MTC nursing students set state record for honors at state convention

The Midlands Technical College Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) received seven state awards at the 65th Annual Student Nurses’ Association of South Carolina State Convention on Hilton Head Island, setting a record for the most SNA awards ever earned by a college or university nursing program in South Carolina.

The Student Nurses’ Association of South Carolina is a pre-professional organization for pre-nursing and nursing students enrolled in South Carolina accredited associate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs.

“I am so incredibly proud of the Midlands Technical College Student Nurses’ Association and our student nurses,” said Debbie Carson, the association’s faculty advisor. “These busy students always find the time and energy to go above and beyond expectations.”

The MTC Student Nurses’ Association received:

• The Outstanding Community Health Program Award for holding the most community health projects in the state;
• The Breakthrough to Nursing Points Award for increasing the number and diversity of the college’s nursing students;
• The Council of School Representatives Award for having the most representatives and action items at council meetings;
• The Award for Most Pre-slated Candidates running for council leadership positions.

Four students were presented individual awards or elected to SNA-SC board positions:

• Katie McAbee was presented the Outstanding Community Health Participant Award;
• Matt Hall was elected Break Through to Nursing Director. Hall received two scholarships as well as the Student Nurses’ Association of South Carolina’s Leadership Award;
• Courtney Pittman was elected as Legislative Director;
• Laura Harvey was elected Community Health Director.

Carson said MTC’s award-winning association organized many community projects on the state and local level, including programs that work toward curing blood cancers nationwide, and gathering personal care items for veterans in S.C., and many other projects at the state and local level.

She said the SNA is currently looking for new opportunities to serve the community next year.

“There’s always a project or public service or health event that needs and requests their vitality and drive,” said Carson. “These nursing students are helping to make our community a better place.”

Above: Midlands Technical College nursing student Katie McAbee (right) receives the Outstanding Community Health Participant Award at the Student Nurses’ Association of South Carolina State Convention.

About Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. The fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and the largest provider of transfer students to four-year colleges and universities in the state, MTC enrolls approximately 16,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 30,000 enrollments and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. MIDLANDSTECH.EDU.