Rhonda Creech has been recognized as one of the top nurses.

MOUNT OLIVE — The Great 100 Nurses, which promotes nursing excellence in North Carolina, has recognized Rhonda Creech of Princeton as one of the 2015 Great 100 Nurses.

This non-profit organization creates peer recognition among North Carolina’s registered nurses, as well as awards excellence in practice and commitment to the nursing profession. Creech was awarded with a scholarship of $2,000. Scholarship recipients are selected by the School of Nursing based on students’ scholastic achievement, character, and contribution to the nursing profession.

Creech earned an associate’s degree from Wayne Community College and later enrolled in the BSN program at the UMO in August of 2013. She currently works as the Hospice inpatient director of clinical services at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro. Creech also manages the sister hospice house, Crystal Hospice House, in Newport.

“Being the recipient of the 100 Great Nurses Scholarship is an honor,” said Creech. “When I first found out, I thought that they had mistakenly given it to me and it was meant for someone else! I have always wanted to be a nurse, and it truly is my calling. Being chosen for the 100 Great Nurses Scholarship still seems unbelievable, and I am truly grateful.”

Creech is set to graduate from UMO in August of 2015. In the future, Creech plans on pursuing a master’s degree in nursing and becoming a nurse educator.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.