Pining Ceremony

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i would like some advice on pining ceremonies. my class of 100 senior nursing students must decide whether or not to have a pining ceremony. any information on the significance and meaning behind this cermony would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Neuro, phase 2 recovery.

I don't know the meaning behind the pinning ceremony but it didn't matter when I had mine. It was a really great experience that I will not forget. Unlike a regular graduation, you are there with all of the nursing students who know what you went through to become a nurse.

We had our ceremony at a church. We all wore white and female wore caps. Of course we had some speakers. Then each person was pinned by someone of their choosing. My husband and daughter pinned me. Then we each got a rose from the faculty. Afterward, we passed on a flame to light each other's candle & said the Nightingale Pledge.

I know it doesn't sound awesome but it really was moving. I cried so many times during that ceremony. So many emotions, happiness at your accomplishment, scared because you are finally a nurse (well after you take the NCLEX), sad because this will be the last time your nursing class will be together.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Instead of going to my pinning I went to my sons 3rd grade christmas program then out to pizza hut. It was great. I felt I had sacrificed my family so much during nurisng school if I didnt HAVE to be there, I was not going. I have no regrets.

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I look forward to the day I can attend my pinning ceremony. you work hard for your degree, and the pinning ceremony is a way to recognize that. I would be very sad if my school decided not to have one.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I enjoyed ours, but was so tired that day that I actually fell asleep at the dinner afterwards (with family in a restaurant). Our class wanted the ceremony, but only 3 or 4 of us put the effort in planning and making sure it happened. Exhausting. For that reason I would not recommend it unless all who want to come agrees to help.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i had a pinning ceremony and it really was beautiful. i was class president so i headed the pinning planning committee. we had one of the instructors read the significance of the pin....

from: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120004680/abstract

The nursing pin is a 1,000-year old symbol of service to others. The earliest ancestor of the pin dates back to the Maltese Cross, adopted by crusaders and worn on their habits as a symbol of service to Christianity. Over the centuries, variations of the crusader's symbol were gradually modified and became family coats of arms, often symbolizing service to a ruler. By the Renaissance, guilds had adopted coats of arms symbolizing masterful service to the community. The most recent ancestor of the pin is the hospital badge of 100 years ago. It was given by the hospital school of nursing to the students to identify them as nurses who were educated to serve the health needs of society. This symbol of service involves many professional rights and responsibilities.

i would say do it. i tried to have as much student participation as possible. we had a guest speaker (a prior alumni), a instructor sing, a gratitude to family and friends, a tribute to nursing instructors, a scholarship presentation, a slide show, a lamplighting, pinning, florence nightengale pledge, a valedictorian's speech (which i got to do--yay!) and we all let go of balloons at the end.

if you need help or advice let me know, i would be happy to help you! it is a day i won't ever forget and i am so glad we did it!

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