Kent State at Salem held a White Coat Ceremony for students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, signifying a rite of passage as they transition into the nursing field.
Six sophomore BSN students each received a white coat that helps establish their “professional identity” and coincides with the beginning of training in clinical settings.
The White Coat Ceremony was established in 1993 at Columbia University by the Gold Foundation as a way to highlight the importance of humanism in caring for patients by those training to become healthcare professionals. For 30 years, these types of ceremonies occurred at medical schools and began with nursing schools in 2014.
Led by Lorene Martin, program coordinator and faculty member, the students recited a pledge to accept and uphold the tenets of the nursing profession that include integrity, excellence, compassion, collaboration, altruism, respect, resilience, empathy and service.
The students also received a “blessing of the hands” to signify how their hands will perform life-saving tasks; bring comfort and peace to patients and families; and provide care to the sick and scared.
Aside from the white coat, each student received a lapel pin on behalf of the Gold Foundation, placed on their coats by family members.
The BSN students honored in the White Coat Ceremony included Alexancer Flores-Pizarro, Samantha Gainor, Allie Gries, Brylee Meliz, Christopher Rodriguez and Madison Rose.
Cutline A: Blessing of the hands.
Cutline B: Reciting the student nursing pledge.
Cutline C: Receiving their white coats were (front, from left) Samantha Gainor, Allie Gries, Christopher Rodriguez, Alexander Flores-Pizarro, Madison Rose and Brylee Melia.
Cutline D: Allie Gries receives her pin from a loved one.