Induction ceremony recognizes nursing students

In Omaha, Colleen McDonald, left, and Melissa Moore pledge to uphold the values of a professional nurse. Photo by Dan Brick.

Emily Hays, center, a first level student, Kearney Division, shows off her nursing patch, with her sister, Beth, left, a second level nursing student from the Lincoln Division, and her mother, Rita, right, who completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UNMC. Photo by Diane Feldman.

Students at the UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division prepare to recite an oath. Photo by Kate Steinbach.

In Lincoln, division nursing student Neil Root, center, with Loy Root, left, and Alice Root. Photo by Agnes Natale.

The UNMC College of Nursing held induction ceremonies across the state Oct. 10 to recognize 131 new nursing students as they committed to academic integrity and begin assimilating the values and behaviors of the professional nurse.

The ceremony also reiterated some the most important values for the professional nurse and for the profession of nursing: responsibility, trustworthiness, honesty, fairness, and respect of others.

Ceremonies were held simultaneously in Omaha, Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Lincoln.

During the ceremony, students recited an oath of professionalism and signed a pledge. They also received the college’s badge to be affixed to their uniforms.

Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, said the formal ceremony is important to hallmarking the students’ entry into the profession of nursing and their assimilation of the values and behaviors of a professional nurse.