BRISTOL, Tenn., Dec. 10, 2021 — King University’s School of Nursing honored graduates at a pinning ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Tennessee. The ceremony recognized graduates from the Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters.
“The custom of pinning for trained nurses originated with Florence Nightingale in the 19th century, and holding this special ceremony before commencement each semester has evolved into a tradition at King,” said Teresa M. Stephens, Ph.D., interim dean and professor of nursing at King’s School of Nursing. “Each graduating student is presented with a pin that is unique to King, which includes the university logo and a Celtic cross with white wings to represent power, bravery, and God’s endless love.
“We’ve experienced a critical shortage of nurses during the pandemic, while also seeing nurses step to the forefront of the battle against COVID, often at a great sacrifice to themselves,” Stephens said. “We can’t emphasize enough the importance of a nurse’s role and responsibilities in this era. We are very proud of our students and their dedication to their calling, and know they are well-prepared to deliver a high level of care to patients in a time of great need.”
King University’s School of Nursing offers four academic programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses (RN-BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
One hundred and thirteen nursing students are among the more than 360 graduates to be honored Saturday, Dec. 11, during King University’s winter commencement ceremony.
The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The School’s programs are fully approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, and the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
For more information about King University’s nursing program, visit www.king.edu/academics/schools-and-institutes/school-of-nursing/. For more information about King University, visit www.king.edu.