UNMC College of Nursing initiates induction ceremony

New Lincoln students pose following the Induction Ceremony. From left to right: (front row) Lisa Winterstein, (middle row) Gina Witt, LeeAnn Vontz, Tamara Vavra-Fong, and Lyndi Tietz, and (backrow) Amy Wheatley, Cheri Westphal and Elizbeth Weber. Photo by Ryan Cole.

The UNMC College of Nursing held induction ceremonies across the state Sunday, (Oct. 12) to recognize about 140 new nursing students as they commit to academic integrity and begin assimilating the values and behaviors of the professional nurse. The ceremony also reiterated some the most important values for the professional nurse and for the profession of nursing: responsibility, trustworthiness, honesty, fairness, and respect of others.

Ceremonies were held in Omaha, Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Lincoln.

During the ceremony, students recited an oath of professionalism and signed a pledge. They also received the college’s badge to be affixed to their uniforms and the pen they used to sign the oath.

Level 1 student Lori Hovseth shakes hands with Scottsbluff faculty members Jan Judy, forefront, and Nancy Meier, background. Photo by Kate Steinbock.

“Health care has become more complex,” said Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, who assumed her new role as dean Oct. 8. “We recognize the importance to initiate a formal ceremony hallmarking the students’ entry into the profession of nursing and their assimilation of the values and behaviors of a professional nurse. During the next four to five semesters, student will attend classes, participate in clinical experiences from six to 12 hours a day, and fulfill their pledge to uphold academic integrity and professional standards.”

The students and their hometowns are listed below:

UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division
Burwell – Jared King
Columbus – Jessica Loveless, Tracy Wolfe
Cozad – Lacey Anderson
Culbertson – Kerman Nickel
DeWitt – Melissa Beerenstrauch
Franklin – Lindsay Smith
Harrisburg – Ashley Bruce
Hastings – Shannon Fisher
Gibbon – Karmynn Plautz
Geneva – Ashley Schoenbeck
Kearney – Michelle High, Mylissa Tolle
Lincoln – Jamie Buller, Jessica Carr, Joanna Demeter
Loup City – Andrea Day
McCook – Chelsey Dame, Danielle Thomas
North Platte – Kayla Palu
Peru – Christopher Marnell
Pleasanton – Rachelle Kirschner
Valentine – Morgan Jespersen
Wymore – Brandi Hardin
Marysville, Kan. – Marsha Offner

UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division, Scottsbluff

Kearney students stand as they recite the oath of professionalism. Photo by Kate Nickel, Ph.D.

Alliance – Tara Bastron, Kelly Moscrip, Tammie Setter
Arnold – Kristin Fox
Arthur – LaNell Dancer
Bayard – Sheree Sinks
Chadron – Crystal Burgess, Cassee Harrison
Gering – GayLynn Meyers, Jessica Sterkel, Crystal Zimmerman
Gordon – Brent Goodrich
Gurley – Leslie Ahlm
Harrison – Shyenna Huntrods
Hemingford – Tricia Colson, Austin Engel
Mitchell – Jennifer Marquez
O’Neill – Kelli Reynoldson
Pierce – Erin Navrkal
Potter – Trina Sagissor
Scottsbluff – Bemenfes Tewahade

Holyoke, Colo. – Kylee Kramer
Woodstock, Ill. – Lori Hovseth
Hawk Springs, Wyo. – Jessica Knudsen
Torrington, Wyo. – Amber Lowry, Jessica Fritzler

UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division
Alvo – Sara Hanes
Auburn – Stacy Oakley
Cambridge – Kristy Mirabella
Carroll – Lyndi Tietz
DeWitt – Lisa Winterstein
Fairbury – Kimberly Lake
Grand Island – Shani Bates, Kylee Fredrick
Grant – Megan Bounds
Imperial – Brooke Sutherland
Juniata – Gina Witt
Lincoln – Justin Baldassano, Elaine Christiansen, Amy Cooper, Matthew Crandell, Marissa Herbon, Kristine Hillary, Keerun Kamble, Jessica Lien, Raquel Salvador, Stephanie Thaden, Elizabeth Weber and Amy Wheatley
Lyons – Tiffany Bring
McCook – LeeAnn Vontz, Adrienne Nielsen
Milford – Amanda Lambe
Milligan – Tamara Vavra-Fong
Norfolk — Cheri Westphal
North Platte – Jacque Beckmann

Students in Omaha recite the oath of professionalism. Photo by Leslie Gleaves.

Omaha – Errin Kiser
O’Neill – Kelli Grenz
Papillion – Kendra Conway
Plainview – Jamie Brom
Thurston – Melissa Lake
Valentine – Cassandra Ramm
Waco – Chelsea Kraft
York – Anslee Ostergard

Quincy, Ill. – Kelly Hollmann
Hesston, Kan. – Christina Lehman
Beresford, S.D. – Alexia Bonte
Sioux Falls, S.D. – Tina Butterfield
Newcastle, Wyo. – Kristina Cooper

UNMC College of Nursing, Omaha
Bellevue – Mindi Linman, Kimberly Schreiber
Blair – Amy Trolson
Bloomfield – Erin Mumm
Columbus – Sara Edison
Dakota City – Emily Eckert
Fremont – Sara Jenkins, Gina Lowther
Gering – Amy Manasek
Hastings – Mary Bosshardt, Abbi Johnson
LaVista – Amanda Schmitz
Kearney – Heather Frost
Lincoln – Megan Hertzel, Tonya Kinnison, Andrew Waldman
Oakland – Amy Stromquist
Omaha – Andria Baker, Claire Brush, Colleen Glowen, Kathleen Hansen, Katrina Jamal, Laura Leahy, Jennifer Mohan, Morgan Palma, Brenda Peters, Patricia Sidak, Danika Valenti, Ann Veys, Suzanne Wessling and Kalia Yang
Papillion – Susan Fiala
Pender – Megan Minert
Plattsmouth – Jennifer Halouska
Ralston – Nicole Turille
Schuyler – Emily Emanuel

Audubon, Iowa – Dena Olsen
Los Angeles, Calif. – Brian Owings
Absarokee, Mont. – Jeri McCann
Dickinson, N.D. – Brandy Hartse
Manning, N.D. – Jill Kadrmas
Jasper, Texas – Chiquita Jackson
Austin, Texas – Amber Walsh