I am an officially graduated from my nursing program.  I got pinned on Wednesday night.    It was great!

We all gathered in the Cafeteria of the High school where we had our ceremony at 5:30pm so we could line up and write our names on index cards (phonetically) so we could be announced one by one as we walked across the stage to one of two faculty members to pin us.

The ceremony started our procession into the auditorium from both doors down to the center seats.  AVS was in the first two rows (I was in the front row).  So we got a great view of the ceremony proceedings.  I became overwhelmed with emotion as they played “Pomp and Circumstance” as we entered the auditorium.  For many different reasons, I suppose.  An era of my life was now over, I may not see many of my classmates again, and I can’t believe I made it to the end and was successful.  It was an amazing feeling.

Our ceremony began with welcoming remarks from the Dean. Then the Student representative from the traditional program gave the inspirational speech.  She was really great.  I loved what she had to say.

After that, the awards began.  I didn’t win one but that’s okay.  They gave three awards and one person from each class got one.  In my class it was Ria, Jennifer, and Tamika.  They gave lovely thank you speeches.  Then awards were given to the Student nursing association officers.  I was a member but never went to a meeting because they were always when I had to work, or had lab or clinical.

Then pinning began.  They did the traditional students first. That took a while because it seemed like there were a lot of them.  Then they started us.  My name was called and I got pinned by my favorite professor, Mrs Griffin.  Her classes were really a great way to end a tough program and I appreciate her. My picture was taken while I was up there and my husband got some pictures from his seat too.

After we returned to our seats, we rose and said the Florence Nightingale Pledge:

“I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.  I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.  I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.  With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in this work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

Lisa from my class, delivered the farewell speech.  I thought she did a great job. I am very proud of her.

Closing remarks were made by my favorite professor and she was recognized for her retirement. We were the last class to have her as a professor. She said at the end “Let’s party”

We recessed to “I gotta feeling” by Black Eyed Peas.  We recessed into the auditorium where I proceeded to have the gift from my husband signed by my classmates (we were missing one classmate) and took a bunch of pictures.  I hugged my classmates goodbye and I said I would see some of them on Saturday at Commencement. (I decided to go, what the hell right?)  We made promises to keep in touch. You always do that right?  But does it ever really happen?  I hope in this case it does.

After much of the crowd left I got my dress and changed my clothes and we headed out to dinner at Tarantino’s with my mom, and our friends Adam and Erin for a celebratory dinner.  It was a lot of fun and I had a great time.

Earlier in the day I got some flowers from my in-laws and when i returned home from pinning  I had flowers from my sister and brother-in-law.  (red roses- gorgeous)  What a great day!!

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Today I applied to the Board of Nursing for my state.  One step closer…..