Fourteen students received their white coats, signifying their immersion into the clinical practice of nursing, during a ceremony in the McBride Gathering Space on Friday, Feb. 4.
Students in the inaugural cohort of Elon University’s accelerated nursing degree program formally marked their immersion into the clinical portion of their health care education during a special ceremony in the McBride Gathering Space on Friday.
Presented with white coats to wear in clinical settings including hospitals and clinics, these 14 students are now more than three months into the 16-month program, having completed foundational courses such as pharmacology, physiology and pathophysiology and assessment of health and wellness.
During Friday’s ceremony, the students heard remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book and Becky Neiduski, dean of the School of Health Sciences, as well as a keynote address from Tiffany Morris, chair of the Department of Nursing. Before the closing of the ceremony, the students recited the “oath to compassionate patient care.”
Launched in fall 2021, Elon’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses who are committed to local and global health equity and demonstrate the ability to think broadly, critically and creatively to optimize client-centered care. The intensive, 16-month program includes more than 500 clinical hours and is designed for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in any field. This inaugural cohort will graduate in December 2022.
The program is one of two programs within Elon’s Department of Nursing, which is chaired by Associate Professor Tiffany Morris. Along with the 14 ABSN students, 39 Elon students started the four-year Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program last fall.
Members of the ABSN Class of 2022:
- Alyssa Baskette-Stokes
- Carly Carbone
- Genisis Dancer
- Ashley Duggan
- Alivia Gilbert
- Amanda Lester
- Jessica Lloyd
- Lauren Myers
- Sabrina Palmieri
- Jessica Renaud
- Sarah Trexler
- Joe Tynan
- Debryah Washington
- Brian Williamson