Pin of honor

College of Nursing’s Pinning Ceremony steeped in tradition

By Tracy Brown Wright

The College of Nursing Fall Pinning Ceremony/Photo by Maria Belen Farias

The UF College of Nursing held its Fall Pinning Ceremony in December for fall bachelor of science in nursing graduates. Most of the 48 graduates who participated were part of the college’s Accelerated B.S.N. class, which is composed of students choosing nursing as a second career and who already possess a bachelor’s degree in another field.

The College of Nursing Fall Pinning Ceremony/Photo by Maria Belen Farias

The ceremony, sponsored by the UF Nursing Alumni Council, has become a tradition at the UF College of Nursing. The graduates are pinned with the college’s pin by Alumni Council members, welcoming them into the nursing profession as UF alumni.

The history of the nursing pin dates back to 1880. As the profession of nursing developed, each school chose a unique pin to be awarded to their graduates. The pin then became a public symbol of pride in the school.

“Your College of Nursing pin can and should be worn with pride whenever UF nurses are engaged in the practice of nursing,” said Alumni Council President Karen Hanson during the ceremony. “It is a distinct symbol of the University of Florida and communicates our commitment to the highest standards of nursing care.”