Nursing Students Honored at Ceremony of Blessing and Transition

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The third class of Lindsey Wilson College students were officially accepted into the college's baccalaureate nursing program Saturday afternoon.

A total of 27 LWC students were presented their laboratory coats at the Ceremony of Blessing and Transition at V.P. Henry Auditorium. The white, iconic coats -- which were furnished by Dr. Phil Aaron of Columbia -- symbolize the students' acceptance into LWC's baccalaureate nursing program. After this school year, the students will have two more academic years until they receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

The 27 students honored Saturday are part of one of LWC's fastest-growing majors. A total of 70 students are classified as nursing majors, and the first nursing cohort is on track to graduate next spring; an additional 104 students are declared pre-nursing majors, according to LWC Nursing Division Chair Marian Smith.

Today's nursing students are entering the profession during an exciting time, according to Westlake Hospital Chief Executive Officer David Rasmussen.

"There are so many opportunities, and you can go multiple directions as a nurse," Rasmussen told the students during the ceremony. "Your role as a nurse will continue to change as time goes on. … You have the opportunity now to dream big. Always remember that there will always be room for a nurse at the bedside of a patient."

In addition to being presented white lab coats, the LWC nursing students also received a washing and blessing of their hands from LWC Assistant Chaplain Rev. Carol Weddle. The ritual served to remind them of the college's connection with The United Methodist Church, which founded the college in 1903, Smith said.

Aaron -- who also bought new white lab coats for the LWC nursing faculty -- said the coats serve two purposes: to protect nurse's clothes and serve as a symbol of authority

"Wearing a white coat in a health-care facility gives you a position of authority," Aaron said.

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Click here to see more pictures from the ceremony.