Pinning Ceremony Attire

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What are you required to wear to your pinning ceremony? My class will wear graduation gowns (no caps), but previous classes have worn the whole silly get-up. Since my school has a graduation AND a pinning ceremony, I think it's asinine to wear a graduation gown to pinning because, to me, it's NOT a graduation.

But that's just my humble opinion. :lol2:

I'm not a fan of graduations so I won't be attending my pinning ceremony because of the graduation gown requirement.

So in honor of my spring break boredom, here's a quick poll:

1. Are you attending your pinning ceremony?

2. What are you required to wear?

3. Does your school have graduation in addition to pinning?

4. Did you buy your school's pin? If so, how much did it cost?

(My answer to #4: I bought one that I will give to my dad because he collects pins. I hate yellow gold so I bought a silver one, which was $40. It's ugly and feels quite flimsy. Kind of a rip-off, but my dad will like having it in his collection.)

You are right-- it is inappropriate, academically and professionally, to be pinned in a gown and mortarboard, because it is inappropriate to wear a nursing pin with a cap/gown. Pins go on (nursing) uniforms, and that's what should be worn for pinning ceremonies.

When I graduated from a BSN completion program many years ago (after having been an RN already for many years), the "regular" BSN students were so excited about their pins that they wanted to wear them on their gowns for commencement the folllowing day and the faculty had a v. hard time convincing them that this was not appropriate and would not be allowed. The faculty finally ended up posting a faculty member at the base of the steps up to the stage (at the actual commencement ceremony) to check each nursing student as her name was called, and, if she was wearing her pin on her gown, it came off and went in the instructor's pocket (until after the ceremony). :)

BTW (and I'm surprised how many nursing faculty people don't know the "rules" for this sort of thing these days, or, at least, don't care enough any more to do it right), gowns and mortarboards always go together -- wearing "just" gowns without the mortarboards (for your pinning) is the academic equivalent of having all of you show up topless for the ceremony ... :)

IMO, this sort of thing is another example of how nursing sets itself up to be a second-class citizen in academia, by failing to be aware of (or choosing to ignore) the traditions and practices followed by all the other schools and departments in a university. PLUS, we're throwing away all of our own unique traditions and practices as quickly as we can! Seems like a bad idea to me, but I realize I'm in the minority ... :)

WOW!!! you summed that up quite beautifully.......thank you

I wish I was bored. Clinical immersion plus work all spring break yikes!!

1. Yes, worked too hard not to

2. No requirements but I think semi formal

3. Yes

4. Did not buy the pin, too expensive and I tend to lose things like that :o)

I agree about the uniforms!! We were never allowed to wear our scrubs on campus EVER!! If we want to be recognized as professionals we should dress like professionals. We wouldn't wear scrubs to a conference!! Ridiculous. The gown thing is crazy too though. Thanks God graduation is close though....

Specializes in ICU.

I am probably in the minority, but I have no interest in attending pinning ceremony. I have spent way too much money in this program. It would cost me another $100.00 more (at the minimum) to attend the ceremony. It may not seem like alot of money after what I have spent thus far, but it is to me at this particular moment in my life.

Quite honestly, I'd rather direct that money towards something I really wanted for a long time now - a proper vacation!

I have never liked ceremonies and that is my personal preference. Yes, I worked hard throughout the program and I plan to celebrate and rejoice on my own accord. I don't feel like I need a ceremony to recognize the work I have accomplished. Other people are really into ceremonies. More power to them. It's a personal preference.

I didn't attend my HS prom or college graduation. Still no regrets :)

I still have a ways to go, but I'll definetly be going to pinning, graduation, and any other thing they wanna host for us. It's been a lot of work, my parents and grandparents (grandma was also an RN) have been incredibly supportive, and I think it might mean even more to them to see me officially graduate or get pinned(if i have a choice, i would LOVE to have my grandma pin me). I personally love all the traditional stuff. Although this is my first degree, so participating in the ceremonial parts really mean alot to me I guess.

I dont know yet if our school has a separate graduation and pinning, what we'd be required to wear, or how much any of it's going to cost. I am definetly going to get a pin when the time comes, even if I never wear it I'll want to keep it with my class ring (i dont wear that anymore, but would be crushed if i lost it)

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

"1. Are you attending your pinning ceremony?

2. What are you required to wear?

3. Does your school have graduation in addition to pinning?

4. Did you buy your school's pin? If so, how much did it cost?"

1 - You betcha! I worked too hard not to!

2 - All white. Either all white scrubs or dress and white nurse cap (except for the men who aren't required to wear one!)

3 - Yes and I am definitely going. Pinning is held the day before graduation.

4 - My school actually supplies us a pin, the only thing is we have to give it back at the end of the ceremony. That's fine with me, I would rather not spend an extra $40+ on a pin if I don't have to. Students CAN buy their own special pin, but since all the pins are being put on one board and then put on each student, another student might get your special pin since the person pinning the students isn't going to specifically look for yours (no time for that). Another option was you could buy your own pin and just use the one purchased by the school while on stage and then when you're in the reception area you can swap the school one with your own pin and keep that on. :)

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

1. No, I'd rather go to dinner with family.

2. Beats me, don't care.

3. Yes both, only going to graduation (lest parents disown me)

4. About $65

We can wear anything we want, I love dresses and pencil skirts. One day is dedicated to pinning ceremony and the next day is graduation, that's when we are required to wear cap and gown.Our school gives us the pin, we don't pay for it.

Specializes in L&D.

I have a previous BA so have done all the graduation gown so more than likely won't participate in the graduation once I grad from nursing...however we are required to do pinning! We are required to where all white. the ladies wear white dresses(button or zip up front) and the guys, white pants/shirts..These are all standard uniform, not any old white dress! They used to make you wear the cap too!

I am not a white person(meaning I dont like wearing white lol) and am not a dress person, but I attended my first pinning ceremony last quarter and it was amazing, so I don't think Ill have a problem with it either!

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