CSM Celebrates New Nursing Graduates with Special Pinning Ceremony in La Plata

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The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) recently hosted a pinning ceremony at its La Plata Campus for the Spring 2024 cohort of nursing graduates. The event celebrated the transition of 59 students into professional nursing roles. Faculty members welcomed these new graduates as colleagues in the nursing profession.

The graduating class chose the theme 'Leave the World a Better Place than You Found It.' During her opening remarks, Professor Robin Madera spoke about the responsibilities of being a nurse. She encouraged the graduates to practice empathy and integrity throughout their careers.

The ceremony coincided with National Nurses Week, enhancing the celebration. Professor Linda Goodman, the mistress of ceremonies, acknowledged the hard work required to complete nursing school. She also recognized retiring professors Annette Ragland and Deborah Rutledge for their contributions to the college.

Professor Lauren Guy provided a historical perspective on the pinning ceremony, tracing it back to the 1860s when Florence Nightingale received the Red Cross of St. George. This tradition symbolizes the transfer of excellence in nursing from one generation to the next. Each graduate received a pin, marking their readiness to excel in the nursing field.

Keynote speaker Adwoa Amponsah-Poku, a family medicine nurse practitioner, shared insights from her career. She highlighted the importance of kindness, compassion, and advocacy in nursing. She reminded the graduates of their fundamental motivations for entering the profession and the importance of self-care.