Brooklyn Heights
Let’s gather those stethoscopes for the incoming nursing students at St. Francis College. The angels-of-mercy-to-be were honored at the fourth annual Nursing White Coat Ceremony on Feb. 2.
“This ceremony has become an important rite of passage for students who have achieved academically and can now pursue their dream to become registered nurses,” said Eleanor Kehoe, chairperson of the Nursing Department.
The ceremony continues a tradition that adds special meaning in recognizing the vital role nurses play in the healthcare system.
More than 200 students are now enrolled in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at St. Francis, with the first class of graduates having performed remarkably well on their National Council Licensure Examination nursing certification test.
The college places a heavy focus on technology in its four-year undergraduate program, as well as its two-year registered nurse to Bachelor of Science program. A Sim-lab features a collection of robot simulators that mimic thousands of symptoms for students to diagnose. All the work is captured on video, giving instructors the opportunity to pinpoint specific areas for improvement.
White Coat ceremonies first became popular more than 20 years ago and were exclusively for students in medical school. They have spread to nursing in an effort to create a stronger sense of community among all healthcare workers and recognize their value as part of the healthcare team.
St. Francis College (180 Remsen St. at Court Street in Brooklyn Heights; www.sfc.edu).