Laurice Alford of Rogersville, a displaced worker who is launching a new career as a Licensed Practical Nurse, has been named Student of the Year at the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton.
"I have always wanted to be in health care and to serve others," said Alford, a graduate of Cherokee High School. "I am humbled by the honor bestowed upon me as Student of the Year."
Alford is scheduled to graduate from TTC-Elizabethton in January 2009 after completing the 12-month Practical Nursing Program, which prepares graduates for the Tennessee Board of Nursing Exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
"Pursing a career in nursing at TTC-Elizabethton has been a life-altering and empowering choice. Because of the reasonable cost, I could make an affordable investment in myself that would positively impact my family and community. I could realize a return on that investment in only one year," Alford said.
Alford is president of her nursing class and a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She attends classes taught by TTC-Elizabethton at ETSU at Kingsport.
"Eventually, I would like to continue my education to become a Registered Nurse and focus on patient teaching. Later, I would like to give back to my profession and teach future LPNs the same standards, quality of care and affection for nursing available to me," Alford said.
According to her instructor, "Laurice relates well to both the patients and the staff. She gives excellent and knowledgeable nursing care. Laurice will certainly have an enormous impact on the nursing world as she begins to practice in the nursing profession."
Thus far, the mother of three boys, including a stepson, Jake, Avery and Cody, ages 11 to 14, has been successful balancing family obligations with those in school. Her husband, Sgt. First Class Nathan Alford, is an Army reservist.
Alford has been nominated for Outstanding Student of the Year, representing all 27 Technology Centers in Tennessee, in competition sponsored by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
The statewide winner will serve as Ambassador for Technical Education, according to Chelle Travis, assistant vice chancellor for instruction, Tennessee Technology Centers, project coordinator.