Many compassionate people enjoy helping others and dream of becoming a nurse. Taking care of those who are ill and working to save lives is an honorable and meaningful endeavor.
Students who want to become LPNs must complete a specialized Practical Nursing program where they gain the skills and experience needed to take care of patients effectively. Following the completion of comprehensive nursing training, a student will be honored with an official nursing graduation ceremony. There is a deep significance to this ceremony, which dates back hundreds of years, and nurses have been a part of this ceremony throughout history.
Find out why this special graduation ceremony is so memorable by reading on!
History of Nursing Pinning Ceremony
The nursing pinning ceremony dates back hundreds of years to the Crusades in the 12th century. The pins were given to the Knights of the Order of the Hospital, who cared for the sick and wounded on the battlefield. Afterward, when new monks were brought in, they continued giving each a Maltese cross badge as part of the tradition.
Later during the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale, who was the founder of modern nursing, was honored by the Royal Red Cross for her efforts in caring for the wounded. Upon completion of their studies, Nightingale presented her exceptional nursing students with a medal of excellence and a pin. The pinning ceremonies gradually expanded to include all nurses who graduated and completed their training.
Pinning ceremonies for nursing graduates became common in the United States and the UK in the early 1900s. This significant event still exists today for many nurses who are preparing to enter the nursing profession.
Significance of Pinning Ceremony
As opposed to a traditional graduation ceremony, this special nursing graduation ceremony is held specifically for students who have completed the hard work required to earn a nursing degree and aspire to practice as nurses. It symbolizes nursing students’ commitment to the nursing profession and their patients through their continuous effort. For many nursing graduates, it’s an emotional and meaningful experience. The ceremony is often attended by friends and family to commemorate the achievement.
Students often dedicate their pins to someone important in their lives. They could be a relative or someone who has inspired them during their nursing education. Upon receiving their pin, the nursing student will present it to this significant person.
As part of United Career Institute’s pinning ceremonies, graduates receive a candle lamp, which is a symbolic symbol of Florence Nightingale, who made her rounds with a lamp. As they light the candle on their lamp, nursing students recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge, which promises faithful practice of the nursing profession and dedication to patients.
Practical Nursing Training With United Career Institute
United Career Institute might be the right choice for you if you’re interested in becoming a practical nurse. We offer an accelerated Practical Nursing diploma program that takes just 12 months to complete so that you can begin your nursing career as soon as possible! The direct admission Practical Nursing program eliminates the need to take other classes that aren’t relevant to nursing. Upon entering the program, you begin your nursing courses immediately.
As part of their nursing training, nursing students learn a multitude of essential skills, including conducting physical assessments, administering medications, performing phlebotomy, and administering injections. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN* licensing exam, which is required to become a practical nurse.
Practical nursing students have the opportunity to complete their clinicals in local medical facilities such as Excela Health, Allegheny Health Network, and Hempfield Manor.
To start your journey to become a practical nurse, contact us at 724-515-2440 or request information today!
*Passing the NCLEX-PN is required to become a practical nurse.