7 October ICC's Langford attains Certified Emergency Nurse status October 7, 2020 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Dr. Shawna Langford of Saltillo, Itawamba Community College Associate Degree Nursing instructor, recently attained Certified Emergency Nurse status. According to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession with more than 3.8 million registered nurses nationwide. Only 55,540 have attained status as a Certified Emergency Nurse, based on figures from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. Earning and maintaining emergency nursing specialty certification demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning, notes the BCEN website. “The pride, sense of accomplishment and self-confidence that come with knowing you are at the very top of your profession deliver unparalleled personal satisfaction. Being a certified nurse distinguishes you among your peers, allows you to serve as a role model and sets you up for advancement and optimal career success.” “One of my goals for my profession when I was in nursing school was to become an emergency nurse,” Langford said. “Shortly after I began working in the emergency department in 1998, I developed a desire to hold the title of Certified Emergency Nurse, but I wanted to be well-prepared so that when I took the exam, I would pass it. I waited a long time and even had to use some of the same supportive strategies I share with my students on myself, but I finally scheduled, took and passed the exam. I continue to work PRN in the emergency department as well as take students there for a clinical rotation. I wanted to have something to show them that nurses really never stop learning, and I feel that taking the time to study and take a certification exam is a way for them to see that.” Langford has been a member of ICC’s associate degree nursing faculty since 2012. She is also a staff nurse at the North Mississippi Medical Center and an online nurse evaluator for Western Governors University. Her honors include Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society and Upsilon Omicron Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Langford earned the associate’s degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College, bachelor’s degree from Mississippi University for Women, master’s degree from the University of North Alabama and the doctoral degree from American Sentinel University, all in nursing. Langford serves as a member of the ADN systemic evaluation committee and is involved in planning and implementation for a nurse mentorship program for ICC’s Associate Degree Nurses. “Dr. Langford has obtained her terminal degree in nursing, so it is significant to see her continue to strive for excellence and be a role model for our students to actively participate in lifelong learning,” said Dr. Dana Walker, director of ICC’s ADN program. “Our accreditors require nursing faculty to be current in nursing practice, and this certification is one way of keeping current with the ever-changing healthcare field. It is also extremely important for nurses striving for safety, quality and excellence.” Related Articles ICC's nursing students celebrate week, month and graduation When the pages of the calendar turned to May, a special celebration began for nurses across the nation. Every year, from May 6-12, those in the profession are recognized for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients through National Nurses Week. But as special as nurses are and most deserving of a celebration, the week is just a small part of the larger National Nurses Month, which will be observed through May 31. “Students who are enrolled in Itawamba Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program prepare to take the NCLEX-RN and subsequently to become Registered Nurses, who work in collaboration with physicians and other members of a healthcare team,” said Tonya Vaughn, dean of Health Science Instruction. “They fill numerous roles, including but not limited to, disease prevention, coping with illness, patient assessments, health educators and advocacy. However, they don’t stop there. There is also possible case management, quality assurance procedures, directing complex nursing care systems and conducting clinical research. They work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services and nursing care ... Nine graduate from ICC's prestigious Leadership Development Institute Nine members of Itawamba Community College’s faculty and staff have graduated from its prestigious Leadership Development Institute. They include C.J. Adams of Fulton, assistant director of marketing; Terry Bland of Mooreville, financial aid director; Josh Gammill of Fulton, continuing education director; Adam Gore of Fulton, sports information and media relations director; Holly Gray of Fulton, library director; John Wayne Harris of Fulton, director of physical plant operations; Chris Stevenson of Fulton, dean of academic instruction; Dr. Dana Walker of Tupelo, Associate Degree Nursing program director; and Steven West of Mantachie, systems analyst and programmer. “The LDI was extremely beneficial and helped me broaden my vision for ICC, both as a college and our nursing program,” Dana Walker said. “The sessions on leadership styles from Dr. (Jay) Allen (ICC President) and others helped foster new ideas on how to use the college’s strategic plan and goals for decision making at my level. The LDI motivated me and made me feel connected to ICC and especially aware of how my decisions impact ICC and the ... Registration open for ICC's January pathways classes Itawamba Community College has scheduled several pathways classes to begin in January 2024 at the Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.). They include Certified Nursing Assistant, Jan. 8-Mar. 20, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-9 p.m.; Food Management Certification, Jan. 8-Feb. 2, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Google IT Support Certification, Jan. 8-May 1, online self-paced; Medical Administrative Assistant, Jan. 8-Apr. 10, Mondays, 5-9 p.m.; Business Office Specialist, Jan. 9-May 2, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-9 p.m.; EMT-Basic, Jan. 9-May 2, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-10 p.m.; Pharmacy Technician, Jan. 9-Apr. 30, Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. and Phlebotomy Technician, Jan. 11-Apr. 4, Thursdays, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Certified Nursing Assistant prepares participants to take the exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Upon successful completion of the program and the exam, nursing assistants may find employment with nursing homes, medical centers, home healthcare providers and clinics. Food Management Certification includes the essential skills needed to thrive in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Students will experience training opportunities including ServSafe® Food Manager Certification, ServSafe® Alcohol Certification, menu planning preparation, assist/participate in execution of catered events, ... ICC's Surgical Technology program adds laparoscopic simulator Itawamba Community College’s Surgical Technology majors will now benefit from top-of-the line equipment as they prepare to enter their field of study. ICC’s program is the first in the state that has added a laparoscopic simulator, which is a tool that demonstrates virtually all major abdominal surgical procedures, chest procedures and pelvic procedures, allowing learners to begin to familiarize themselves with performance methodologies. Simulation training services can augment learners’ dexterity and visualization; eliminate the ergonomic discomfort of long surgery services and work to turn simulators into an essential technology for the patient, learners and hospitals. “Access to this simulator, which is used in medical schools across the country, will enable our students to develop advanced technological literacy as they train to become vital members of the surgical team,” said Tonya Vaughn, program director. “It is absolutely remarkable.” Vaughn said that simulation offers a way for learners to master new skill sets without practicing on real-life patients. “This is important because often the complexity ... Extended hospital stay leads to appreciation for nurses and Dzikielewski scholarship When Joe Dzikielewski was a patient in the hospital for seven weeks in 2019, he was impressed with the care provided by his nurses, most of whom were Itawamba Community College graduates. “He enjoyed asking them where they went to school and learning more about them,” his wife, Wanda, said. That appreciation has led to her establishing the Dr. Joseph F. Dzikielewski Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Itawamba Community College to benefit full-time sophomores in the Associate Degree Nursing program. “This is my home and was Joe’s home for 30 years plus,” said the ICC alumnus. “I think ICC is a great place to start an education and a career. It gives our people not only a significant economic opportunity as well as an education that transfers out to the next stage in life. I think it’s extremely important to help younger people who may have to struggle to afford college.” Dr. Joe, as he was known, was a counselor at Itawamba Agricultural High School several years ago. For many years, he was a full professor of health and physical ... 11 graduate from ICC's prestigious Leadership Development Institute Eleven members of Itawamba Community College’s faculty and staff have graduated from its prestigious Leadership Development Institute. They include Lindsey Patterson of Amory, Natural Science instructor/eLearning A&P lead and A&P department chair; Audra Perry of Belden, Adult Education director; Lee Adams, Bookstore manager; Kaitlyn Stanfield, Housing and Residence Life director; and Rachel Steele, director of Admissions/Registrar, all of Fulton; Jason Dickinson, Campus Police chief; and Jason Williams, Transportation director, both of Mantachie; Caleb Ramey of Red Bay, Ala., TIS systems administrator; Adam Denton of Saltillo, Respiratory Therapy program director; Stacey Loden, Workforce accountability and information specialist; and Alicia Thornton, Surgical Technology program director, both of Tupelo. “I’m honored to have been a part of LDI, and the experience was very special,” Lee Adams said. “It helped me gain a broader understanding of the three locations of the college as well as how the (ICC) cabinet and administration work to benefit the college, students, employees and surrounding communities. The program, Dr. (Jay) Allen and all of the speakers expanded my knowledge of how to lead so that I can apply ... Comments are closed.