Stephanie Lastinger, a 2018 graduate of Ogeechee Tech’s Practical Nursing Program, currently works on the designated “COVID-19 floor” of East Georgia Regional Medical Center.   

Lastinger, who serves in the Telemetry department of EGRMC, has said her floor is now designated the official COVID-19 area and this has brought about some added precautions to her daily routine. “There is certainly a heightened awareness on my floor, along with the increased usage of PPE,” she said. One additional precaution, restrictions on visitations, has increased the significance of the one-on-one interaction that Lastinger has with the patients she serves.   

“Something that brings me joy is seeing patients able to walk out of the hospital to reunite with their families. With the no-visitor policy in play, it’s hard on them. We do our best to care for and comfort them. I can only hope that I’m making a difference in some way,” she said.  

Clinicals are a requirement of all those looking to graduate from the Ogeechee Tech Practical Nursing Program. Lastinger became very familiar with EGRMC while completing her clinical hours, and points to that as one of the reasons she has been able to adapt so quickly to all of the sudden changes. Jackie Howard, a Practical Nursing Instructor at OTC, said, “I’m extremely proud of Stephanie, and of all of my graduates, who I know are working hard to serve people in the places they are employed. It's a source of pride to see both the technical and soft skills she honed here at OTC being put into practice.”  

Lastinger is one of many graduates from the OTC Practical Nursing Program actively working and serving in medical facilities throughout the region. If you’re interested in learning more about the Practical Nursing Program or one of our many other programs at Ogeechee Tech, visit www.ogeecheetech.edu/academics.