Last week, Indiana Wesleyan University held its annual white coat ceremony for all its sophomore nursing majors.
The ceremony inducts the nursing majors into the school of nursing by giving them their official white coat.
“It’s an honor, because I feel like I’m out of taking gen eds and the classes to get me to the nursing school, and I feel official,” said Gracie Sipe, a sophomore nursing major.
While it is a celebration for the nursing majors, there are still more steps they must take before they can go into the profession.
“We have to pass skills tests and med comps. So, being able to administer medications to a patient and pass our clinicals, which are off site, and working in the field work,” said Sipes.
The ceremony leaves a lasting impression on the students as they continue their college life like it did for senior nursing major Mariah Bristol.
“I remember being super excited being accepted into the major with all my friends, and it really is just something special that I’ll remember,” said Bristol.
Many of the students receive great support from their professors and peers as they walk across the stage cheering them on.
“I remember looking into the crowd and seeing my friends cheer as I walked across the stage, I’m really thankful for all the support they have given me to make it to that point and even now as a senior,” said Bristol.
Making it into the white coat ceremony is not easy and takes a lot of work and discipline, but the goal is attainable.
“There were, and still are, a lot of late nights studying, so it can be challenging — but if you apply yourself and push through, you’ll make it,” said Bristol.
Grace Sipes said freshman nursing majors should work hard to ensure their future careers.
“Put your all into it because you’ll be taking care of people one day, and you don’t want to be doing your schooling half-heartedly. You want to know as much as you can know so you can do your job well when you get into your career,” Sipes said.
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