Nursing students welcomed into profession with Lamp of Learning Ceremony

The East Carolina University College of Nursing’s Class of 2024 were formally welcomed as initiates into the nursing profession during a ceremony Sept. 8 where they were presented with Lamp of Learning pins.

Dr. Bimbola Akintade, dean of the College of Nursing, spoke about the significance of the Lamp of Learning pin as an outward signal of the commitment that the new nursing students were making — to themselves, their future patients and the nursing profession.

East Carolina University nursing students pin their peers with Lamp of Learning pins during a ceremony Sept. 8. (Photos by Conley Evans/College of Nursing)

“I remember welcoming you during our College of Nursing orientation just a couple of weeks ago. Our Lamp of Learning ceremony today is another way of welcoming you to your beginning stages of learning about the nursing profession,” Akintade said.

The Lamp of Learning pin, presented to all ECU nursing students at the beginning of their nursing education, is one of two physical symbols of being a nurse trained at ECU. Students are encouraged to wear the pin on their uniforms during their time in the College of Nursing.

The other, a school-specific nursing pin, is presented by most nursing schools and represents the institution’s ethos.

ECU’s nursing pin, a symbol of membership in the Pirate nurse family that students will receive upon graduation, was designed by the university’s inaugural nursing class in 1960 and incorporates iconography relevant to the profession and the school: a globe to signify service to all; a book, quill and inkpot to represent knowledge and learning; the caduceus with nursing’s ‘N’; and a representation of Florence Nightingale’s lamp, which she used at night to care for soldiers of the Crimean War and serves as the model for the Lamp of Learning pin.

“Take pride in your profession. Take pride in the College of Nursing. Wear your Lamp of Learning pin and look forward to your ECU College of Nursing pin and what it stands for,” Akintade said.

He stressed to the new nursing students that the College of Nursing is a resource for learning, but also a community of peers and teachers who were committed to the care of each person and their academic success.

Class of 2024 College of Nursing students listen to a speaker during the Lamp of Learning ceremony.

“We have every faith in you and your success, not only in the program, but moving forward in your every endeavor as a registered nurse when you graduate,” Akintade said. “Don’t suffer in silence – let us know how we can support you through the program. That’s what we are here for. Most importantly, we do believe in you.”

Marcus Shawky, a native of Greenville, studied sports science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was an EMT for a few years, but wanted more patient contact, which drew him to nursing and back home to Greenville to further his education.

“I always heard that nursing was a good field for progression and more education,” Shawky said. “The pin symbolizes that we are all part of the program and we’re learning as student nurses, hopefully to graduate and work in the profession.”

Rebecca Michaud, from Raleigh, has always wanted to be a nurse, after undergoing surgery when she was a young child. Being presented the Lamp of Learning pin is a reality check, Michaud said.

“Getting the pin, the thing that I see every nursing student wearing, symbolizes that I really am in this. It’s very exciting,” she said.

Grace Lake, of Chapel Hill, spent time in the pediatric ICU as a young girl, which was a traumatizing experience — one that she hopes to help minimize for children under her care as a registered nurse.

“I want to be able to help other kids have a much better experience in the hospital,” Lake said.

ECU’s College of Nursing produces the most baccalaureate nursing graduates of any higher education institution in North Carolina, and new graduates consistently pass the national registered nurse licensure examinations at a 98% first time pass rate. The college is consistently designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing.