Dean Barbara Wolfe and members of the College of Nursing faculty and staff welcomed dozens of new students to the nursing ranks during a White Coat Ceremony in Edwards Auditorium Tuesday.

The day before classes begin for the Fall semester, students walked across the stage to receive their white lab coats before reciting the Student Nurse Oath to uphold the ethics and principles of the nursing profession. Previously, the students received greetings from the dean, Associate Dean Mary Leveillee, RISNA Executive Director Donna Policastron, and Professor Joan Dugas.

The Student Nurse Oath reads:

“As a nurse dedicated to providing the highest quality care and service, I solemnly pledge that I will:

• Consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns;
• Act in a compassionate and trustworthy manner in all aspects of my care;
• Apply my knowledge, experience and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients;
• Exercise sound professional judgment while abiding by legal and ethical requirements;
• Accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence;
• Promote, advocate for and strive to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient.
• With this pledge, I accept the duties and responsibilities that embody the nursing profession. I take this oath voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”

Check out a gallery of students from the ceremony below: