Graduate Nursing Students Participate in Transition to Practice Ceremony During National Nurse Practitioner Week

In an event similar to Midwestern University’s White Coat Ceremony, the Graduate Nursing Program hosted a Transition to Practice Ceremony on November 13, at the end of the students’ three day intensive. This event marks students’ transition from didactic coursework to clinical rotations, which are started immediately after the ceremony.

Misty Pagan D.N.P., APRN, AGNP-C, Program Director, Graduate Nursing, welcomed all the students and their families and gave the introduction. Stephanie Herrick Kays, Ed.D., APRN, FNP-C, Assistant Professor, provided the opening reflection. Together, Dr. Pagan and Dr. Herrick Kays presented the students with their white coats, a symbol of the beginning of their journey in clinical rotations. Kimberly Thompson, M.S.N., FNP-C, Director of Clinical Education, led the students in the oath of commitment, and several students addressed the cohort. Lastly, Dr. Pagan provided the closing message. Students and their families were released to mingle with faculty and their peers.

While the Transition to Practice Ceremony is always a special event, the 2022 ceremony was especially so, as it was held on the first day of National Nurse Practitioner Week. The annual recognition week is designed to honor this incredibly important part of our healthcare team, as well as raise awareness about the important role they play in keeping our communities healthy.

“It is a turning point for us – a rite of passage. Yes, we have been nurses, which as a profession has its own code. But now as providers, we have a completely different responsibility, and it’s important to recognize that honor. Having our Transition to Practice Ceremony was very significant for us now and for our future as nurse practitioners.” Said Alicia Lacovara (M.S.N. AGP ’23).