I am in my fourth semester, and the pinning ceremony is in December. The ceremony is traditional in that the female students wear the white cap, we'll light our 'lamps', and we will be 'pinned' by the professors who taught fourth semester. Students are required to wear white, and the school allows a little leeway- white tops/pants paired with white shoes (or white dresses or tops/skirts if the women prefer) are all acceptable for the ceremony.
This fall, however, there has been quite a bit of grumbling among some of the students about having to wear the caps. They feel it is ridiculous to pay the fee (ours is only $20) to purchase a cap they feel they will never wear again. This has caused such an uproar that it was put to a vote. While we are waiting for the final tally, I am disgusted at their attitudes towards wearing the caps. For the record, it isn't about coming up with the money for buying the caps- fund raising and 'loaning' of caps from previous graduates of the program have all been suggested as options for those unable to provide the funds. It is a few students having a fit because they feel they are being forced to come up with even more money to put into a program they've already paid 'too much for' to begin with.
I feel that Nursing isn't just a job, its also a tradition, and the cap is one of the symbols of the profession- a badge of sorts. Generations of nurses before me have all worn the cap, both on the job and at their pinning, and there are thousands of pictures hanging on walls or in photo albums of women who have completed their training. I have worked very hard to finish the program, and I feel that being able to wear the hat (even if only for the two hours at pinning and never again) is an honor. I am part of something that has endured, that is respected, and is more than just a big paycheck.
I would like to find out what others have to say about wearing the caps...what it meant or will mean to them to wear the cap, and how you feel about a school throwing away a vital part of a tradition.
WELL SAID justme1972...it only takes a few whiners to ruin an entirely beautiful tradition that has been observed for years...that Charleston ceremony is a great idea...I hope it never changes
I'm always surprised by how much drama there is concerning these silly ceremonies.
I'm greatly looking forward to graduating, and I understand that the historical aspects of these ceremonies are important to some people.
I'm not particularly interested in attending either pinning or graduation, but I will be there with bells (or white clothes) on, if it's what I need to do to graduate and go to work. I'd wear a pink mumu if I had to.
Why is this always so dramatic? It's a couple of hours of your life. Wear the silly hat, get your license, and go on with your life, people!
I'm not planning on attending either myself, but I am curious from your reply if it is necessary in your school to attend in order to graduate, from your post it seems that way
conuan61
12 Posts
WELL SAID justme1972...it only takes a few whiners to ruin an entirely beautiful tradition that has been observed for years...that Charleston ceremony is a great idea...I hope it never changes