Mercer Times

Close to 100 nursing students, mostly in their sophomore year, gathered at Kendall Hall on November 14 for the White Coat Ceremony. This event signifies their transition into clinical rotations, which will begin in the spring semester.

The ceremony involved each student stepping onto the stage as their name was called. They handed their white lab coat to a faculty member who cloaked them with it.

“It is a special moment because it is their first professional passage to being a nurse,” stated Carole Kenner, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. “It is when students feel they are really nursing students and will be providing clinical care.”

Mia Conners ’27 reflected on her experience during the ceremony: “This was the next step in my journey. I am about to deal with real patients and not just mannequins,” she said. “I’m here, and ready.”

The White Coat Ceremony tradition began in 1993 by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. It aims to initiate healthcare students into a community focused on caring and humanism in medicine.

“Putting on the white coat, I realized, this is who I want to be,” expressed Jedd Mercado ’27. “This is what I am going to do. It was surreal.”

After receiving their coats, the 93 students took an oath together. They pledged to uphold integrity and humility in their profession and prioritize patient care.

“Taking this oath will make me a better nurse because it holds me to high standards and reminds me who I am doing this all for — my patients,” said Laura Young ’27.

Suzanne McCotter, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, addressed the students: “We are at a time when we need you desperately. The state of New Jersey needs you, our families need you, our community needs you,” she said. “We can’t wait to see the next stage of your success.”