With tears flowing and smiles beaming, five nursing graduates received their nursing pins from Averett University.

The Averett School of Nursing held its Class of 2019 Pinning Ceremony the morning of Friday, May 3 at the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center, honoring and celebrating those who have successfully completed their Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. The ceremony stems from centuries of tradition, and includes many significant symbols, from nursing caps and pins, to lamps and anointed oil

“We are here to honor our BSN graduates who have demonstrated that they are prepared to enter the nursing profession. This ceremony marks completion of their nursing education, and the beginning of their new roles,” said Dr. Pamela Giles, dean of the Averett School of Nursing.

Graduates were presented their nursing pin, which denotes the nursing school from which one has graduated, and the ceremony welcomes new nurses into the profession. In addition, the nursing cap worn by each graduate – except the one male in this graduating class – has been part of the female nurse’s uniform since the early history of nursing, representing a hygienic and professional look. Today, it serves as a universal symbol of nursing care and kindness.

The students wrote notes of heartfelt thanks to their instructors, classmates, families and friends for helping them in many ways – prayers, encouragement, food, knowledge, and more – to reach this milestone, and they were read aloud by nursing faculty.

Referring to their classmates as their “friends,” “nursing peeps,” “nursing family” and even their “sisters,” each expressed camaraderie and amity for their peers who have undergone the four-year program together. They also shared words of love for their families who supported them. One graduate tearfully thanked her family and loved ones for “covering me in prayer and speaking faith into my life,” and another thanked his parents for “eating their food.”

The gratitude for the nursing program and those who work in it was also evident.

“This program has shaped me into the person I am today and prepared me to be a nurse,” said one graduate. Another was grateful to the faculty for “challenging me to be a better nurse,” and another thankful to them for “pouring your love and knowledge of nursing into each of us.”

The ceremony also included a blessing of the hands from University Chaplain Rev. Skyler Daniel, and the graduates and all nurses in the room reciting in unison the Nightingale Pledge.

“It takes a very special person to be a nurse and to care for others. So on behalf of all of Averett University, thank you for making such a tremendous commitment to such a tremendous profession,” said Averett University President Dr. Tiffany M. Franks. She followed with some inspiring words from a woman known around the world for her care of others.

“Mother Teresa said, ‘I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.’ Work always to have the tools so that you will be able to cast the stone and create many ripples throughout your service as nurses. Congratulations, and much gratitude.”

The following morning, the nursing graduates were presented with their nursing degrees alongside their peers at the University’s commencement ceremony.