Need Ideas for Guest Speaker at Graduation

futurecnm · May 8, 2008

My graduation is June 26th, so I now I'm wondering who we should ask to be our guest speaker at the ceremony. I'm trying to think of someone who's respected; well known, and won't bore our families to tears...
I would appreciate any suggestions.
TIA

We voted on a class member to speak (they were nominated and only put on the ballot if they agreed they would speak) and we also nominate an instructor. We are also having someone from the first ever graduating class at our school say a few words.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · May 8, 2008

If your school allows anyone as a guest speaker (ours only allows a nurse and one that doesn't currently teach at the school) you could have one of the teachers/clinical instructors that the class as a whole likes, respects and who you admire. I would love to have a few of the teachers I had as a guest speaker but since they still work at the school they won't allow it.

If your school wants someone from the community (not affiliated with the school) how about a nurse that was at your clinical site(s) that was always willing to teach a student, one who always seemed to take the time to show you things and who didn't act as if students were a big pain in her/his hind quarters.

Another possibility is a past student who graduated from your school.

A well known person known to the audience might be hard, you as nursing students might know the person but the people in the audience might not have ever heard of them. Don't forget, graduation is about YOU and your fellow classmates, not about entertaining the audience. You want a guest speaker who will be an inspiration to you and your classmates, regardless of whether or not the audience might be a bit bored. Honestly, most graduations I've attended I was a bit bored with the guest speaker but that was because that person really didn't mean anything to me personally but what matters is that the person meant something to the graduating class.

Best wishes in your nursing career. I graduate June 6th!! 28 days to go.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 8, 2008

We are also having someone from the first ever graduating class at our school say a few words.

That's an idea! If there are any alumni of your school who are well-known in the community, those would be good ones I think. At 1 1/2 months out, most people who do regular public speaking engagements will likely be booked up.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · May 9, 2008

I'm not sure who we're getting for ours.....

I suggested one of our local CNOs, one of our adjuct faculty who only does clinical sites, the president of our state nursing association, etc.....our class president actually got in touch with OPRAH and Dennis Quaid! (ok, so we all knew it was a long shot, but still.) good luck on finding someone for yours!