Special to The TimesMichael Vickers, center, the administrator for Hanceville Nursing and Rehab Center, presents a check to Wallace State Future Foundation Board Member Donna Guthrie, left, and Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.

Hanceville Nursing and Rehab Center continued its tradition of supporting Wallace State Community College by presenting a check to the Wallace State Future Foundation to be establish the Jim D. and Mattie Moody Endowed Scholarship for nursing students.

Michael Vickers, administrator at Hanceville Nursing and Rehab, along with Future Foundation board member Donna Guthrie ,made the donation to WSCC President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.

Wallace State Nursing and Hanceville Nursing and Rehab have worked together for decades, with the center serving as a clinical site for students, as well as employing many Wallace State graduates.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Hanceville Nursing and Rehab and for their partnership with our Nursing program,” said Deborah “Pepper” Hoover, director of the Wallace State School of Nursing. “Their support of our students is greatly appreciated and has a big impact on their lives.”

The Wallace State Nursing program is a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education, as designated by the National League For Nursing. It’s most recent graduating class earned a 97.72 percent pass rate on their RN licensure exams, well above the national average of 85.84 percent for associate degree candidates so far this year, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It’s also higher than that 91.07 percent for baccalaureate degree programs to date.

The Nursing program instituted a new curriculum last fall which allows students successfully completing their first three semesters the opportunity to sit for the licensure exam to be a Licensed Practical Nurse, and continue seamlessly through the next two terms to finish the Associate Degree Nursing degree and sit for the NCLEX Registered Nurse licensure exam.

The Nursing program accepts students each Fall and Spring, with the deadline for applying for Spring 2018 recently extended to Sept. 15. The deadline for Fall 2018 entry will be May 15, 2018.