pinning ceremony question

suzy253, RN · Aug 1, 2004

I haven't been pinned yet but attended the senior class graduation/pinning ceremony a few months back.

They had members of their family who were in the audience come up when the student's name was called and pin them. It was like mothers, fathers, husbands...whatever and then they stood and had their picture taken. It was so moving...everyone was crying!

RN50, ASN, BSN · Aug 1, 2004

I had a faculty member pin me. Our Pinning Ceremony Committee decided that we would have a faculty member who meant something to us pin us. We sent out a survey to our fellow classmates asking who their choice would be and then we picked 5 of the top choices. It wasn't exactly the way I would have done it, (only picking the top 5, I mean what is the point of asking people who they want to pin them if not everyone will get their choice?) But then it seemed like one person sort of ran the show and didn't always take the others input into consideration. The idea of pinning is to have another nurse pin you, that is what the pinning ceremony is, a way of welcoming you into the nursing profession.

hllybenn · Aug 2, 2004

I had a faculty member pin me (had her for clinical and lecture). I felt like it is a nursing tradition so my husband or mother did not mind not being the person to do it.

That faculty member really pulled me through at times so I felt she could welcome me to the profession like no one else!

Best of Luck

J Lynn · Aug 2, 2004

One of my instructors pinned all of us. But I think it's a great idea to have someone who supported you through out the program.....unless you feel somewhat obligated to ask someone who DIDN'T support you. :rolleyes:

Sarah8714 · Aug 2, 2004

During my pinning ceremony in May, we walked acrossed the stage and was given a rose by the Director of the program while our photo was displayed. Once the ceremony was over, you went to whomever "you chose" and had your pin placed. I had an instructor that meant the most to me and was able to get photos of that done which was nice. I really wanted my Aunt to pin me who had just retired from teaching Nursing at the University of Iowa but she passed away earlier that week. I was given her nursing school pin from 1956 and my Mom pinned it on my whites. It was a very moving experience for me.. :sniff:

cherrock · Aug 2, 2004

thank you all for the ideas and information!

Trauma Columnist · Aug 2, 2004

Wow - what great ideas!

elkpark · Aug 2, 2004

I know that my position on this is unpopular, but I don't really mind that. The origin of the pinning ceremony is that the school was putting its final "stamp of approval" on you before sending you out into the world as a nurse representing its program. At my school, the director of the program pinned all of us (that was the universal practice for a long time). There was no other option, and I wouldn't have "chosen" anyone else anyway.

When I went back to school a few years after that and, later, was a faculty member in a nursing program, the newer trend that the students were pushing was for each student to choose which family member or friend (or, occasionally, GASP!, a faculty member) they wanted to pin them. IMHO, this defeats the entire symbolism of the ceremony. Students tell me that they feel this is appropriate because the family members have been v. supportive of the students and put up with a lot while they were in school. I know that they have been and that's great, but it has nothing to do with the school officially saying that you are ready to go out there and nurse, and it is proud (or, at least, willing :chuckle ) to put its name on you ... The school is awarding the pin -- I don't see why students would get any say in who does the pinning.

Maybe we don't need to be in such a hurry to dump every tradition in nursing ... :)

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2004

I know that my position on this is unpopular...

Not sure 'bout that.

Liked your post and point-of-view. Thanks!

andre · Aug 2, 2004

I know that my position on this is unpopular, but I don't really mind that. The origin of the pinning ceremony is that the school was putting its final "stamp of approval" on you before sending you out into the world as a nurse representing its program. At my school, the director of the program pinned all of us (that was the universal practice for a long time). There was no other option, and I wouldn't have "chosen" anyone else anyway.
When I went back to school a few years after that and, later, was a faculty member in a nursing program, the newer trend that the students were pushing was for each student to choose which family member or friend (or, occasionally, GASP!, a faculty member) they wanted to pin them. IMHO, this defeats the entire symbolism of the ceremony. Students tell me that they feel this is appropriate because the family members have been v. supportive of the students and put up with a lot while they were in school. I know that they have been and that's great, but it has nothing to do with the school officially saying that you are ready to go out there and nurse, and it is proud (or, at least, willing :chuckle ) to put its name on you ... The school is awarding the pin -- I don't see why students would get any say in who does the pinning.
Maybe we don't need to be in such a hurry to dump every tradition in nursing ... :)

I think your post is very valid IF the pinning ceremony is a school- sponsored and sanctioned event. At my community college, we can choose to have a pinning ceremony, but the students must organize and pay for it--faculty is *invited*, but it is a totally separate event from the official school graduation....in this case, although I think it's a nice thing to have a faculty member pin you, it would seem a bit odd to require it....

Personally, I'm with you....when my sister graduated as an RN 20 years ago, pinning--like capping--was a school ceremony. Faculty did the pinning. I don't know why so many schools are no longer having an "official" pinning ceremony. Especially since most of the RN grads I know would prefer to skip the college graduation in favor of the pinning ceremony anyway....

elkpark · Aug 2, 2004

I think your post is very valid IF the pinning ceremony is a school- sponsored and sanctioned event. At my community college, we can choose to have a pinning ceremony, but the students must organize and pay for it--faculty is *invited*, but it is a totally separate event from the official school graduation....in this case, although I think it's a nice thing to have a faculty member pin you, it would seem a bit odd to require it....

Well, I must admit that you bring up a point that never occurred to me (pinning ceremonies not put on by the school). What is the point of having an "unofficial" (student-organized and -run) pinning ceremony? Nursing is getting 'way too bizarre for me ... :)