White Coat Ceremony marks next step for master's nursing students

The journey to advanced practice took another significant step as 88 Master of Science in Nursing students received their white coats during the Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions White Coat Ceremony on August 4. The annual tradition signifies the beginning of clinical education and a commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

The ceremony celebrated students entering the clinical phase of their graduate education, where they will complete more than 750 hours of hands-on training over the next three semesters in hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities throughout the region.

This year's cohort represents a variety of advanced practice nursing tracks, including Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS), Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS).

Nursing Department Head Dr. Mary Ellen Santucci., welcomed students and their guests, followed by remarks from Rowan University Chancellor Tony Lowman and Dean Peter Rattigan Ph.D.

"You're part of the healthcare powerhouse of the region," Lowman told the students, encouraging them as they begin the next phase of their professional education.

Santucci reflected on the meaning behind the ceremony and the responsibility that comes with wearing the white coat.

"As many of you know, the White Coat Ceremony is a time-honored tradition. It is an academic ritual in the health professions, both for physicians and nurses. White is a symbol of purity, and the white coat symbolizes the purity of purpose affirmed by students accepting the coat today. The white coat symbolizes two important commitments: commitment to patients and commitment to each other."

She also reminded students that while the pace of healthcare can be demanding, compassionate care requires patience.

"Our patients are telling you to take your time. Always listen to your patients."

The presentation of white coats was conducted by the program coordinators: Dr. Melissa Mordecai, the coordinator of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program; Dr. Kaspar the coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, and Dr. Robert White, the coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner Program. Each student was called individually to the stage to receive a white coat embroidered with the school's logo.

Students also received a gift bag including a leather-bound journal and stress reduction kit to commemorate the occasion.

The Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions is one of three schools within the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences at Rowan University, alongside the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences.

The White Coat Ceremony tradition was established in 1993 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation at Columbia University to emphasize humanism in healthcare. Originally associated with medical education, the ceremony expanded to nursing schools nationwide in 2014 through a partnership between the Gold Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, recognizing students' commitment to compassionate, ethical patient care.