at Salem held its inaugural 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.
The 20 sophomore BSN students each received a white coat that will help establish their “professional identity” and coincides with the beginning of their clinical training.
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 the caring of patients and is intended for those training to become healthcare professionals. For nearly 30 years, these types of ceremonies have occurred at medical schools and began with nursing schools in 2014.
In her welcome to those gathered for the ceremony, BSN Lecturer Tara Murphy congratulated the students for reaching this milestone and reminded them of the commitment each must make to becoming a nurse.
“This is the day your life begins to change,” she said. “This is the day you commit to growing into the professional nurse you aspire to be for the rest of your career. There are many rights and privileges associated with being a member of the nursing profession, but there is also great responsibility.”
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.
Aside from the white coat, each student also received a lapel pin from the faculty on behalf of the Gold Foundation.
“That pin is a visual reminder of the pledge you made today,” Martin noted. “If you have a challenging experience at a clinical site or find yourself questioning why chose this path, look at this pin and remember what you pledged: to care for your patients with compassion, dignity, respect and empathy.”
Murphy read a blessing of the hands to signify how the students’ hands will perform life-saving tasks; bring comfort and peace to patients and their families; and provide care to the sick and scared,
“These hands will deliver compassion and respect for the people and families in your care,” she stated. “You may never understand all the ways your hands can heal, but your patients will. Being a nurse is a privilege and a gift to humanity.”
The BSN students honored in the White Coat Ceremony included Veronica Ballew, Chloe Chappell, Zacharie Dancy-Burgess, Joshua Darsie, Annie Davidson, Katie Dunn, Cally Mason, Morgan McGaffick, Rachael McGinnis, Olivia McCoy, Baylee Mohr, Jordyn Palicka, Nakkiya-Rose Plummer, Allysa Rance, Madison Rhome, Sundra Sacconi, Kasey Stabinski, Madalyn Thrasher, Hannah Yannucci and Bria Zban.
Cutline A: Blessing of the hands.
Cutline B: Zacharie Dancy-Burgess is pinned by Krista Hawkins, lecturer
Cutline C: Kasey Stabinski (left) receiving her coat from senior BSN students Baylee McCandless and Jessica Kisner
Cutline D: Senior BSN student Baylee McCandless presenting the white coat to Chloe Chappell
Cutline E: The BSN class of 2025 with their white coats include (back, from left): Joshua Darsie, Olivia McCoy, Allysa Rance, Katie Dunn, Cally Mason, Baylee Mohr, Bria Zban, Chloe Chappell, Annie Davidson; (middle, from left) Morgan McGaffick, Nakkiya Plummer, Hannah Yannucci, Zacharie Dancy-Burgess, Sundra Sacconi, Madison Rhome; and (front, from left) Rachael (Abby) McGinnis, Jordyn Palicka, Kasey Stabinski, Veronica Ballew, Madalyn Thrasher.