BECKLEY, W. Va. — The West Virginia University School of Nursing Beckley Campus held its Pledge Ceremony Oct. 19 at the Calvary Assembly of God for sophomore students formally entering their nursing education.
The nursing pledge is a commitment to demonstrate and respect the moral principles of the nursing profession. Specifically, the WVU School of Nursing Pledge speaks to integrity, compassion, ethics, patient advocacy and lifelong learning. During the ceremony, students receive their white coats to signify the beginning of their nursing experience.
For Jonathan Mills, of Crab Orchard, the ceremony represented “making a commitment to being a good nurse” and letting others know that he is passionate about this career.
“I want to become a nurse because I have seen the joy that nurses bring people at their weakest state in life,” Mills said. After graduation, he hopes to work in coronary care or on a step-down unit.
Allie Miller, of Beckley, sees the Pledge Ceremony as “a rite of passage into the nursing world.”
“It is also me taking an oath that I will provide my patients care to the best of my ability,” she added. “This includes remaining unbiased, engaging sympathetically and empathetically when appropriate, and advocating for them in ways that my nursing knowledge allows me to.”
Miller said she wants to become a nurse because she cares for others unconditionally and wants to advocate for others when they are unable to do so for themselves.
“Knowledge is power. By growing my knowledge throughout nursing school, I am able to obtain a different perspective that allows me to critically think and problem solve in ways I haven't been able to before,” Miller said. “This is beneficial for my patients, but it is also beneficial to me. I am able to assess my health and use my nursing knowledge to improve my lifestyle.”
After graduation, she hopes to work as a labor and delivery nurse before becoming a nurse midwife.
“Since I was a child, I have known that my calling is to take care of children whether that be my own or someone else's,” Miller said. “I chose labor and delivery because by working with the mothers, I am also benefiting the child. By helping educate the mothers about their health and their babies, I am contributing to improving that child's quality of life.”
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CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu