Hundreds of Bismarck-Mandan community members attended the inaugural White Coat Ceremony for NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck held on Oct. 19.
A white coat ceremony officially welcomes students into the nursing program. They receive white coats symbolizing their duty to patients and colleagues. In addition, students recite the Florence Nightingale pledge, which is intended to instill a culture of respect, dignity and compassion for both patients and medical professionals.
“The ceremony was a wonderful occasion,” said Karen Latham, chair of NDSU Nursing at Sanford Heath and associate professor of practice. “It offered us the opportunity to share with our students and their families and friends a glimpse of what is to come; a time for us to encourage the support of families as students progress through the program. The white coat symbolizes their intent to be ethical and honorable in their behavior as a nurse.”
One hundred and two students were hooded with their white coats. An estimated 550 to 600 people attended, creating a standing room only event.
The ceremony featured welcoming remarks from NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani and Charles Peterson, NDSU dean of pharmacy, nursing and allied sciences.
“The inaugural event was a great opportunity to celebrate the introduction of NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health with the Bismarck-Mandan community,” said Carla Gross, associate dean, chair and associate professor of practice.
For more information, contact Sara Wald, director of development, at 701-231-6461 or sara.wald@ndsu.edu.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.