Nursing graduates celebrated during winter pinning ceremony

Liberty University’s School of Nursing held its annual winter pinning ceremony Friday, Dec. 12, for December graduates. A total of 279 students from three programs accepted their diplomas during the ceremony. Of the 105 students able to attend the biannual event, 14 were from the Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN); 31 from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the Registered Nurse (RN-BSN); and 60 were Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates.

Many of the graduating students were part of the accelerated program, allowing them to complete clinical demands in 18 months rather than three years. The pinning ceremony is held at the end of each semester, though students who graduate in the winter are welcome to join in the university’s Commencement Exercises in May. Those who graduate in December may find better opportunities for job placement.

Students who graduate from the residential BSN program will be required to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become Registered Nurses. Liberty’s nursing program currently has an average NCLEX examination pass rate above 90 percent.

Earlier in the day, a reception was held for visiting online students. The reception served as a formal welcome to the graduates, some of whom came to their alma mater for the first time. Afterward, they were given the opportunity to tour Liberty’s state-of-the-art nursing facilities.

Last summer, the School of Nursing received a major expansion and renovation to its facilities in DeMoss Hall. This included the addition of 10 health assessment suites, an obstetrics and gynecology (OB) theater equipped with a birthing mannequin, and an interactive team area.