Celebrating Our Future Nurses: Ocean County College Hosts Pinning Ceremony for Graduates

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On May 21, 2024, Ocean County College's School of Nursing held its annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony on the Gateway Building Lawn in Toms River, NJ. This event celebrated the graduates who completed their Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024. The ceremony marks the transition from students to professional nurses.

Tracy Walsh, the Dean of the School of Nursing, spoke to the graduates about the significance of the pinning ceremony. She traced the tradition back to the 1860s, initiated by Florence Nightingale's recognition with a medal, which has evolved into today's pinning practice. Dean Walsh urged the graduates to wear their pins as a badge of honor and a testament to their hard work.

During the event, the graduates recited the School of Nursing dedication pledge and held candles, echoing Florence Nightingale's practice of carrying a lamp during her rounds. Dean Walsh described the candle's flame as a symbol of the knowledge and wisdom the graduates have acquired, with its lighting signifying the transfer of this knowledge from the faculty.

OCC President Pamela Monaco, Ph.D., also addressed the ceremony, congratulating the graduates and expressing pride in their accomplishments. She wished them success and fulfillment in their future nursing careers, emphasizing the positive impact they will have on others.