What's so great about a pinning ceremony?

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

We wore our white dresses, white stockings, and white caps. (Yes, way back when.) We carried red roses, and said the pledge. It was ok. But when we got our wide black RN stripes (they went around the white cap) they sent the flyers out with a mis-spelling that said "stripping" ceremony.

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

Twenty years later and I can't find my pin. A box was lost/stolen by the moving company in my last move and my pin, along with the special pin my best friend in college gave me, and mementos/medals/memorabilia from my bicycle racing days were in that box.

I chose the pinning ceremony over the general, college graduation ceremony...only my classmates and I really appreciated what the hell each of us had just overcome to get to the finish line.

I have wonderful memories of mom and dad being there.

Epic_RN · Mar 20, 2012

Our pinning ceremony was very special. We had our college's drumline perform as their final for our entrance, motivational and inspirational speakers, and a photo collage. I chose pinning over graduation because this was the culmination of the hell I'd been through. My kids and boyfriend were on stage and my older daughter pinned me -- we both cried. The people you've struggled with to achieve your goal of being a nurse, your fellow classmates, will be sitting beside you. If you're not interested in it personally, then go to support them. The speakers will inspire you as a nurse, or at least the ones at mine did. We also honored those of our instructors, friends and family who supported us throughout our nursing program by giving single white roses to those of our choosing. I say, just go. Be there for your fellow graduates if you won't do it for yourself.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

words can't express the meaning or the feeling one feels deep down inside during the ceremony. i gave my pin to my dear mother and she cried like a baby, which made me emotional as well...it's knowing that you have accomplish one of your goals and began another as a nurse.

onepowerfullady, LPN · Mar 26, 2012

I finished back in December and your pinning is a time to celebrate your accomplishments. It's a awards ceremony and a celebration of the transition from student to professional nursing. My family and friends were there and my children got a got a chance to see the results of my hard work. Don't pass this up. I chose this over my graduation.... I'm so glad I did!

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2012

Pinning is more personal, because it's just the nursing school. I will be attending the pinning ceremony as opposed to the commencement for this reason. Commencement will be a circus, with thousands of students from all the colleges. I am also go to attend the pinning ceremony because I want my mom to pin me; she's seen me go through all this to be a nurse, and had to put up with a lot. We've also seen a lot of changes in the years since I began this journey, but we have both been there for each other.

kids · Mar 26, 2012

The pinning ceremony is your graduation from nursing school.

I did pinning and skipped the general graduation, nursing school was my accomplishment, being herded across a stage with 1000 other college grads didn't mean diddly to me (or my famly).

On the otherhand, I didn't go to my BSN graduation, I'd done an online program (at a local brick & mortar school) and didn't feel any sense of unity with my "classmates" and wasn't into the whole herd thing.

Maybe I'll show up when I finish my MSN.

Music in My Heart · Mar 26, 2012

I'm not one for pomp and circumstance, but I must go along to apease the family. They want to watch me walk.
I haven't mentioned to them the pinning ceremony, as I had no intention of making everyone spend more time in the audience watching me. Many nurses and classmates are appaled that I'd not go to pinning, or that I'd choose commencment over pinning. Then, I got to thinking, I don't really know what pinning is about or what it involves.
What is so great about the pinning ceremony? What happens?
About all I've heard is that there are candels, someone of your choice pins a pin on you, and you wear your graduation robes.

Personally, I think the whole pinning thing is nonsense. That said, I did attend mine... but only because the faculty was pretty insistent and I figured I was using them for references so...

Ours was outdoors, during the day so no candles (thankfully). We wore business casual attire and yes, we were pinned by the person of our choice... some chose a family member, some chose a preceptor, some chose an instructor, and one even chose a classmate.

Skwrl · Mar 26, 2012

I'm skipping graduation and only doing the pinning ceremony. As far as I'm concerned the college part is secondary to the fact that I'm graduating nursing school. Also, at my school the commencement ceremony involves nearly 1500 students, which makes it a 6 hour long experience. At our pinning I'll be celebrating the end of a really life changing experience with the 53 other graduate nurses that have been through all of it with me. It's a chance to honor your journey and honor your former classmates, professors, and families.

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2012

I skipped my pinning ceremony. I have only my immediate family near, and they were all busy working. (No, taking time off was not an option.) I have no regrets of not going.

Katie71275 · Mar 27, 2012

Don't miss the pinning! We are required to go to I think 2 other students pinnings during our nursing student career and I love them! We are required to help as well, for example last quarter, we handed out the programs, this time we will decorate the stage. It's an emotional, very sweet thing to be a part of!

FLboundBSN · Mar 27, 2012

I skipped my pinning ceremony. I have no regrets of not going.

You may not have regrets cuz you dont know what you missed. I would have gone for my own sake to be there with my instructors and fellow students, but that's just me.

Just thinking about the pinning brings tears to my eyes. I have a long way to go (I start in the fall) and pray that I make it to pinning and graduation.