UC College of Nursing Celebrates 1st White Coat Ceremony

The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing celebrated its first White Coat Ceremony on the evening of Aug. 26, 2015, recognizing the 2015 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) sophomores for their commitment to the health care profession. UC President Santa Ono, PhD, Provost Beverly Davenport, UC College of Nursing faculty and staff and families of students celebrated the inaugural event held in Great Hall, Tangeman University Center.

As the sophomores begin the clinical component of the BSN program, the donning of white coats represents their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. The white coat itself is symbolic of professionalism. During the ceremony, College of Nursing Dean Greer Glazer addressed students to remember the ceremony as their commitment to the transformation of health care.

"Remember your commitment to provide the highest quality care to your patients and their families,” Glazer said in her address. "You are not going to have all of the answers. You are not going to be able heal everyone. However, you will have the ability to transform lives. You will have the ability to provide quality care. You will have the ability to change outcomes as a nurse leader. And that’s what we ask you to commit to and practice in your career as a nurse.”

Following the presentation of white coats, students recited the white coat pledge led by Executive Director of Undergraduate Programs Yvette Pryse, which served as their acceptance of all duties and responsibilities associated with the nursing profession.

The UC College of Nursing 2015 sophomore class consists of 184 students. This was the college’s first class to be admitted as direct admit freshman. The class achieved a first year retention rate of 94 percent. The class includes five veterans, seven students born in another country and two students with foreign citizenship. Ninety-two percent of the students are from Ohio and 20 percent are first generation. In addition, nine percent are of an underrepresented race and 31 percent were from the Top 10 percent of their high school class. 

"White coat ceremonies are a national, long-held tradition that we, as a college, are elated to adopt,” Glazer says. "Presenting these high-potential students with white coats is designed to solidify their commitment to providing patient-centered care and ultimately serving as leaders in the transformation of health care.”