 2024 Columbia State nursing students’ first-attempt pass rate for the NCLEX is 98%.

Nursing students are prepared to provide direct patient care in various areas, including medical, surgical, pediatrics and more. After graduation, these nurses will work in various settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, schools and home health care.

“Nursing graduates leave Columbia State prepared to make a difference for patients and families,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “There are exciting, rewarding positions to match every new nurse's goals!”

The Columbia State nursing program is committed to excellence in nursing education. It has received full approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The program’s three-year average graduate job placement rate is 99%.

Columbia State’s nursing program has a competitive admission process with applicants admitted twice per year. For more information about applying to the program, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Nursing.

View more photos from the event by clicking here.

Cannon County graduate Shelby Smithson.

Cannon County graduate Shelby Smithson. 

 

Pictured (standing, left to right): Williamson County graduates Lizbeth Montesinos, Tiffany McCurdy and Melissa Helton. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Zoe Giltz, Brittany Ebey, Allie Perkins, Roni McKernan, Emily Brown and Emily Jordan.
Pictured (standing, left to right): Williamson County graduates Lizbeth Montesinos, Tiffany McCurdy and Melissa Helton. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Zoe Giltz, Brittany Ebey, Allie Perkins, Roni McKernan, Emily Brown and Emily Jordan.

 

Pictured (standing, left to right) Maury County graduates Kylie Conner, Camila Cruz, Taylor Reaves and Jackson Simmons. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Cecilia Gomez, Ofelia Monforte, Caitlin Beardslee, Jenny Farmer and Laikyn LeCroy.
Pictured (standing, left to right) Maury County graduates Kylie Conner, Camila Cruz, Taylor Reaves and Jackson Simmons. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Cecilia Gomez, Ofelia Monforte, Caitlin Beardslee, Jenny Farmer and Laikyn LeCroy.

 

Pictured (left to right): Dickson County graduates Janna Vanderpohl and Whitney Ham.
Pictured (left to right): Dickson County graduates Janna Vanderpohl and Whitney Ham.

 

Caption (AMS4279): Bedford County graduate Haylee Faulk.
Bedford County graduate Haylee Faulk.

 

Pictured (left to right): Rutherford County graduates Presleigh Wiggins, Montoya Porter and Shelby Parker.
Pictured (left to right): Rutherford County graduates Presleigh Wiggins, Montoya Porter and Shelby Parker.

 

Pictured (left to right): Marshall County graduate Samantha Ysabelle Puildo and Melissa Hughes.
Pictured (left to right): Marshall County graduate Samantha Ysabelle Puildo and Melissa Hughes.

 

Pictured (standing, left to right): Lawrence County graduates Sara Brown, Carmen Wilson and Alicia Chapman. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Samantha Staggs, Mariah Blasingim, Ellie Benson and Desiree Heatherly.
Pictured (standing, left to right): Lawrence County graduates Sara Brown, Carmen Wilson and Alicia Chapman. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Samantha Staggs, Mariah Blasingim, Ellie Benson and Desiree Heatherly.

 

Giles County graduate Krisadawn Drake.
Giles County graduate Krisadawn Drake.

 

Hickman County graduate Kristen Morgan.
Hickman County graduate Kristen Morgan.

 

Pictured (standing, left to right): Davidson County graduates Chase Moulton, Graysan Burnette and Carson Rogers. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Angelar Mo, Brittany Steighner and Corena Adams.
Pictured (standing, left to right): Davidson County graduates Chase Moulton, Graysan Burnette and Carson Rogers. Pictured (sitting, left to right): Angelar Mo, Brittany Steighner and Corena Adams.