AU School of Nursing Receives Funding To Host White Coat/Oath Ceremonies
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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University School of Nursing (SON) was recently one of 50 nursing schools nationwide selected to receive funding to host White Coat/Oath Ceremonies for incoming students in the 2021-2022 academic year as announced by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Through this collaboration, the two organizations are highlighting the importance of compassionate care to nursing students early in their professional formation.
“The School of Nursing is grateful to the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for the opportunity to host a Nursing Oath Ceremony for our incoming 2021-2022 nursing students,” said Lynn Schmidt, dean of AU’s School of Nursing & Kinesiology. “Our faculty and staff look forward to celebrating future AU nurses with their families and friends.”
Though White Coat/Oath Ceremonies are not new to healthcare, they are relatively new to nursing. Since 2013, AACN and the Gold Foundation have worked together to implement this rite of passage in nursing, which has resulted in the founding of 410 schools of nursing in 50 states, including the District of Columbia, receiving support as part of this initiative.
“The compassionate connection that nurses forge with their patients is the foundation of humanistic healthcare — care that all people deserve. We are delighted to join with AACN to support 50 schools of nursing in establishing this humanistic ritual and emphasizing the importance of the human connection in their future care,” said Dr. Richard I. Levin, president and CEO of the Gold Foundation.
“Quality healthcare is not possible without compassion,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN president and CEOr. “Academic nursing is grateful to the Gold Foundation for their groundbreaking work to help all members of the healthcare team understand the importance of delivering patient-centered care.”
While these seeding grants are limited each year, all nursing schools are eligible to receive Gold lapel pins for their nursing students participating in White Coat/Oath Ceremonies. The pins include a signature Gold loop, which represents the essential bond between clinicians and patients, and serves as a reminder of their ceremony.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.