Nursing Pins

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I'm at that time in the program where I have to think about graduation. And with that, comes pinning. I've heard from one of my instructors that she still has her pin since its a symbol for her. I've been debating if I should purchase a pin or not. I just think that I'll be happy I have it but in the end, it will probably end up sitting in a jewelry box.

I was just wondering about anyone here that did get a pin and what meaning it might hold.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I graduated nearly forty years ago. I had a gold pin and I wore it for years. Sadly, it was stolen in a home invasion a few years ago. (Along with everything ELSE in my jewelry box.)

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I graduated nearly forty years ago. I had a gold pin and I wore it for years. Sadly, it was stolen in a home invasion a few years ago. (Along with everything ELSE in my jewelry box.)

I'm really sorry.

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Specializes in kids.

It seems like every spring this topic pops up and is forum of considerable debate. Where I went to school, small Catholic BSN program, pinning was a HUGE deal! I graduated in 1983 and I wear my pin every day (unless it is on something that is in the laundry and I cannot remember which top it is on!!!).

To me it is a symbol of my hard work and a symbol of the program that I am proud to have graduated from.

I always wear it to a conference in hopes of running into another alumnus of my program.

Not everyone agrees, but I don't really care what anyone else thinks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I graduated nearly forty years ago. I had a gold pin and I wore it for years. Sadly, it was stolen in a home invasion a few years ago. (Along with everything ELSE in my jewelry box.)

I'm so sorry....((HUGS))

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I used to wear my school pin (gold) on my ID/Name badge. Then added 5 yr., 10 yr, and 20 year pins (from my agency.) Well, then I found a pin at a flea market that looked like real school pin, silver and blue, but if you look closely you can see it says "College of Hard Knocks" and a hand/fore-arm wielding a big hammer and pieces of rock flying off a boulder.....so I added that to all the others. And once, in 1999 I actually got an "Employee of the Month" pin. Do you know how HEAVY your name badge can get with all those pins? Besides, it kind of made me look like a braggart. :laugh:

I never was happy with my school pin, as the name of the hospital and school was changed halfway to graduation, so we were the first class to have the new name on our pins, not the last class with the previous name. I liked the previous name better.

Anyway, now I only wear the College of Hard Knocks pin on my ID badge, 'cause it is one I have really​ earned!!!!

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Specializes in Primary Care.

I bought a very cheap one (it was under $10) so I would have something for my chosen person to physically pin to me during the ceremony. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you where it is anymore, and I only graduated December 2012. I wouldn't have bought one if I knew I wouldn't look silly having nothing for my fiancee to pin me with during the ceremony. If you feel like you need something tangible to honor your graduation, go for it, but most nurses I work with don't wear their pin after graduation. I was also a second-degree nurse, so this wasn't my first college graduation, making it slightly less meaningful for me. It also won't be my last, and I'll probably make a bigger fuss out of graduating with my master's. It depends on what your goals, values and sentiments lean towards. Don't feel like you'll be left out of some sort of professional club just because you don't get one, or buy a really inexpensive one. Honestly, I'd recommend not wasting huge amounts of money to buy an "extra special" one.

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Specializes in psychiatric.

I bought a cheap one for my ADN program, I attended pinning and it was one of the most memorable events of my life. I wear it on my badge because it is meaningful to me and a symbol of strength over adversity. I don't wear my BSN pin, but I do have it anyway. I have my mom's 14kt gold pin from her nursing school, it's absolutely beautiful. Sentimental? you bet!!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Gosh, now that you mention it, I'll have to ask my sister if she has any clue where my Mom's nursing school pin is! She graduated Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in 1930-something.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I never had one for my LPN and regret not doing so. I did buy one for my ADN and for my BSN. However, my favorite nursing pin is one a friend gave me for my BSN graduation. It's vintage and beautiful. I often wonder who it belonged too and her nursing history.

I wear both my BSN school pin and the vintage pin on my lanyard. I worked hard for that degree and I'm proud of it.

I say go for it. The worst it will do is sit in a jewelry box. Who knows. One day you may want to pass it on.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

It would be wonderful for a Mom to pin her daughter or son w/her own school pin. Or grandmother's pin.

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Specializes in Ortho, CMSRN.

I love mine :) I didn't go to my graduation, even though my BSN was/is my first degree. but I went to my pinning. My mom went to nursing school when I was a teenager, so 10 years later, I knew what I wanted from pinning/grad from what she had. I was so impressed with Mom's pinning ceremony that I wanted to do the same. Oh... she pinned me with my husband and daughter beside her :). I skipped the graduation ceremony. It's nice to have a bachelors, but I wanted to be a nurse, so the pinning held more symbolism for me, and honestly, I couldn't afford to do both at the time. I wear my pin on my RN tag on my work badge. I would be crushed if I lost it, but to me, it's honestly the most important piece of jewelry that I have. I lost the original wedding ring that my husband bought me a long time ago unfortunately, and I've bought my own replacement, while that means a lot, I could find another ring that I like just as easily. The pin means a lot to me personally. I kind of wish I would have bought the nicer one instead of the cheapest, if I could have afforded it. To each their own, but... I would encourage you to do your pinning ceremony and buy the pin.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

We don't have a choice but our club covers the cost along with the ceremony that goes along with it. After being involved in the club and seeing the agonizing that goes along with fundraising for the pins, I thought that was fairly repugnant and I kind of just rolled my eyes at the whole prospect. But, I had to go help with a ceremony and it really is a nice thing to have. There is a fantastic history that goes along with it and getting our send off from our instructors who were there before us is nifty after all is said and done. I kind of wish we had to cover the cost of ours, though, and focus more on community outreach but that's just me...lol. Anyway, YES, get your pin! It's important whether you feel it yet or not -- cuz you will feel it one day.

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