Nursing Pins

JWG223 · Feb 14, 2015

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.

I don't remember if I have a pin or not. I might? Meant nothing to me.

Nibbles1 · Feb 14, 2015

Our pins were two bucks. It's in my curio cabinet. No way would I buy a 500.00 pin. I would skip the ceremony.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Feb 5, 2016

I am having this dilemma too. Yes i want to go to pinning and the ceremony but no way do I want to spend $400+ on a pin!

FloatRN19 · Feb 5, 2016

I bought one. I have no idea where mine is nor why I even bought one to begin with.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Feb 5, 2016

I have the pins from both my ADN & BSN programs. I don't wear them any more. They're in a small plastic case inside a keepsake chest I have. Recently, my 4 year old grandson has become interested in the keepsake chest. We sit down & he looks at everything in it. He calls it my "treasure chest". I think that's accurate because everything in it, including those pins, has some sentimental meaning.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 6, 2016

We only have one option for a pin and its design doesn't appeal to me. If we don't purchase a pin we just get a ribbon. I guess I'd feel more compelled to purchase it if there was an actual meaning behind the pin instead of the college just handing it out because we're graduating.

Well originally it was a capping and pinning graduation ceremony. Both signified one had completed and graduated from nursing school. One wore both then just the one (after caps got ditched) to signify one was a trained professional nurse. Think of it as sort of a medal....

Due to various political correct pressures first caps now pins are not being "forced" upon graduate nurses. Whereas in the past those attending graduation almost always had no choice today in order to accommodate various "feelings", to avoid lawsuits and just to keep the peace places are just saying "fine", if you don't want one you don't have to bother.

Omitting capping was the start of a slow road downhill... Pins soon followed and even the wearing of starched whites went in favor of traditional college graduation "caps and gowns".