The Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduation was held yesterday at Nipissing University.
After graduation, a special pinning ceremony was held for nursing graduates; they were officially welcomed to the profession of Nursing by their professors and presented with a ceremonial pin.
There were 230 graduates from the BSc Nursing program yesterday, according to a news release from Nipissing. It included the Nipissing's Scholar Practitioner Program, RPN to BScN program and the Nipissing University/Canadore College Collaborative Nursing program.
The event also included a ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolizing Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, known as “the Lady with the lamp” who made the rounds of wounded soldiers each night during the Crimean War.
Nursing graduates stood with their hands on their new pins to read a modernized version of the Nightingale Pledge:
"I solemnly pledge in the presence of this assembly to use all the knowledge, skills, and understanding that I possess when providing professional nursing care. I will deliver nursing care non-judgmentally and to all those who require it, to the best of my ability. I vow to refrain from any action which might be harmful to the quality of life or health of those I care for. I will treat each patient with respect and hold in professional confidence all the personal information entrusted to me. I will keep my professional knowledge and skills at the highest level and give my support and cooperation to all members of the health care team. I will do all in my power to contribute to the advancement of nursing and I will maintain my practice in accordance with the professional standards required for my profession."
