One of the joys of being in nursing academia is seeing the excitement and passion of new undergraduate students as they begin their role-specific coursework to enter the profession. Most students are excited, nervous, anxious, and not quite sure what they have gotten themselves into. When I graduated from my undergraduate nursing program, we celebrated completion of coursework with a pinning ceremony. Family and friends were invited to celebrate as each graduate wore their professional white uniform for the first time and were "pinned" with the school of nursing pin, which usually incorporated the university logo in some way. Nurses proudly wore their nursing school pin on their uniform or scrubs, indicating where each nurse had been educated and the level of educational preparation completed. When I completed my Master's degree, I also received and wore a pin from that program. The Master's pin was larger in size than my baccalaureate pin and represented a great deal of additional hard work to enhance my practice knowledge and skills. Now, I don't as often see nurses wearing their nursing pin in the practice setting. That tradition it seems is no longer as valued as it was in my early nursing years.
At the same time that I received my nursing pin, my graduating class was the last to have the opportunity to purchase a nursing cap from my university. Thankfully, we were not required to wear the cap as students, as I am sure I would have struggled to keep it appropriately placed on my head. But I do display it in my office where it often brings a smile to the face of current nursing students. As the nursing cap was once the "standard" for registered nurses, the nursing pin became the "standard" tradition for my era of nursing graduates.
Recently, the university where I am now privileged to teach has embraced a new tradition for nursing students. Instead of waiting until graduation to memorialize an important entry to practice, nursing programs across the country are beginning to celebrate "white coat" ceremonies as students enter the clinical environment for the first time as nursing students. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation and American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) formally introduced the idea in 2014 and it has quickly been embraced by nursing programs nationally (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/news/articles/2014/gold-foundation-white-coat). At my university, recent nursing alumni are invited to ceremoniously slip a white coat onto the shoulders of new nursing students entering the clinical portion of their education, signifying the responsibility and privilege of moving into the practice setting. As with the typical pinning ceremony, family and friends are invited to attend as a show of support and commitment to these students.
After students receive their white coat, all nurses (both faculty and guests) are asked to stand and participate in reciting the White Coat Ceremony Oath:
As a Nurse dedicated to providing the highest quality care and services, I solemnly pledge that I will:
* Consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns;
* Act in a compassionate and trustworthy manner in all aspects of my care;
* Apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients;
* Exercise sound professional judgment while abiding by legal and ethical requirements;
* Accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence;
* Promote, advocate for, and strive to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.
With this pledge, I accept the duties and responsibilities that embody the nursing profession. I take this oath voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.
Traditions such as the new white coat ceremony and the capping ceremony of old are all important rituals that remind us of the seriousness with which we enter the profession of nursing, and the responsibilities and duties that accompany this rite of passage. Participating in the recent ceremony caused me to pause in reflection. Have I honored my profession with the earnest passion that I brought with me as I entered nursing practice 35 years ago? Have I sought to provide compassionate care as a team member dedicated to the ongoing welfare of my patients and society? Have I continued to grow and develop professionally, educationally, and personally in order to bring the best to my patients and peers? Would I choose nursing all over again?
Thankfully, my sincere answer to each reflective question is a resounding "yes." And my desire for each of the students and colleagues participating in nursing traditions across time is that we be consistently reminded of the privilege and responsibility we hold as members of the nursing profession. Though our settings, skills, and knowledge change with the evolution of science and society, I believe that our obligation will always remain that of providing exceptional, safe, and quality nursing care to patients and humanity. Here's to traditions new and old!