- WHEN:
Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
Doors open at 9:00 a.m.; graduates report to Fackler Foyer West by 9:15 a.m.; all others are seated by 9:45 a.m.; processional at 10:00 a.m. - WHERE:
Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL (on the campus of the University of Florida) - ACTIONS FOR BSN GRADUATES:
- PIN ORDER SYSTEM IS NOW CLOSED – Will open in January 2024. An email with detailed instructions will be sent directly to the graduates.
- RSVP online – Submit your RSVP now. Deadline is January 31, 2024.
- HOW DOES THIS PINNING CEREMONY RELATE TO COMMENCEMENT:
- The Pinning & Recognition Ceremony is a ceremony welcoming grads to the profession of Nursing, specifically for Nursing undergraduates to mark their transition into the Nursing profession, hosted by the College of Nursing, and sponsored by the UF College of Nursing Alumni Council. It is NOT a the Commencement (aka – Graduation) Ceremony. Assuming there are no health & safety restrictions (none are currently anticipated), the candidates will each have their names called and walk across the stage to be pinned by members of our Alumni Council. Professional (business) attire is expected. White coats are preferred, but not required. Academic regalia is not suitable.
- The Commencement Ceremony is THE GRADUATION CEREMONY for all University of Florida undergraduates, hosted by the Office of the President. It is the graduation ceremony, where a nationally recognized speaker participates, academic regalia is required and a degree is conferred by the UF President.
History
The concept of the nursing pin dates back to the Crusades when the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem displayed the Maltese Cross on their uniforms. Following the Crusades, some of the Crusaders noted the excellent nursing care provided by the Hospital of Saint John and decided to join the nursing group. Over the centuries, various schools and craft guilds adopted symbols to use on buttons, badges or shields to represent their training, wisdom, strength, courage and faith.
In 1880, Florence Nightingale chose the Maltese cross as the badge to be worn by the graduates of her first school of nursing. As the profession of nursing developed, each school chose a unique pin to be awarded to students completing their programs. The pin then became a public symbol of excellence worn on nurses’ uniforms. Often, the pins first were put on at a “pinning” ceremony during graduation activities.
Graduates continue to purchase their colleges’ pins to wear after graduation. The unique pin provides an outstanding way to display pride in achievements and easily identifies each nurse’s alma mater to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
BSN Graduate Candidate Check-In
Participating candidates MUST REPORT to Fackler Foyer West, located in the west wing of the Curtis M. Phillips, M.D. Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) no later than 9:15 a.m. on May 3. All personal items (including phone, purse, etc.) should be left with your guest(s) prior to reporting to Fackler Foyer West, or you will not be permitted to pick up your pin. You will pick up your pin during the check-in process in Fackler Foyer West, prior to the Pinning & Recognition Ceremony on May 3.
Guest Information
Tickets are NOT needed for admission. Guests MUST be seated in the CPA Auditorium no later than 9:45 a.m. At the conclusion of ceremony, grads will recess all of the way out of the building. Please arrange a “meeting spot” with graduate/guests prior to the ceremony, as graduates will not be permitted to carry a cell phone with them during the ceremony. The venue is ADA accessible. At this time, we do NOT anticipate using tickets for admission.
Attire
Pinning Ceremony – Professional attire is expected to participate in this ceremony, which marks a milestone in the transition to your professional career. You are encouraged to also wear your white coat, but it is optional. RN to BSN graduates who do not have a white coat may contact Lyndsay Ulmer at lyndsay8@ufl.edu for details on how to order by February 29, may also use a white coat you already own, or may decide to not wear one (as they are optional). Academic regalia is not suitable for this ceremony.
Ladies: Please note that you are being pinned so should you choose to wear a dress with thin straps, pair it with a cardigan or cover-up (or white coat) so that there is sufficient material to affix the pin. Also, remember that you will be walking up steps and across an elevated stage, so please wear shoes with a professional heel height and skirts/dresses of appropriate length.
Parking
Participating graduates and their guests may park in the SURFACE LOT & parking garage at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts located off Hull Road (near the intersection of SW 34th Street and Hull Road). Decal restrictions are lifted on the day of the event. Gated, ADA spots or spots reserved for a specific individual tag are still enforced.
Faculty RSVP Form for Pinning
Faculty are encouraged to attend to celebrate the pinning of our BSN soon-to-be-graduates (ABSN & RN-BSN). Please RSVP by February 29 with your plans to attend.
Please be seated on stage not later than 9:45 a.m. on May 3.
RSVP Form - Pinning Ceremony
For questions regarding the Pinning Ceremony, please contact:
