Fran Francis retires from HCTC

After almost 30 years of teaching, Fran Francis is retiring from Hazard Community and Technical College, and students say they will miss her a great deal.

She is very knowledgeable; she treats her patients and students with respect and helps in any way she can. She wants all students to succeed in nursing so they can provide the best care for the patient, wrote one student. Another said, She is an awesome clinical instructor; she really wants you to learn new things and get as many experiences as possible.

Mrs. Francis had worked in the nursing profession prior to working at HCTC; she was employed for a total of ten years at Hazard ARH in the roles of Head Nurse and Staff Nurse.

She has loved teaching. The interaction with the students and to actually witness their progress in knowledge of content material and their confidence in performance of skills attracted me to the classroom, she said. She remembers when Phyllis Morris, Coordinator of the Practical Nursing Program, asked her to consider teaching. I had worked with the Practical Nursing students and assisted them while they were on my unit at ARH, never thinking I would one day teach in the program.

She said retirement means she will have the chance to do things that she enjoys doing and have not been able to have time to do. I very much enjoy nursing, but I ve spent my time in that role. I would like to dedicate time to family roles and to be able to give those roles my undivided attention.

I appreciate being able to work at HCTC. I appreciate having had the opportunity to meet so many students and I hope I have made some positive impact on their life. I appreciate co-workers and supervisors for their help and guidance, she said.

HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner wishes Mrs. Francis the best in her retirement. Fine teaching is what makes this school the great college that it is. Mrs. Francis is to be commended for her many years of dedicated service and her commitment to helping students succeed.

Yet another student can attest to the positive impact Mrs. Francis has had on their life. Mrs. Francis is the best teacher ever. She is very knowledgeable and very understanding when a student asks for help! She is always willing to listen and take time for students. She is fair and honest with everyone. I enjoyed Mrs. Francis as a teacher. I learned a lot.

Mrs. Francis holds an Associate Degree in Nursing from Midway College and a bachelor s degree in Industrial Education from Eastern Kentucky University.

Fran and her husband of 36 years, David Francis, have one son, Jonathan Ryan Francis.