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Thread: Teacher's dedication lives on at Tennessee Tech Cener at Shelbyville

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    Super Moderator cougarnurse's Avatar
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    Teacher's dedication lives on at Tennessee Tech Cener at Shelbyville

    This is a good story. I think we can all learn from it.
    http://www.t-g.com/story/1677121.html

    Graduation ceremonies for the 2010 graduating class of the Practical Nursing program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville were recently held at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma. Thirty-two members of the Shelbyville class were pinned and received their diplomas before a large congregation of families and friends.

    The eighth annual Edna Shoffner Award for Honor and Excellence was presented to graduate Mary Peery. This award was established by the Shoffner family to commemorate the service of Edna Shoffner to the Practical Nursing Program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville as well as throughout Tennessee. Her husband, Allen Shoffner, was present for the award.

    The recipient of the award was chosen based on the student who demonstrated dedication, integrity, service, and compassion to the nursing profession, and a strong work ethic during the class. These characteristics were possessed and demonstrated by Edna Shoffner throughout her nursing and teaching career.

    During Mrs. Shoffner's tenure as a practical nursing instructor and coordinator of the TTC at Shelbyville Practical Nursing Program, she and her fellow colleagues provided nursing education for 696 LPNs from 1962 until her retirement in 1995.
    Shoffner's influence remains strong today as the staff continues to train nurses for Bedford County and the surrounding areas. Many nurses choose to continue their education after earning their LPN diploma and several now teach nursing; credit is always given to Shoffner's influence -- by always stressing the importance of high quality nursing care.

    This influence was shared with the new group of freshman nursing students last week. David Nunley, a 1982 practical nursing graduate, contacted the center and requested the opportunity to speak with the new class. David was a student under the tutelage of Mrs. Shoffner and they did not always see eye-to-eye. In fact, he had difficulty in adhering to her strict guidelines and expectations of the program. David was a 6'2" young 21-year-old with long hair and a beard and he rebelled against the small in stature -- but bigger than life -- nursing instructor who believed that nurses should be clean cut and shaven. And ... about two weeks before graduation, David almost failed out of the program but managed to pull it out, receive his diploma, and pass the dreaded state board exam.

    Edna's influence in nursing continues still today as David returned full circle to the place he started to share inspiring words to the new students. He encouraged all to devote the energy and required time into the year-long program; he told them if he had it do over again, he would have been a better student. David stated that their futures as nursing professionals will make a profound change in their lives in ways unimaginable. Although a nurse is actually helping the patient, the people a nurse cares for will change your lives, especially when you receive an unexpected Christmas card years later inquiring about your children.

    One student asked Nunley why he chose the nursing profession. He answered simply and honestly, "I needed to earn money to pay my rent." But he soon discovered this this was the beginning of something good; that he is able to get up every morning and feel great about what joys his nursing will bring that day.

    Nunley stated that the field of nursing has changed drastically during his 30-years of experience. Thermometers are no longer "shaken down," blood pressure cuffs are automated, computers are mobile and used to chart patient records, and technology is used almost exclusively. However, he stressed that patient care has not changed. Students continued to ask many questions of Nunley.

    "Do you have a fear of success?" they asked.

    No, only the fear of failure, he said, with the determination that failure was not in his vocabulary.

    "What has been your greatest joy?"

    "Watching the sisters pray for patients at St. Thomas Hospital," said Nunley.

    "How do you prevent burnout?" was one question.

    "You should take a day each year and re-evaluate what you do professionally as well as personally," he answered. "If the work you do each day still rewards you, then stay the course. Learn how to manage the profession instead of the profession managing you."

    What is the biggest challenge of new nurses today? They will not be "thrown out there" as they were 30 years ago. On his first night on the job as a new LPN at the age of 21, Nunley was in charge of 14 patients in the intensive care unit and responsible for making the decisions that evening. Today, new nurses are trained extensively and granted the opportunity for experience before being placed at the helm.

    Nunley rounded his experience out by stating that the practical nursing program is a foundation for many years to come. Many will further their education by earning their R.N. or B.S. in Nursing degrees. But he also stressed that it is okay to be a career L.P.N. Nunley made that choice and does not regret that he did not take his education to the next level.

    He shared that he can still hear Edna Shoffner 30 years later speaking over his shoulder with the proper instruction of nursing. Yes, he even admits that he, too, was "Shoffnerized" and uses the techniques and standards that Edna instilled in the rebellious young man.

    A few years ago, Mrs. Shoffner was hospitalized at St. Thomas Hospital for a surgical procedure. Nunley and Shoffner came together during her stay and he believes that they made their peace.

    "We believe that she was most proud of the nurse that David is today; after all, he is a product of the Practical Nursing program she established in Shelbyville which remains the standard for today's students," said Amy F. Martin, coordinator of fiscal services and human resources.

    "David Nunley is a licensed practical nurse who specializes in cardiovascular services with the St. Thomas Hospital organization. One thing has not changed -- he still hears the words of Edna Shoffner and takes care of each patient the same way he did 30 years ago."

    For more information about the practical nursing program contact the Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville at 685-5013 or www.ttcshelbyville.edu/.

  2. #2
    Senior Member suebird3's Avatar
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    I am still in contact with one of my instructors from LPN school. She's pretty decent.

    There is one (now deceased) that I never really got along with. I doubt we'd have made peace
    ---ever. Glad he was able to do so with his teacher.

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