Adelphi Hosts Its First-Ever Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony for Nursing Students

Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health has been selected by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APFG) and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to receive funding support to host a prestigious Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony, recognizing the students’ commitment to the health care profession and demonstration of compassionate, patient-centered care. Adelphi is one of only three local schools to receive this distinction. Nearly 90 Adelphi students are expected to be honored at the ceremony to take place in the Tomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom of the Ruth S. Harley University Center on Friday, October 23 at 12:00 p.m.

Though White Coat Ceremonies have been hosted by medical schools for more than 20 years, last year marked the ground-breaking collaboration between the APFG-AACN and its inaugural program. The Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony will include recitation of an oath associated with the responsibilities of the nursing profession, the cloaking of each student in a white coat, an address by an eminent role model, presentation of a specially-designed pin that serves as a visual reminder of their pledge and commitment to providing the highest quality care to patients and their families, and a reception for students and invited guests.

For health care providers, White Coat Ceremonies emphasize the importance of providing compassionate care among health professionals. This collaboration between the APFG and AACN seeks to support humanistic, patient-centered care among future generations of registered nurses. “A growing body of research shows that compassionate care is linked to superior patient outcomes, lower levels of provider burnout, and higher satisfaction among all members of the health care team,” said Dr. Richard Levin, president and CEO of the APFG. “We are delighted to join with AACN to help foster a commitment to compassionate care among nursing students at the start of their clinical education.”

“I am very pleased that we have been awarded the grant from the Gold Foundation and AACN to help us inaugurate this ceremony at the College of Nursing and Public Health,” said Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health Dean Patrick R. Coonan. “This ceremony will serve to continuously remind our students entering the clinical phase of their education that they will deliver high quality, compassionate care to their patients.  It is a good introduction to connect them more to the nursing program and the field of nursing.”

For more information about Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health, visit nursing.adelphi.edu.