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Holmes student goes straight from HSE to nursing graduate Pictured is Tiffany Sisney, a Holmes student who earned her GED in 2019 and graduated from the PN program in 2020. Kosciusko native Tiffany Sisney graduated from the Holmes Community College Practical Nursing program on June 25; an accomplishment she never dreamed she'd achieve. Although this year's pinning ceremony looked a little different thanks to COVID-19, it was still just as special for this proud graduate.
"I dropped out of high school in 10th grade, at 15, when I got pregnant with my first child, Alice," Sisney said. "I got married at 16 and became a stay-at-home mom, having my second child, Jakobi, when I was 19. I had grown to regret dropping out, but I didn't believe going back to school was an option for me."
It was then that Sisney decided she was going to get her High School Equivalency (HSE) , so she enrolled in the Adult Education program at the Holmes Attala Center.
"I achieved my GED fairly quickly, and Mr. Tommy Trussell and Mrs. Earline Smith, along with my husband and family, pushed me to go further," Sisney said. "I applied for the Practical Nursing program at Holmes, got a 25 on the ACT and was accepted into the program! I never expected to make it that far; I never thought it was something I could achieve."
The Practical Nursing program prepares students to assist in providing general nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician or dentist. Intensive preparation for the NCLEX-PN Exam and transitioning from student to employee is provided in the program.
"This program has been full of ups and downs, especially once we transitioned to online learning due to COVID-19, but I've made it and I'm proud," Sisney said. "None of this would have been possible for me without the Holmes Adult Education program, along with the Holmes staff, helping me earn my GED. I also wouldn't have made it through without the wonderful nursing staff at the Attala Center; Dr. Blair, Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. Lindsay have all been amazing instructors and super helpful. I want to thank everyone who supported me through this journey."
Sisney and her husband Jonathan, along with their two children, Alice (7) and Jakobi (3), reside in Kosciusko. As she seeks employment as a nurse, she is also considering taking her prerequisites to apply for the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program.
"I'm so proud of Tiffany," said Holmes' PN Department Chair Dr. Christi Blair. "She is the perfect example of how someone can achieve their dreams through hard work and perseverance."
For more information about the Holmes High School Equivalency program, contact Smith at esmith@holmescc.edu or (662) 472-9105.
For more information about the Holmes Practical Nursing program, contact Dr. Christi Blair at cblair@holmescc.edu or (662) 472-9173.
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