Retiring Nursing Professor Patti Frontczak left five “tidbits of wisdom” from 22 years on the Southwestern Michigan College nursing faculty.

“I had no idea what was in store for me, though was excited about the future. I had made it! I was thrilled to be making a whopping $5.40 an hour,” she said on the 38th anniversary of her own SMC graduation at the May 6 School of Nursing and Health Services reception in the theater of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

Frontczak earned her bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and master’s degree from Grand Valley State University.

“First,” she said, “always be prepared for work. That means being on time and ready to start your shift. We’ve all worked with people who show up late and are distractions. Usually, this means the rest of us pick up the slack. Be the leader, not the follower, and remember a good nurse has a pair of scissors in her pocket.”

Second, “Never be afraid to ask questions,” Frontczak said. “We all learn something new each day. This is especially true for new nurses. Teamwork and collaboration are essential for a successful nurse. Ask advice from another nurse or seek information from your patient.”

Third, invest. “You, too, may someday want to retire. It helps if you begin to save when you’re young,” Frontczak said. “Most of you will be making more money now than you ever have. Save before spending. You probably won’t miss money you put aside because you’ve not had it in your hot little hands. Take advantage of the retirement plan offered at work or start your own.”

Fourth, “Wear good shoes,” she said. “It frustrated me when I was a new nurse and went shoe shopping. I didn’t want to spend that much money on work shoes. I would have preferred to spend the money on cute little shoes I could wear out and about. Then I realized I wear my work shoes over 40 hours per week. I also realized good shoes could help prevent back and feet problems as I got older. Wear good shoes and take care of your feet.”

Finally, said Frontczak, who is from Dowagiac, “Never be too busy to stop and listen to your patients. Take time to hold their hands, answer their questions and, more than anything, be a patient advocate. Take the opportunity you have to make a difference in patients’ lives. Remember why you wanted to be a nurse and be the best nurse you can. I hope each and every one of you enjoy nursing as much as I have. Nursing is so much more than a job. It’s a career and for most of us it’s a calling. God bless you and make SMC proud.”

“We’ll miss her knowledge of the college and of the program,” Vice President of Instruction Dr. David Fleming said. “We’ll miss her no-nonsense approach to challenges and, most of all, her infectious laugh.”

Thirty-one ADN graduates include Katherine Benyi of Edwardsburg, Katelyn Burger of Plymouth, Indiana, Melissa Burpee of Cassopolis, Connie Clark of Berrien Springs, Kaitlyn Cruz of Paw Paw, Mersaydes Emanuel of Benton Harbor, Taylor Fairburn of South Bend, Trevor Gray of Buchanan, Zynol Hamdani of Osceola, Indiana, Katelyn Harding of Cassopolis, Stephanie Harding of Cassopolis, Jenna Harris of Niles, Ashlie Herman of Cassopolis, Grace Leighton of Mendon, Rachel Leister of Constantine, Alesha Levora of Coloma, Emily Loucks of Niles, Kristen Mead of Decatur, Bethany Milnickel of Hartford, Sokhotey Mork of Kalamazoo, Kailey Murphy of Three Oaks, BaiLee Pastol of Schoolcraft, Yvonne Pineda of Goshen, Indiana, Kate Reynolds of Decatur, Angela Sikkema of Decatur, Joanna Sommer of South Bend (president of the student nurse association), Megan Stepanek of Buchanan, Allison Turnbow of Mishawaka, Jessica Vega of Niles, Kerstin Wheeler of Niles and Dawn Young of Niles.

Rebecca Jellison, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Services, announced Leighton received the Florence Nightingale Award from her fellow graduates.

“This award embodies the following characteristics: selfless, compassionate, thoughtful, a team player, dependable, generous and humble,” Jellison said.

Jellison introduced faculty members Debbie Green, RN, MSN, Chair; April Chew, RN, MSN; Rona Goodrich, RN, MSN; Peggylee Myers, RN, BSN; Tammy Jerz, RN, MSN; Melissa Kennedy, RN, MSN; Jeanie Mitchel, RN, MSN, MA; Erin Russell, RN, BSN; Yolanda Roche, RN, MSN; Jodi Tidey, RN, MSN; and Amber Villwock, RN, MSN.

The ACEN-accredited program temporarily relocates across campus to Mathews Conference Center East for construction of the new $9.6-million building breaking ground in July and opening fall 2018.

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project. Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.