The College of Nursing recognized its class of 2016, the largest class in the college’s history, on May 20 at its pinning and hooding ceremony at the First Pentecostal Church in North Little Rock.
With family and friends watching, 313 graduates from the college’s five nursing programs took part in the ceremony, which marks the end of the educational requirements of their degrees and the beginning of their clinical practice.
“We are proud of all our graduates and know the enormous impact this class can have on patients and their families in this state,” said Patricia A. Cowan, PhD, RN, dean of the College of Nursing.
UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, MD, addressed the class, as well as Donna Middaugh, PhD, RN, associate dean for academic programs.
As part of the commemoration, the baccalaureate students were led by Cowan in reciting the Nightingale Pledge, which calls upon them to be devoted to patients and the community, and promote the health and welfare for all.
Claudia Barone, EdD, APRN, presented 29 students with various awards from the College of Nursing.
The class of 2016 included 109 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students, 65 RN to BSN program students, 118 master’s students, 17 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students, and 4 PhD students. The class of 2016 is up from 250 graduates last year and 213 graduates in 2014.
