ADA, Okla. (KTEN) — A national ranking is putting Pontotoc Technology Center among the top vocational schools in the nation, and you can see why in the nursing classroom.
"When you can go through our program and say that 94 percent of you are going to get a job or going to extend your education careers once you go through it - it just shows the high regard we have for our industries, our careers and our students," said Superintendent, Travis Graham.
One of those students is in the inaugural class of a new fast-track nursing program for high school juniors and seniors, with the opportunity to become a licensed nurse right after graduation.
"It makes me feel good about myself, honestly," said Junior nursing student, Aubrey Hart. "I'm like I'm the first student to be doing this here like nobody else has done it."
This program is just one of the many reasons the school earned a five star recognition from USA Today.
"It's a good honor to have, but it's representation of a lot of our instructors, our communities and our programs," said Graham.
Those instructors helping the students achieve a 100% passing rate on their nursing exam, giving them a jump start into the workforce.
"There is a nationwide shortage of nurses," stated the Director of Health at Pontotoc Technology Center, Lisa Johnson.
Southern Oklahoma hospitals feel that impact as health care expands, with 17 nursing positions open through Mercy Health in Ada, right now.
"We're training high quality nurses to fill those rolls, especially here in our rural communities," added Johnson.
Or students like Hart can take their skills beyond Ada to become a military nurse, following in her step-dad's footsteps.
"He was in the army, and he's like, 'Aubrey you should really do this', and he's always influenced me and my sister," said Hart.
For Johnson, the school earning top honors is a win-win.
"Becoming a nurse changed my life. Getting to train others to do that is very very rewarding," she said.