Faculty of Health Sciences hosts graduation tea and pinning ceremony

Students of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to BScN programs were recently joined by family members and faculty and staff from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College for the inaugural Graduation Tea and Pinning Ceremony held on campus.

“Congratulations to the Nursing class of 2012,” said Dr. Sue Coffey, director, Nursing program. “Through the hard work and dedication of the students, partnered with the incredible hands-on experiences they’ve gleaned from UOIT’s technology-enriched learning environment and the support of our partners, these new nurses are well-prepared to succeed in the 21^st-century health-care environment.”

The event, designed to welcome new graduates to the nursing profession, included an awards presentation and pinning ceremony followed by a candle lighting ceremony to symbolize the care and devotion a nurse administers to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing. The candle lighting also symbolizes the passing of the flame from Florence Nightingale to each nurse. Students recited the Nightingale pledge, which is traditionally taken by new nurses and an adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians.

The BScN program is offered in collaboration with Durham College and the RPN to BScN program is offered in collaboration with Durham College and Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. This year marks the first graduation of a Georgian College cohort.