Erlanger Honors Graduating Nurses During National Nurses Week
Friday, May 8, 2020
In response to the cancelation of graduation ceremonies at many nursing schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Erlanger Health System honored its graduating nurses by recreating one of the most important ceremonies in their educational careers – a pinning ceremony.
Area nursing schools were forced to cancel or postpone their official pinning ceremonies for graduating nurses due to the pandemic. Erlanger was determined to make sure these 70 nursing graduates were honored for their hard work and dedication by holding its own pinning ceremony, while observing social distancing practices.
To kick-off National Nurses Week, on Tuesday these men and women, who have worked not only throughout the pandemic but also while attending school, walked into the auditorium at Erlanger Baroness Hospital to receive their pins and participate in a candle lighting ceremony.
Even while practicing social distancing and wearing masks, the camaraderie was felt by all. Dr. Jan Keys, chief nursing executive; Dr. Bill Crowe, director of nursing development; Ted Nelson, associate chief nursing officer; Angela Basham-Sahif, associate chief nursing officer; and Traci Josephsen, senior director and associate chief nursing officer of women’s and children’s presided over the ceremony, which was viewed by hundreds via teleconferencing. Staff in the units and on the floors, along with family and friends from all over the region, watched as the graduates were pinned and honored by Erlanger.
Graduates who were unable to attend the ceremony will be pinned in their unit by Dr. Keys. The pins are not their school pins, but are the Erlanger “clower,” a symbol of commitment to compassionate care.
National Nurses Week is May 6 through 12, ending on Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Ms. Nightingale is regarded as the founder of nursing.