Newswise — Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing held its Dedication to the Profession ceremony and reception last month in the Madonna della Strada Chapel at the Lake Shore Campus.
The annual event replaces the former capping ceremony where students received their white caps and uniforms before they began to work as student nurses. Today, the ceremony allows junior class nursing students to reflect and pledge themselves to the health-care profession.
Loyola faculty presided over the ceremony and blessed the hands of students and health-care professionals in the audience. Alumni and upperclassmen also led a procession and lighted candles to symbolize the passing of the school’s ideals onto the students to continue the work and beliefs of the university.
Loyola faculty member Joanne Dunderdale, MSN, RN, AFACNP-BC, provided the keynote address. Jorgia Connor, PhD, RN, director of the BSN program, served as the emcee of the ceremony, and Lee Schmidt, PhD, RN, offered the welcome remarks. Junior nursing student Shawn O'Neill delivered a reflection.
The students also spoke about symbolic aspects of the ceremony and the health-care profession. They provided reflections about their student experiences and their decision to join the school and health-care communities. Following the ceremony, the school hosted a reception at the Donovan Reading Room to celebrate the occasion with students, families, guests, alumni, faculty and staff. Loyola archivist Kathy Young and the Junior Nursing Student Council displayed the exhibit: “Past, Present and Future of Nursing” showcasing photos, articles and memorabilia from the university.
RSS