Alumni Spotlight – Kelly Orton

Over the past months, healthcare workers have been on the frontline caring for those infected by the coronavirus. Kelly Orton, an alumna of Central Carolina Technical College’s Associate Degree Nursing program, is one of those workers on the frontline and recognizes the serious need for nurses during this time. Kelly graduated from the nursing program in 2015 and now works at McLeod Regional Medical Center in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) caring for critically ill patients.
“Our unit is the COVID-19 unit. We have COVID-19 positive patients and we deal with the virus on a daily basis. We are focusing on providing the best care possible to our patients and supporting their families as best we can with this situation. Without visitors right now, we provide the emotional support to patients as well as physical support. It’s very draining and I feel helpless at times, but we are passionate about what we do and we never lose sight of our mission,” says Kelly. “It’s hard to weed through all of the information out there, but it is important to listen to those who are informed and experienced in caring for these patients. While personal safety is always a concern, the hospital I work at has protocol to protect all staff during this time. Following that protocol and working with these patients is a rewarding experience for me.”

Kelly can’t emphasize enough, “Stay safe! Wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, stay home if you don’t feel well and maintain social distance while out and about!”
Graduates of Central Carolina’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program are prepared for careers as technical nurses in acute care, long-term care or home health settings. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and are approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation Board of Nursing. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

For more information about the Associate Degree in Nursing Program, visit: www.cctech.edu/program-of-study/nursing-adn/.