For Meridian’s newest instructor, Miranda Mitchell, the decision to leave the front lines of nursing during a pandemic was not an easy one.

“I really had to stop and think,” Mitchell said. “I only have two hands. There are only so many patients that I can help myself.”

Mitchell explained that the impact of the eight soon-to-be Practical Nursing graduates will be much larger than she could have been as one nurse.

In September, Mitchell transitioned from working as a nurse at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany to teaching nursing at Meridian Technology Center.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping inspire and teach new nurses.” Mitchell said.

When the position at Meridian became available, Mitchell knew it would be the right fit for her. Prior to working at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, Mitchell worked at Stillwater Medical Center where she often worked with Meridian students during their clinical rotations.

“When I interacted with the Meridian students they were always very prepared and ready to learn,” Mitchell explained. “What was more impactful for me was when I interacted with the instructors. They were helpful and respectful to me as the nurse. That was a culture I wanted to be a part of.”

Although Mitchell said she misses the patient interaction, teaching students has been gratifying in a new way. She has enjoyed watching students apply what she teaches in the classroom to their clinical rotations. The practical nursing class graduating in August will be the first class to complete the program that Mitchell has instructed.

“I want to be a part of something that not only helps educate students but also improves the nursing community as a whole,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell, originally from Stillwater, attended Western Governors University to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She and her husband currently reside in Oklahoma City.

Prepare for a Career in Practical Nursing

Meridian’s Practical Nursing program can be completed in 12 months. New classes start in February and August of each year. There are pre-requisites for admission consideration that may take up to six months to complete. Learn more at meridiantech.edu/prepforlpn. The deadline to apply for August enrollment is June 1. Information can be found at meridiantech.edu/practical-nursing.

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program, graduates may apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. Once licensed, graduates will be prepared to work in hospitals, home health, doctor’s offices, long-term care facilities and various health care agencies. Meridian graduates have a 93% average pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and 91% job placement. Employers who hire Meridian graduates report a 100% satisfaction rate and students who complete the program have a 100% satisfaction rate.

For more information on other career training programs available at Meridian visit meridiantech.edu/programs.

Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, workforce and economic development assistance and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.