Inaugural BSN graduates celebrate their completion of the program at 蘑菇视频 Health
Twenty-nine graduates marked a historic milestone for on Saturday, Aug. 15, as the held its first nursing pinning ceremony.
Surrounded by family, friends, faculty and university leaders, members of the inaugural Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) class received their nursing pins and recited the Nightingale Pledge, affirming their commitment to compassionate, ethical and evidence-based patient care.
鈥淵ou are setting the standard for all who follow you,鈥� said , founding dean of the College of Nursing. 鈥淚t鈥檚 your dedication, resilience and commitment to excellence that brought you to this very moment today.鈥�
蘑菇视频 Health College of Nursing's inaugural BSN graduates mark a milestone moment in addressing Texas's critical nursing shortage
The ceremony represented both a personal achievement for the graduates and a milestone for the college, which was established in 2023 to help address the critical nursing shortage in Texas. The undergraduate nursing program received approval from the Texas Board of Nursing to begin nine months ahead of schedule.
鈥淭oday is a historic moment, not only for each of our graduates, but also for the 蘑菇视频 Health College of Nursing,鈥� 蘑菇视频 Health President said. 鈥淎s we celebrate the accomplishments of our inaugural BSN graduates, we also celebrate the remarkable journey of a college that was built with a vision to address the critical nursing shortage in Texas and prepare the next generation of health care leaders.鈥�
Among those receiving pins was Moyinoluwa Akindele, whose path to nursing was shaped by watching her sisters manage autoimmune disorders and by six years of service in the Army Reserve. Akindele hopes to work in intensive care before pursuing flight nursing and becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
蘑菇视频 Health College of Nursing graduate Momo Akindele has her white coat and stole adjusted on stage during the university graduation ceremony.
鈥淚 want to be a nurse that is competent,鈥� Akindele said in a previous interview. 鈥淚 want to advocate for my patients. I want them to leave the hospital understanding what brought them there and what they can do to get better.鈥�
Also celebrating together were siblings Alberthy and Estrella Carretero, who supported one another throughout the program while following distinct paths to nursing. Estrella hopes to improve care for Spanish-speaking patients, while Alberthy鈥檚 decision to pursue nursing was influenced by the loss of their older sister. Both have accepted nurse residency positions at Cook Children鈥檚 Medical Center.
蘑菇视频 Health's Darla Gruben, Assistant Professor, celebrates with a College of Nursing graduate during post-ceremony family photos
The ceremony also recognized 27 graduates with honors designations. Kayleigh Van Slyke received the College of Nursing Academic Achievement Award; Sophia Jones received the Clinical Practice Award; Dazziana Puga received the Community Service Award; and Zainab Odunewu received the Research Award.
As the graduates begin their careers, 蘑菇视频 Health Senior Vice President and Provost encouraged them to continue learning, embrace innovation and use their voices to advocate for patients and strengthen health care systems.
鈥淵our success strengthens the mission of 蘑菇视频 Health and demonstrates the impact of nursing education on the future of health care,鈥� Ray said. 鈥淲e look forward to seeing the lives you will touch, the communities you will serve and the difference you will make as professional nurses.鈥�
From - Education: by Nicole Luna