Hello everyone, I just finished my last exit ATI predictor exam with 99% passing the NCLEX, and my pinning day is tomorrow. After deep thinking and since I'm the only male student, I decided not to go for pinning and graduation. I have another degree and passing nursing school is huge thing for me and I feel really great. Some of my friends are telling me since I'm not going to pinning that means I didn't take nursing school seriously which is not true at all.
I spent the last two years working nights and study with 2 kids and wife to take care of and beside that I graduated with 3.8 GPA in one of the hardest nursing schools in my area and one of the toughest programs. I went to nursing school to earn a degree and start new career not to get a pin. I have a job lined up already and I'm preparing for the NCLEX which I'll take within few weeks. Did anyone of you skip his pinning/ graduation? and how you really feel about it?
I went to mine, but it did not feel unique or special to me. After, I was a bit sad and not because it was our last time as a nursing group, but how quickly everyone dispersed. I was looking to take many photos and give hugs and congratulations, but within 10 minutes of the ceremony ending, everyone already left and went their own ways. Seemed like most wanted to get out and party rather than to say one final farewell to each other. But that's how the nursing program was and is. We are their to become nurses, not to make friends. When I got my license is when I truly felt something. I didn't bother going to the actual college graduation though.
I think I got two letters from my best friend in nursing school after she moved, then I never heard from her again. Over the years have refrained from trying to strike up the friendship again. Just think she must have been too busy. Sad that relationships are not always maintained.
Well after I posted this I didn't go for both of my pinning and graduation and truly I don't regret it. I'm working into passing my boards right now and this is truly what will make me a nurse after all. I'm not into partying and going out I spent my two years in nursing school working 3 12 hours shift as an aid and all what I wanted to do when I finished my last exam is just to rest and relax and spend time with my family.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I didn't go to pinning, but it was because our pinning ceremony was a very religious ceremony that I did not want to be part part of. I wish I could have gone, but, there it is...I went to graduation which was wonderful, and I'm glad I went to it
I didn't go to pinning or graduation from nursing school. There were very personal reasons but one of them was that I already obtained a BS in Education in the early 90's from a university and had the entire college experience- including joining a sorority and did the whole cap and gown, pictures, flowers, family, hugs, etc. so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
Additionally, I went to a community college where most were "older" and had jobs, families and it was their 2nd degree and/or career and I think that changes the dynamic a lot.
Soon to be male graduate nurse. I feel the same as the OP. I do not plan on going to my pinning. The pinning doesn't symbolize anything to me. The main accomplishment is that I finished nursing school. I dont see skipping the pinning as disrespectful at all.
Additionally, I hear that many pinning ceremonies can get really sentimental and emotional and that can get awkward for a guy.
I just wonder what being the only guy means in terms of not attending. I get that, for some people, it's a bit of an archaic tradition. But, it is one thing to stand up and represent as the only guy in your cohort. I'm sure your absence was noticed.
There was one guy for a pinning that I volunteered to help with and he didn't show up and a lot of people felt it was a slight. Knowing him, that might have been his intention. In any case, that's not a great send off to peers who may, in the future, be excellent networking resources should things at your current job not be all they could be (interestingly enough he hadn't been hired yet several months later when I saw him at our campus job fair). Also, wouldn't you want to do it for your wife and kids who also had to sacrifice for your absence while you pursued your education? It's also an acknowledgement of their support.
Soon to be male graduate nurse. I feel the same as the OP. I do not plan on going to my pinning. The pinning doesn't symbolize anything to me. The main accomplishment is that I finished nursing school. I dont see skipping the pinning as disrespectful at all.
Additionally, I hear that many pinning ceremonies can get really sentimental and emotional and that can get awkward for a guy.
I'm doing my class speech and I've got the guys counting on me to make them cry.
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caliotter3
38,333 Posts
I think I got two letters from my best friend in nursing school after she moved, then I never heard from her again. Over the years have refrained from trying to strike up the friendship again. Just think she must have been too busy. Sad that relationships are not always maintained.