Private Pinning Ceremony

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi y'all, my main question is did anyone have a non-school affiliated pinning ceremony or know of someone who has attended one? If so, what was it like? My class really needs ideas!

We are graduating in December, but because of the lack of support from school officials, they have quit giving December graduations. Instead, anyone who graduates in the fall must wait until the following May and be pinned/go through graduation. I happen to think it's ridiculous. Many of my fellow students are moving away, including myself, and will not be able to attend a May ceremony. So we have decided to have a private ceremony and I would really appreciate some suggestions on how it could be ran. We know we are having our family pinning us but that's about all we know!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

:laugh:

Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I've volunteered at all of the pinning ceremonies through our SNA chapter. Our school only has commencement in May, so the December cohort's pinning ceremony includes cap & gown. They play Pomp & Circumstance over the loud speaker. A few of the nursing instructors say some kind words and then they have a slide show. All students are asked to submit pics taken throughout the course of the program. They usually have someone set it to music. It brings tears to your eyes for sure!

As each graduate comes forward, they have a family member pin the graduate. It is so touching to watch :)

Afterwards, there's a catered luncheon. A very nice afternoon!

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

(And, just out of curiosity, what is a "comet ion of a journey"?)

That would be my phone thinking it funny to make me look like an idiot in combination with my laziness to proofread lol. Its supposed to say "completion of a journey."

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I remember my daughter was involved with the planning of her nursing school ceremony. One thing that they did was have the invitations done by someone who was really good at calligraphy. I don't think they hand made all of the invitations, programs, etc., I think they just designed something and took it to a printer. And there were a lot of flowers. I was unable to attend, just trying to remember. I could see renting a hall at a fine restaurant and having a nice dinner associated with the ceremony since there are not going to be that many people attending. You could make some kind of arrangement with the establishment about the fare to be offered. No faculty allowed?

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

The pinning ceremony to graduate nurses as what the donning of the white coat is to med students. To say that either is meaningless is perhaps the opinion of someone who has been a nurse for years and years, but means a great deal to those who have finally reached that milestone.

See if one of your favorite instructors can come to a gathering of classmates and friends/family and do the pinning.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

At my pinning ceremony you were pinned by a licensed nurse (ours was combined with graduation as nursing graduated 6weeks after the others) it could be a friend or family member that was an active or retired RN or LPN or you could be pinned by an instructor. I had the honor of being pinned by my favorite instructor I was closest to.

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The pinning ceremony to graduate nurses as what the donning of the white coat is to med students. To say that either is meaningless is perhaps the opinion of someone who has been a nurse for years and years, but means a great deal to those who have finally reached that milestone.

(Please note I'm not saying pinning ceremonies in general are "meaningless" -- just the do-it-yourself variety.)

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