Continued Success for NWCC Practical Nursing
Senatobia, MS (08/05/2025) — The Northwest Mississippi Community College Practical Nursing program continues its tradition of success as employees and students have earned various achievements this past semester. Six employees are seeking to expand their education with advanced degrees, students in the program have been successful in national testing, and Program Director Betty Ginn has been selected for a state leadership position.
Ginn has received the prestigious gavel from the Mississippi Council of Directors in Practical Nursing at their annual practical nursing retreat held at East Mississippi Community College, where she will serve as the chair of that organization until June 2026.
For the third year in a row, the PN program has had nine cohorts score an NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) 100% pass rate. What that means is every one of those cohorts have all passed their licensure exam, allowing them to become full-fledged nurses and take on those jobs.
"Without passing the NCLEX, the time spent in the program would be a waste," explained Ginn.
This is a huge accomplishment for a program that goes out into the community to promote health and wellness and save lives, enriching the communities that they serve, furthering their alma mater's mission as well as their personal one as a nurse.
This success is only possible through the relentless amount of work that goes into training these students every day, which also includes the instructors' dedication to improving themselves day in and day out.
Six members of the faculty are continuing their education, including Ginn, who is in a program for her Doctorate of Nursing Practice; and Paula Geeter, PN lead instructor at the DeSoto campus, who is a Doctorate of Nursing Practice student as well. Two instructors are working on their Master of Nursing Practice, including Jessica Barham, Senatobia campus instructor, and Desire Tidwell, who is an adjunct instructor at the Oxford campus. Recently completing degree programs were Sherri Watkins, a Senatobia instructor who just finished her master's degree, and Molly Davis, who is an adjunct instructor at Senatobia seeking her bachelor's degree.
"These instructors work 12 months a year to ensure students obtain what they need to succeed in the real world," said Ginn. "They do not have time off except when the campus is closed. Due to the workloads and demands of teaching, many of them take work home to ensure the classroom and clinical time is not interrupted."
This dedication, often unseen, results in all the success that is seen both in their professional lives, the lives of the students, and the communities in which these nurses serve.
Media Attachments
Northwest Practical Nursing Program Director, Betty Ginn, receives the gavel from Jamonica Johnson, 2024-2025 chair of the Mississippi Council of Directors in Practical Nursing on June 20. Ginn will serve a one-year term as chair until June 2026. Photo provided by Betty Ginn
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Andrew Dale, Associate Vice President of Community Relations, adale@northwestms.eduShare this Story
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