Pinning ceremony, now that you're an RN, was it worth it?

[Halinja]

I'm wondering how you experienced nurses feel about your pinning ceremony now that you are out in the working world.

I'm a single mother. Money is tight. Our class wants in the neighborhood of 250.00 for each of us to participate in the pinning ceremony. I believe that does NOT pay for the pin itself. So...if I don't do this, what will it mean in the long run? Will I regret it? Or will I be glad I saved my money?

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

i asked other nurses 20plus years experience and they could not even remember their ceremony.

LOL, thank you! I kind of think I'd be one of the ones who couldn't even remember. (I forgot my wedding anniversary much more often than I remembered it)

designed to please a few members of the class.

that too...this is something cooked up by a small handful of people...we've never been asked for our input.

The cool part is...the graduation ceremony is separate, run by the university, so my kids can come and see me graduate, and I think they'll understand that better anyway.

Thank you so much to everyone who is answering, both the yesses and the nos. It does help!

[TazziRN, RN]

I graduated in 1988 and have worn my pin since then. But that's me, I'm sentimental. If ceremonies don't matter much to you and you have a choice of not paying for it, then don't.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

Shoot, Tazzi, you asked me something way back and I didn't answer. Sorry. You asked about going to admin.

Trouble is, it is something that the president and vice pres of the class came up with (and maybe their little cadre of friends). I don't know if the school has anything to do with it at all.

[sailornurse]

I teach at a BSN program. The School pays for everything. The pins etc.

It is a beautiful program. I start to cry each time. But I also smile as each student is pinned by their family, sometimes I remember the first time I helped that student with an IV/foley etc. The whole program is planned by the faculty. We order flowers, arrange the music, print the invitations & program.

We ask the students to select a speaker from each group, ( We have traditional BSN students, RN's completing BSN's, & Masters) This the only time the students see the entire faculty together & we were our academic regalia ( mortarboards/gowns). The students decide what they will wear, lately it is black/white theme & they pay for pictures. The committee arranges for a photog to be available after the dress rehearsal. This is the last time you will see your class together, & many you will never see again, ever. That said. I am in the process of ordering a replacement pin & the most expensive one is $272 for a 14 K white gold. I too am curious about the high cost. Maybe it won't help you but perhaps those that follow, if they can know ahead of time. You also have to pay to take NCLEX, the fingerprints, perhaps buy NCLEX study books or take a review course, but you've got nothing to lose by asking about the breakdown for the costs. Never too late to compromise. Maybe your family could give you this a an early Holiday gift/graduation gift? Good luck & Congratulations.

[TazziRN, RN]

Shoot, Tazzi, you asked me something way back and I didn't answer.

That's 'kay, I'm used to being ignored.

[Jocie]

I think pinning cerimony was very important...it means more to me than actual graduation...just cause my class was pretty close... but 250.00...no way i think we payed like 25.00 and that wasn't bad. why are they expecting you to pay so much...not sure its worth that much to be honest.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

That's 'kay, I'm used to being ignored.

Noooooooo!!!

jdrake_rn why are they expecting you to pay so much?

Heck if I know! That's a LOT of groceries that I could buy instead.

[Ayonti]

I did not go to my pinning ceremony and I did not have second thoughts about it. I knew I did not want to go but I asked my husband and children if they wanted to go because they went through this journey with me. They all said they did not want to go. It did not bother them in the least. I was happy because I really did not want to go. We all had a good time at my graduation with the rest of the family.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

JohnBearPA that is a priceless story.

[AfloydRN, BSN, RN]

I didn't go- Had to work that day. You will receive your pin wheather you attend ceremony or not.