Buckeye Hills Career Center’s (BHCC) Practical Nursing (PN) program held a Pinning Ceremony on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, celebrating six students for their accomplishments in successfully completing BHCC’s Practical Nursing program.
The Practical Nursing program consists of 1,382 hours of training, including 564 hours of lab and clinical experience. During their clinical experience, students exercise the skills they learn in a variety of hospital settings including geriatrics, medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency nursing. Clinicals are completed at various locations throughout the region including Jenkins Care Community, Abbyshire Place, Holzer Senior Care, Holzer Medical Center, Adena Regional Medical Center, Southern Ohio Medical Center, and Rivers Health.
The ceremony opened with the processional. Caylee Caudill and Abigail Hopper then led their fellow students in reciting the Nurse’s Prayer. Dr. Amber Nowlin, DNP, RN, PN Program Coordinator welcomed all in attendance, and Alyson Bailey, Class President, was the student speaker for the evening.
Scholarships were then awarded by Holzer Health Systems, Rivers Health, and the Nurse Honor Guard of the Ohio Valley. The Best in Clinical Performance Award was given by Holzer Health Systems to Alyson Bailey and presented by Lisa Detty, MSN, RN, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer. The Best-in-Class Performance Award was given by Rivers Health to Carlee Manley and presented by Jarod Zelaska, Executive Director of Human Resources. The Spirit of Nursing Award was given by the Nurse Honor Guard of the Ohio Valley to Elizabeth Casey and presented by Cindy Harrison, Roberta Harris, Margie Kemper, Sharon Stout, and Debbie Evans.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of pins by program instructors. Students that received pins included Alyson Bailey, Elizabeth Casey, Caylee Caudill, Abigail Hopper, Carlee Manley, and Peytin Rossiter. Program lead instructors included Cara Gibson, BSN, RN; Jennifer Nance, BSN, RN; and Mary Shamblin, MSN Ed., RN.
The January 2025 Practical Nursing cohort included three early placement, OTC+ students. High School students enrolled in the Health Academy pathway at Buckeye Hills Career Center have the opportunity to begin the Practical Nursing program during the second semester of their senior year. OTC+ students that completed the PN program include Caylee Caudill, Carlee Manley, and Peytin Rossiter.
The students are now eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Upon passing the NCLEX-PN, students earn their license and their LPN credential.
The Practical Nursing program is held twice annually with 48-week cohorts beginning in January and September. Enrollment for the September 2026 PN Program will open in the upcoming months. For more information or to apply, visit BuckeyeHills.net/apply.
View the full photo album from the ceremony here.