skipping graduation/pinning?

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So I'm graduating in 3 more weeks, and the more I think about the graduation and pinning ceremony, I kind of just don't want to go. This is my second time in college, so I've done the graduation thing before and I'm just kind of over it. I'm tired and I don't need anything extra to worry about. Did anyone else skip their ceremony because they just didn't really want to go?

Also, I've had a lot of classmates fail out and it's just taken the spirits out of the rest of us. Add to this the normal stress of being a senior and I just want to take my diploma and move on.

rncat2000

42 Posts

I didn't go to my grad ceremony but it was my second time around as well. I did go to my pinning however. It was held separately and it was a more meaningful thing to me than graduation because my grandmother who is also a nurse was able to pin me. It is a special memory I will cherish forever.

K9005

58 Posts

I am also a second degree student and plan on attending both ceremonies when I graduate from nursing school. I totally understand how you feel though. I do think that you should at least go to the pinning ceremony. It is a celebration of all your hard work, you deserve it!

Raviepoo

318 Posts

Specializes in hospice.

I'm skipping graduation and going to pinning. Like you, I'm a second degree student. The credential that is important to me is RN. ADN, not so much. I don't need to walk across a stage in a line with thousands of other students. I want to celebrate the experiences that have earned me the privilege of taking the NCLEX-RN and functioning as an advanced-beginner nurse. That means something to me. Listening to the big heads speachify about the bright future of a generation to which I don't belong, not so much.

valpo_rn01

14 Posts

I skipped both. 13 years later, I don't regret it.

Specializes in ICU.

I have to go. I am not a second degree student, but I am older. To me it's an accomplishment to graduate nursing school whether it's your first or second degree. I think a nursing school degree is a bit harder earned than a general liberal arts degree or a business degree. This is hard and you should be proud of making it through!! I know some people just aren't into the whole graduation thing. My ex husband graduated with his associate's in HVAC and didn't go to the graduation. It didn't matter to him. I will be super excited and I want my parents and boyfriend to see me walk the stage!! Plus, I wouldn't miss my pinning ceremony for the world. It's another accomplishment in life. It will never happen again.

edimo

78 Posts

I'm also a second degree student. I almost didn't attend my graduation and changed my mind at the last minute. I'm glad that I went. It gave me a sense of closure and was a really nice way to celebrate with my fellow nursing students/friends. I don't regret my decision.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN

3 Articles; 10,428 Posts

My first degree, didn't have any interest in Pomp and Circumstance, so didn't go. No regrets.

Second degree was for nursing, STILL no interest in P&C, so skipped the cap and gown graduation but wouldn't have missed the Nursing program's Pinning Ceremony for anything! I felt that was more relevant to why I had been studying so hard, so that's the ceremony I attended. Very glad that I went (and still don't regret skipping the cap/gown thing at all, LOL!)

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

In years to come you will be glad that you have the picture of your class in professional nursing attire.

My class picture is in the hallway outside the Dean's office. I graduated from a faith based and very respected program. They are my family.

I would say attend both out of respect to your professors. The reception afterward is always a very nice event.

These connections may be very important at some point in the future.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I did the pinning to be with my classmates, but skipped the graduation for my ADN program. I was at graduation for BSN and MSN though, partly because I felt I had achieved a life-time goal and partly because I wanted to experience it.

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I graduated about a year ago. I did t attend the pinning or graduation. I have no regrets. While a part of me wanted to spend that special time with my classmates, a part of me was ready to be done with school. The friends who I missed the most.... We still meet up and talk / text regularly.

Nursing2102

276 Posts

I graduate in May 2015 and this is my second bachelors degree as well. I will not be attending graduation but I will be attending the pinning ceremony. I'm over the whole cap & gown graduation but pinning is a must for me.

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