This article was originally published at Long Island Exchange
Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health has been
selected by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APFG) and American
Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to receive funding support to
host a prestigious Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony for Nursing, recognizing the students’
commitment to the health care profession and demonstration of
compassionate, patient-centered care. Adelphi is one of only three local
schools to receive this distinction. Nearly 90 Adelphi students are
expected to be honored at the ceremony to take place in the Tomas Dixon
Lovely Ballroom of the Ruth S. Harley University Center on Friday,
October 23 at 12:00 p.m.
Though White Coat Ceremonies have been hosted by medical schools for
more than 20 years, last year marked the ground-breaking collaboration
between the APFG-AACN and its inaugural program. The Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony for Nursing
will include recitation of an oath associated with the responsibilities
of the nursing profession, the cloaking of each student in a white
coat, an address by an eminent role model, presentation of a
specially-designed pin that serves as a visual reminder of their pledge
and commitment to providing the highest quality care to patients and
their families, and a reception for students and invited guests.
For health care providers, White Coat Ceremonies emphasize the
importance of providing compassionate care among health professionals.
This collaboration between the APFG and AACN seeks to support
humanistic, patient-centered care among future generations of registered
nurses. “A growing body of research shows that compassionate care is
linked to superior patient outcomes, lower levels of provider burnout,
and higher satisfaction among all members of the health care team,” said
Dr. Richard Levin, president and CEO of the APFG. “We are delighted to
join with AACN to help foster a commitment to compassionate care among
nursing students at the start of their clinical education.”
“I am very pleased that we have been awarded the grant from the Gold
Foundation and AACN to help us inaugurate this ceremony at the College
of Nursing and Public Health,” said Adelphi University College of
Nursing and Public Health Dean Patrick R. Coonan. “This ceremony will
serve to continuously remind our students entering the clinical phase of
their education that they will deliver high quality, compassionate care
to their patients. It is a good introduction to connect them more to
the nursing program and the field of nursing.”
For more information about Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health, visit nursing.adelphi.edu. To view the full list of schools honored, visit http://www.aacn.nche.edu/wcc-2015.
