ALLIANCE - On February 9, the University of Mount Union’s Department of Nursing celebrated its first White Coat Ceremony recognizing fifty-two sophomore and junior students for their commitment to the health care profession.

This momentous ceremony marks the celebration of the “rite to entry” to the profession in which these students have worked hard to enter. At this point in these students’ curriculum, they have completed important tasks in the process of becoming a health care professional. The sophomores are now set to begin the clinical-aspect of the nursing program.

“These white coats carry the symbolism of compassionate, patient-centered care which these students will now need to employ,” said Dr. Nezam Al-Nsair, professor and chair of the Department of Nursing at Mount Union. 

Mount Union was one of two Universities in Ohio chosen to receive the highly competitive Arnold P. Gold Foundation Grant through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Gold-AACN) which was the driving force behind funding the White Coat Ceremony.

Following the ceremony, the students and faculty joined in reciting the Nightingale Oath, which served as an acceptance of all duties and responsibilities associated with the nursing profession. 

For more information about Mount Union’s direct-entry BSN program, visit mountunion.edu/nursing.