HUDSON, N.Y. – Columbia-Greene Community College hosted an Oath of Office ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 7, for alumna Colleen Fortine '17, as she U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a Second Lieutenant.
Fortine, of Lake Katrine, N.Y., is a C-GCC nursing graduate, and requested her ceremony be held at the college. Nursing Professor Anna T. Cortese, R.N., M.S.N., and Retired Lieutenant Colonel for the U.S. Army, officiated the swearing-in – also at Fortine’s request.
The ceremony was witnessed by family, friends, members of the C-GCC faculty, administration, and staff, as well as several current nursing students at the college.
Fortine addressed the audience following the official swearing-in, in part to offer thanks.
“This has been six years to get here – I first started as a CNA {Certified Nursing Assistant}, and with every test, I got one step closer to this point,” said Fortine, now a Licensed Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse. “To my professors – without you, I would not be a nurse. I wouldn’t know how to prioritize; I wouldn’t even know how to start an IV.
“To my fellow nursing students – it will all be worth it, it really will. I hope you all reach your nursing dreams.”
Fortine now awaits her first official assignment with the U.S. Army.
Photo Caption: Nursing Professor Anna T. Cortese, R.N., M.S.N., and Retired Lieutenant Colonel for the U.S. Army (left) officiated the Oath of Office ceremony for C-GCC alumna Colleen Fortine '17 (right) on campus Saturday, Dec. 7. Fortine has entered the U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a Second Lieutenant.