The Franklin County Public Hospital School of Nursing's Alumnae Association donated preparatory books to the seniors of Greenfield Community College Nursing Program Tuesday, February 17 at a ceremony that took place at the conclusion of a two-hour Medical Surgical II class in the main room of the GCC Downtown Center.  The gifts are copies of guides to studying for NCLEX, the National Council Licensure Examination.

Cheri Ducharme, Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator at GCC is delighted with the donations.  "It's really great to have our students receive these gifts" Ducharme said.  "It's become an annual tradition that dates back to the 1990s.  In effect, the Franklin County Public Hospital nurses' alumnae association is supporting the creation of graduates who will be its peers and potential caretakers as the years pass."

The GCC seniors must pass the examination to gain their state nursing license.  The exam measures all areas of nursing, such as surgery, medicine, leadership, pediatrics, maternity, pharmacology, and community health/education.

Harriet (Belle) Dyer, who serves as president of the Franklin County Public Hospital's Alumnae Association, is proud of her organization's commitment to GCC.  "Over the years student nurses from Greenfield Community College have told us that the NCLEX exam books have helped them tremendously in gaining their licenses."

Dyer recently passed her 53rd anniversary of graduation from nursing school at FCPH.  She is in her fifth year as president of her school's alumnae association, a philanthropic group with 300 surviving alumnae members.  The organization has been in operation for 107 years.

The NCLEX texts are created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.  The questions focus on the students' ability to make decisions in various patient care scenarios under critical conditions.

There are 47 members in GCC's graduating nursing class with 91 students enrolled in the overall curriculum.

The next information session for those interested in enrolling in GCC's nursing program will take place May 13 at 2 p.m. at the Downtown Center Campus.  For further information, contact Cheri Ducharme, Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator at 413-775-1626.