ECU College of Nursing welcomes 142 students into BSN, ABSN programs
The ECU College of Nursing officially welcomed 142 future nurses in the spring semester with a modified ceremony to safely celebrate their admission to the College of Nursing and introduction to the nursing profession.
Students received a golden lamp pin signifying service and light as part of the twice-annual Lamp of Learning ceremony that serves an official welcome to the college’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The celebration included 122 traditional BSN students as well as 20 students in the accelerated second-degree BSN (ABSN) program.
The golden lamp pin that students receive as part of the twice-annual Lamp of Learning ceremony signifies service and light. The symbol also appears on the College of Nursing pin that students are eligible to receive as they graduate. (Photo by Jeremy Smith)
The lamp symbol, representing the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, also appears on the pin that students receive upon graduating. During the virtual ceremony, Dr. Sylvia Brown, dean of the College of Nursing, discussed the symbols on that pin that represent holistic care, scholarly work and evidence-based practice, service, light and a vibrant life.
That pin, designed by the first class from the ECU School of Nursing in 1960, was based on a modified shield of trust. Brown also emphasized the importance of trustworthiness as a future nurse.
“We know that nursing is really based on trust,” said Brown, reminding students that a Gallup poll has ranked nursing as the most honest and ethical profession for 18 years in a row. “That’s one of the ideals and values that we hold dearly in our profession, and we want you to hold that dearly as well.”
During the virtual ceremony, Brown led the recitation of the college’s pledge, which includes promises to respect patient confidentiality, to collaborate with other health professionals, to participate in the advancement of the profession and to advocate for patients.
Admission to the College of Nursing’s BSN program is very competitive. In addition to meeting the university and college requirements, students’ scores on a required national pre-admission exam are taken into account along with their GPA, enrollment status and other factors. Students accepted into the program this spring had an average GPA of 3.65.