[Bala Shark]

I just had my graduation....I felt girly because the students chose to wear all white and we had to carry a girly flower...I mean, if males dont speak up about this, it would seem that it is a female profession..Just to note, the females did plan this pinning ceremony and I know for a fact, that it had a feminine tone to it..It was suited for females and not unisexed! Now that is not fair at all!

[Sheri257]

Well ... I'm female, and object to this stuff also. I DO NOT want to wear a white dress, cap, etc. to my ceremony. To me, it's absurd since they're making us pay for the graduation ... we should be able to wear whatever we want.

I seriously thinking of not going because I feel so strongly about it. I hate wearing white, and I hate wearing dresses. And I especially hate being told what to wear when I'm paying for the ceremony.

[studentforlife]

Regardless of what they make us wear, I'm out when it comes to carrying the flower. It's not homecoming. It's a ceremony that should reflect a sense of professionalism.

Sorry - that's just my opinion - I don't mean to offend anyone.

[llg]

I with you, folks. It should not be a "girly" ceremony -- and it should reflect the professionalism and scholarly achievements of nursing. If I were a student today, I would be leading the fight to modernize the procedings.

Good luck to you all!
llg

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Originally Posted by Bala Shark

I just had my graduation....I felt girly because the students chose to wear all white and we had to carry a girly flower...I mean, if males dont speak up about this, it would seem that it is a female profession..Just to note, the females did plan this pinning ceremony and I know for a fact, that it had a feminine tone to it..It was suited for females and not unisexed! Now that is not fair at all!

Kinda hard to fix this problem after the fact, Bala. And yes, it does reek of sexism.

Suggest that in future everyone carry candles and get a ceremonial light from the Lamp of Learning, and wear whatever they like?

[sunnyjohn]

I'm sorry, I'm a girl, but I am not carrying any flowers at graduation. Frankly I don't understand why we can't participate in the college's graduations ceremoney then have a private professional pinning later on. Caps and a white or blue suit for those women who wish to wear them, a blue suit and a medallion for the men.

I am all for tradition, but we need to draw the line.

Nurse deal with modern heath technologies and help to implement advances in medicine. This flower power stuff dose not reflect the professionalism or depth of the career.

Florence Nightengale was a trailblazer and forward thinking women in her day. If she was around today, she would surely have "got with the program"

[DONN]

That sounds really sweet................................lol

[truern]

At our pinning we wore white "dressy" uniforms, the women wore their caps (if they chose), and we received a longstem red rose after walking across the stage. The men simply gave theirs to their "special someone". We also lit our lanterns from our neighbor's lantern and recited the Nightingale Pledge. It was solemn, professional, and awe-inspiring. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

I will say that those that chose NOT to wear their caps looked out of place and somehow naked.

[Bala Shark]

Originally Posted by truesn

At our pinning we wore white "dressy" uniforms, the women wore their caps (if they chose), and we received a longstem red rose after walking across the stage. The men simply gave theirs to their "special someone". We also lit our lanterns from our neighbor's lantern and recited the Nightingale Pledge. It was solemn, professional, and awe-inspiring. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

I will say that those that chose NOT to wear their caps looked out of place and somehow naked.

Yes, you are a woman and I assume that you felt is was special..The flower we had to carry it and hold it for a long period of time and we did not give it to a special someone..Nightingale was in the era where probably 0% males were in nursing..And we did have to recite that also carrying the flower..Now we had to carry some girly flower..I do not know, but my impression was that it was a very feminine ceremony designed for the female race..I am a guy so I should know...And if males wore the cap in your ceremony, that is suppose to be a female cap..Females only have that cap on..

[NRSKarenRN]

Bala, you state students planned the event. Did you participate in any of the preliminary planning? Volunteers are always asked for these things.

Gotta stand up for your self as professional...speaking up starts in nursing program by making YOUR voice heard. What part of the ceremony did you help plan.... unless you added your and they didn't listen to your concerns, chalk it up as a lesson learned. Not everyone realizes men might be upset carrying a flower, most often a rose.... you could have given it to anyone in procession or to family/loved one afterwards.

My sons still kiss and hug me in public--know they can twist my arm that way too. Teddy bear with school jacket was item HS grad son enjoyed most this month---along with Culinary magazine and balloons. Sometimes we win, other times bomb out.


Did you share feelings with classmates later...may word in next class presidents ear might be helpful too for next years class.

Lesson to all pinning ceremony planners: ASK for input from male contingent in class.