SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 252
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the nursing programs at Panola College for their
invaluable contributions to the health and well-being of our
citizens; and
WHEREAS, Panola College, located in Carthage, Texas,
established its licensed vocational nursing program in 1972, and
the associate degree nursing program has been in operation since
1994; the institution is just the second in Texas to have a
complete online registered nurse program; and
WHEREAS, Accredited by the National League for Nursing
Accreditation, Panola College's programs have trained over 2,000
professionals for the nursing field; Panola College's nursing
faculty all hold masters degrees and have an average of 20 years
of nursing experience; over the past six years, more than 90
percent of graduates of the associate degree nursing program have
passed licensing exams on the first attempt; and
WHEREAS, As part of community outreach training for
students, Panola College nursing students have participated in
eight trips to Belize, bringing basic health services to that
country's most remote villages; in Panola County, they have
served approximately 600 participants each year at two annual
health fairs, with two-thirds of attendees receiving some sort of
health screening and another 20 percent being referred to a
primary care provider; and
WHEREAS, Panola College's nursing programs have received
several grants to assist with innovation and the retention of
students, resulting in an increased graduation rate of 51
percent; to increase opportunities for experiential learning,
the programs have recently started a simulation lab in
conjunction with the East Texas Medical Center in Carthage; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby commend the Panola College nursing programs
for their excellence and innovation in education and extensive
service to the community; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Eltife
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 18, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate