Husson University Pinning Ceremony Welcomes New Nurses Into the Profession
Published on: May 5, 2022
BANGOR, MAINE – Husson University’s School of Nursing announced today that they will be holding a pinning ceremony honoring the graduates of their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Husson’s Newman Gymnasium in Bangor.
Eighty-two Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), one Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN), 42 Master of Science in Nursing and nine Post-Master’s Certificates in Nursing graduates will be participating in the pinning ceremony. Mary Prybylo, RN (Registered Nurse), MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), the president of St. Joseph Healthcare/St. Joseph Hospital and the senior vice president of Covenant Health will be this year’s keynote speaker.
“Undergraduate and graduate nursing students are symbolically welcomed into the nursing profession as part of the pinning ceremony. The nursing pins presented to the students show that they earned their degrees from Husson University’s School of Nursing,” said Dr. Valerie Sauda, chief nurse administrator, director of undergraduate nursing, and associate professor in Husson University’s College of Health and Pharmacy. “The pinning ceremony is considered a time-honored nursing school tradition.”
“During the pinning ceremony, graduating nurses are presented with their BSN or MSN nursing pins,” said Dr. Annette DeRoche, the director of the graduate nursing program and an assistant professor in the University’s School of Nursing. “Nurses cherish the meaning of the pinning ceremony. It is a combined celebration of their accomplishments and eagerness, as they anticipate the next steps in their new role within the nursing profession”
As part of the ceremony, graduate nurses and registered nurses (RNs) receiving a higher degree will be asked to recite a pledge based on an oath originally created by Florence Nightingale[1], a renowned nurse and the founder of the first secular professional training school for nurses.[2]
“A pinning ceremony is an acknowledgement by our faculty that a student is ready to fulfill the requirements of being a nurse,” said Dr. James D. Nash, dean of the College of Health and Pharmacy. “It’s an important career milestone where students are recognized as elite members of a select community dedicated to healing others.”
History of the Pinning Ceremony:
The pinning ceremony has been a part of Husson University’s nursing school tradition since 1986 when the first class of BSN students graduated. This rite of passage can be traced back to the Crusades of the 12th century. During this time, the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist tended to injured and infirm Crusaders. When new monks were initiated into the order, they vowed to serve these sick soldiers in a ceremony where each monk was given a Maltese cross, the first badges given to those who nurse.[3]
The modern ceremony dates back to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. By 1916, the pinning of new graduates was a standard practice throughout the U.S.[4]
The Pledge:
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.
I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.
I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.
With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.
More about Keynote Speaker Mary Prybylo, RN, MSN:
Prybylo became the President of St. Joseph Healthcare/St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, Maine in 2011. Having worked in patient care as a Registered Nurse, and later as an MSN, her experience and education provided her with an understanding and compassion for people, health and care. She also gained an in-depth understanding of leadership and administration.
Prior to her time at St. Joseph Healthcare, Prybylo served as the chief operating officer (COO) at Waterbury Hospital Health Center where she was responsible for operations, physician partnerships and strategic initiatives that supported the delivery of patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Earlier in her career, Prybylo held several positions including the director of community care management and vice president of managed care and operations within the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut system, as well as vice president for patient care services at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Conn.
More about Husson University:
Husson University’s School of Nursing provides the advanced knowledge students need to become caring professionals dedicated to meeting the health needs of all people. Graduates help patients achieve their maximum health potential. Nurses comprise the largest component of the expanding healthcare sector[5], providing opportunities for individuals who seek one-on-one relationships with patients to executive positions in the health industry, from mental health nurses to primary care.
Students can choose to enroll in an undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. The undergraduate program is a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree that’s available on campus. The University also offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program online or on campus with a choice of four specializations. These specializations include the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGAC-NP) program, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. There is also a Post-Graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Certificate program.
The School of Nursing is just one of several schools that are a part of Husson University’s College of Health and Pharmacy. Others include the School of Physical Therapy, the School of Occupational Therapy and the School of Pharmacy.
The facilities at Husson University include a state-of-the-art nursing simulation learning center with lifelike manikins the give aspiring nurses the opportunity to practice their skills, a cadaver dissection lab, excellent library resources and wireless computer access.
For more than 120 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs. According to a recent analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.[1] Wikipedia, “Nightingale Pledge” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightingale_Pledge, Accessed 5/3/22
[2] Wikipedia, “Florence Nightingale,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale, Accessed 5/3/22
[3] NurseDegree.net, “Guide to Nursing Degrees,” https://www.nursedegree.net/faq/what-is-a-nurse-pinning-ceremony/, Accessed 5/3/22
[4] Ibid
[5] American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Fact Sheet, https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Fact-Sheet, Accessed 5/3/22