SE HOSPITAL'S NURSING SCHOOL GRADUATES NINE

Nine students graduated Thursday from Southeast Missouri Hospital's School of nursing. The class is the second group to graduate since the hospital opened its School of Nursing in August 1991.

The graduation ceremony was held at Drury Lodge and included a keynote address by School of Nursing Director Sandy Buchheit.

Jackson resident LaRue McCallister was the recipient of the Delmar A. Cobble Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award. McCallister is employed on the medical progressive care unit at Southeast.

Individual recognition also went to Vickie Schnurbusch of Jackson, medical-surgical nursing award; Elizabeth Vinson, Gorham, Ill., maternal-child nursing award; and Theresa Ladd, Cape Girardeau, mental health nursing award. Schnurbusch also received the academic achievement award for attaining the highest grade point average.

Buchheit said School of Nursing graduates will take state board exams this week. The 1993-94 class begins Aug. 2. Licensed practical nurses interested in the program may call 334-6825 for information.

Located at 2851 Professional Court in the city's west end, the School of Nursing offers licensed practical nurses the opportunity to earn the Registered Nurse diploma. The intent of the 48-week program, said Buchheit, "is to build on the LPN's prior knowledge and experience by providing sound theoretical and clinical educational components in the courses of study."

The School of Nursing at Southeast is actually the second such program to be operated under the auspices of the hospital. Shortly after Southeast opened in 1928, a hospital-based School of Nursing began operation, providing a three-year course of study. However, the depression resulted in the closure of a formal program of nurses' training in the mid-1930s.