Donning the White Coat

Joe Higgins | February 1, 2018

Nearly 400 people attended the rite of passage ceremony for 105 OHIO School of Nursing (SON) sophomores on Friday, Jan. 26, during the Class of 2020 White Coat Ceremony. Associate Director for BSN Operations Patty Snider opened the event and welcomed the students into the profession of nursing.

“Nursing is a profession that requires knowledge and skill but it is also a profession of caring and compassion,” she said. “It is a profession but it is also an art.”

School of Nursing Director Dr. Deborah Henderson introduced keynote speaker, Dr. Sherleena Buchman — an assistant professor in the school with more than 20 years of experience who continues to work clinically. Buchman took the time to provide some history regarding the ceremony.

The White Coat Ceremony is intended for first year students in medical, nursing and physician assistant programs and is a rite of passage that often takes place during the first year of school and welcomes students into the practice. Lab coats were first worn by scientists in the late 1880s to protect their skin and clothing from the substances they were working with in the lab. White coats became the normal attire for physicians thereafter. The first White Coat Ceremony was held in August of 1993. Since then, many schools around the world have held these ceremonies and the College of Health Sciences and Professions’ School of Nursing counts itself as one.

“Nurses are also scientists and nursing is based on sound scientific principles and research,” Buchman said. “Nurses continue to provide the highest standard of care by applying sound clinical judgment and evidence-based practice.”

"The program is not easy by any means,” said Sarah Reardon, one of the student honorees. “It challenges me daily, but when something like the White Coat Ceremony happens, I am reminded of how worthwhile it is. Receiving my coat was just another validation that I chose a major and a future job that I am passionate about."

Each of the nursing students in attendance was adorned with their new white coat and then took the White Coat Oath:

As a nurse dedicated to providing the highest quality care and service, I solemnly pledge that I will:

• Consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns;
• Act in a compassionate and trustworthy manner in all aspects of my care;
• Apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability and assure optimal outcomes for my patients;
• Exercise sound professional judgment while abiding by legal and ethical requirements;
• Accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence;
• Promote, advocate for, and strive to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient;

With this pledge, I accept the duties and responsibilities that embody the nursing profession.

I take this oath voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.

To view a list of all those honored, click here.