Campbell’s first class of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students held a pinning ceremony on May 10 in Butler Chapel. Nancy Duffy, director of Nursing, presided at the auspicious event, which was attended by Luby Wood and Catherine W. Wood, namesake of the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing.
After a welcome from Duffy and greetings from Michael L. Adams (’96 PharmD), dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Pam Jenkins delivered the keynote address. Jenkins is a member of the nursing department’s Community Advisory Board and a department volunteer. She reminded the cohort that through their time at Campbell they learned the true value of teamwork and through teamwork is delivered the best patient care. Jenkins welcomed the group into the profession of nursing. “We pass the torch of nursing for you to take over at the patients’ bedside.”
Each student selected a family member, friend or mentor to place the pin on their white coat. After each student received their pin, Professor Lori Byrd led the charter class in the Florence Nightingale Pledge.
History of the Nursing Pin and Ceremony
The tradition of the nursing pin and the ceremonial pinning began in the 1860s at the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas Hospital in London. Having been recently awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her selfless service to the injured and dying in the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale chose to extend the honor to her most outstanding graduate nurses by presenting them each with a medal of excellence.
The Pinning Ceremony now marks the passage from the student role to the practice role. The pin of each school of nursing is unique, and only graduates of that school may wear the pin as a statement that they have completed that program. Campbell University Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing’s Inaugural Class of 2018 designed the pin.
