Accelerated Nursing Program Graduates Pinned During Marymount Ceremony

Seventy-two graduates of Marymount University’s accelerated bachelor of nursing program celebrated their accomplishment during a pinning ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Lee Center on the school’s main campus. The event also honored their family and friends for supporting them.

“Like any new group, we started last September as a collection of strangers with a common goal,” said Arya Pretlow, who was chosen by the faculty as student speaker. “It didn’t take long for individual strengths and gifts to shine and, thankfully, as a group we recognized that getting through nursing school is a team effort.”

Accelerated BSN students already have one bachelor’s degree. In addition to knowledge, Pretlow said the program helped them build character. They rose to the challenges of their own circumstances, she said, and also rolled up their sleeves to help each other, whether that meant working with peers who needed extra lab practice, studying together, or pooling resources to assist classmates during family hardships.

“We are helpers,” she said. “We are teammates. We are leaders. Each of you brings unique gifts to the lucky unit that has hired, or will hire, you.”

Alumni speaker Karin Kutscher, who graduated in 2015 and works at Virginia Hospital Center, urged the graduates to have tenacity, to practice, and to be patient with themselves as they continue to learn on the job.

“That stick-with-it-ness as a new registered nurse has been necessary because it takes endurance and persistence to be a part of the healthcare system,” she said.

She urged the new nurses to be patient with themselves.

“Patience allows me to process my experiences, and it gives me the time that I require to become competent.”

Ryan Lawson served as the student master of ceremonies for the event. Jasmine Mims led the International Council of Nurses’ Pledge.

During her remarks, Pretlow thanked President Matthew D. Shank, Acting Provost Rita Wong, and Dean Jeanne Mathews for their commitment to ongoing excellence at Marymount’s Malek School of Health Professions.

“Thanks must also go to our professors, faculty, and the support staff who make this nursing program happen,” she said. “And, finally, a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our families and friends, who have supported us in their own unique ways as we worked our way through these intense 15 months.”

Many of those family and friends were in the audience of 675 people. Nursing faculty member Kathleen Schaefer, who directs the ceremony, said some students brought more than 20 guests.

“This is a way to acknowledge our students for their excellent work and to thank their families and friends for all their support,” Schaefer said. “We encourage them to invite everyone!”

She said the fact that the school’s president and provost attend the event shows the administration’s strong support for the program.

 

Photo captions

Photo 1

Arya Pretlow was chosen as student speaker at Marymount University’s accelerated bachelor of nursing program’s pinning ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Lee Center on the school’s main campus. She’s pictured with Dr. Jeanne Matthews, dean of the Malek School of Health Professions.

Photo 2

Nursing faculty member Kathleen Schaefer, who directs the ceremony, said it’s a way to acknowledge students for their excellent work, and to thank their families and friends for all their support. Here Lauren Adams is shown being pinned by her husband, Austin Adams.

Photo 3

Seventy-two graduates of Marymount University’s accelerated bachelor of nursing program celebrated their accomplishment during the pinning ceremony. Accelerated BSN students already have one bachelor’s degree.

Photo 4

Alyssa Abbey is shown with her sons, Brendan and Caleb, as she’s pinned by her father, John Aiken.