Mid-East Career and Technology Center Nursing Program celebrates 50th anniversary

ZANESVILLE, Ohio-  It’s National Nurses Week and while many nurses are celebrating their work, a local nursing program is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Adult Practical Nursing Program at Mid-East Career and Technology Center will be graduating its 50th Practical Nursing class at the end of this month. The school celebrated the milestone with cake, a raffle, presentation of a proclamation from Senator Troy Balderson, and more. Instructor Stacy Petry said it’s fitting the celebration happened during National Nurses Week.

“That’s what we are even more excited about. You know, you have all of these nurses out there that are touching lives everyday and it starts in a classroom. You have to find that passion and that drive somewhere and we teach that here,” said Petry. “We support our students every way we can. And to get to celebrate them I think is just as important as we celebrate each other.”

Over the last 50 years, the program has helped launch many careers. Many alumni eventually return to the school as faculty or to give support in other ways. Bill Baker was a member of the first class and served as a director for the program for three years.

“I was one of 24 graduates and the only guy,” said Baker. “It’s awesome to see the program and it’s grown and grown. And it’s a beautiful building with facilities that are just incredible. It’s just the place to be if you want to start out on an outstanding journey of professional nursing. It’s a quality program with a quality faculty and just a tremendous opportunity for our community.”

Mid-East welcomed its first registered nurse class this January. Students who graduate from the practical nursing program can now continue their education through the RN program.