Donning their new nursing pins with pride, Brock University Nursing students are ready to champion the well-being of their communities, one meaningful contribution at a time.

Brock celebrated the achievements and dedication of graduating students from its Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Concurrent Bachelor of Nursing/Master of Nursing (BN/MN) programs during two pinning ceremonies this week.

The ceremonies, held Thursday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 13, marked a symbolic rite of passage dating back more than a century. In receiving their pins, students affirmed their professional responsibility to provide compassionate, ethical and skilled care.

Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy, Associate Professor of Nursing, emphasized the enduring significance of the tradition.

“Wearing a nursing pin symbolizes and honours nursing science, education and practice,” she said. “It recognizes the leadership, skills and abilities needed to become a Registered Nurse, a tradition dating back to the era of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.”

Brock has hosted annual pinning ceremonies since 2009, honouring each graduating class. This year’s event also spotlighted the unique BN/MN program. As Canada’s only concurrent nursing degree pathway, the program combines undergraduate and graduate-level nursing education.

Dawn Prentice, Professor of Nursing and BN/MN Program Coordinator, said the program opens new career pathways for students.

“We have graduates from diverse backgrounds who chose this program to restart or advance their careers,” she said. “The emphasis on research and leadership uniquely equips students for various roles in the health-care field.”

For BN/MN student Nianam Ramsamy, the pinning ceremony symbolized much more than completing a degree.

“It’s a celebration of all the hard work, time and effort I’ve put into this program. It’s a moment to stand with my classmates and reflect on how far we’ve come,” she said.

Ramsamy praised the program’s small cohort size, leadership training and diverse clinical placements, which included settings such as labour and delivery, intensive care and long-term care management.

The range of learning opportunities offered by the program allowed BN/MN student Renata Phillips to find her calling.

“The combined approach aligned with my passion for helping patients achieve optimal functioning,” said Phillips, who originally considered a career in occupational therapy. “The program expanded my vision for what a career in nursing could be.”

She added that the program’s focus on leadership and advanced practice provided a strong foundation for pursuing future roles, including becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

As the newest class of Brock Nursing graduates prepares to enter the health-care field, they carry with them a shared commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care.

“The pin represents the values of compassion, care, and professionalism,” Phillips said. “It reminds us of the long hours spent developing the skills needed to provide the best care possible.”