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POV offers the ����ɬ���� community an opportunity to share insights into topics of importance. Versie Johnson-Mallard, Ph.D., dean of ����ɬ����'s College of Nursing and Henderson Memorial Endowed Leadership Chair., offers her thoughts on the college’s “White Coat Ceremony,” which marks an official crossing over of students into this exceptional nursing program. 

When I joined the ����ɬ���� College of Nursing, I prioritized introducing the White Coat Ceremony – a first in the university’s history. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation established the White Coat Ceremony in 1993 at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons to emphasize humanism in medicine at the beginning of medical education. 

In 2014, recognizing the vital role of nurses in healthcare, the Gold Foundation partnered with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to adapt the ceremony for nursing students. 

While the ceremony may vary across institutions, it is a significant milestone in nursing education, highlighting the significance of humanistic care – compassionate, collaborative and evidence-based – while helping shape students’ professional identities early in their training.

Our White Coat Ceremony, which has been held on the Kent and Regional Campuses each semester since Spring Semester 2023, welcomes second-year nursing students into the professional nursing sequence before they embark on their clinical rotations where they will provide bedside care in the hospital for the first time. 

Following a guest speaker address by a recent BSN graduate, students don their white coats, symbolizing their future commitment and responsibility to their patients, after which they recite the White Coat Pledge, vowing to extend patient-centered care. Our White Coat Ceremony objective is to impart this clear message – compassionate care must be the hallmark of your clinical practice.

Our students not only understand the symbolism and message but also welcome and identify with it, as evidenced by the following testimonies:

"That ceremony made me feel seen and it was good opportunity for my family to watch a part of my nursing journey that they may not have otherwise been able to see."

"Very successful and proud of myself."

"I am so excited that we had this opportunity! I know our staff is always a great support system but to have them there today really lifted my spirits. I am so excited for this upcoming semester and so grateful for the opportunity to stand with my class and celebrate this momentous occasion!"

Before dismissing the students to celebrate, I leave them with these words:

“As you continue your journey, know that you are following in the footsteps of those who came before you, carrying forward the proud tradition of ����ɬ���� College of Nursing. You are part of our legacy, and we cannot wait to celebrate all your future accomplishments as you work toward becoming a BSN-prepared nurse.”