Class of 2027 urged to ‘be the voice for patients’ as they begin their careers

Dean Danny Willis and the faculty of the URI College of Nursing welcomed the Class of 2027 into the nursing profession during the semi-annual White Coat Ceremony Tuesday morning in Edwards Auditorium.

URI President Marc Parlange, Provost Barbara Wolfe, Associate Dean Melissa Sutherland, and Clinical Associate Professor Jung Eun Lee offered greetings before guest speaker Angie Wright, chief nursing executive at Brown University Health, offered advice to the students, who represent the next generation of health care. While technology and medical innovations continue to evolve and need to be embraced, it’s important for nurses to remain focused on the personal touch, she said.

“All of these innovations undoubtedly enhance our ability, but never forget the power of a kind word, a gentle touch, a compassionate gesture,” Wright said. “Be the voice for those who can not speak for themselves, and be the unwavering advocate for patients’ rights and dignity. Never underestimate the power of empathy. Never lose sight of the human that stands before you. Take a moment to listen, to understand and connect on a personal level. Your genuine compassion will transcend the bounds of medicine and touch lives in ways you can’t even imagine, including your own.”

The students then crossed the stage to receive their white lab coats, before reciting a pledge to uphold the ethics and principles of the nursing profession, which 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.”

The URI College of Nursing undergraduate program is ranked among the nation’s best, soaring into the top 8 percent of nursing colleges in the country, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The College’s B.S. in Nursing program is tied at number 54 among 686 ranked colleges in the country. The College has made an impressive rise in the rankings, climbing from number 96 just three years ago.

The advancements the College has made are obvious not only in the undergraduate programs, but in its graduate offerings as well. The master’s degree program, already among the best in the country, has been ranked in the top 50 in the U.S. for the second year in a row. The College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is also recognized among the nation’s best, slotting in at 66. Visit the URI College of Nursing Academics website for more information on all its graduate and undergrad offerings.