Jillian Stocker
  • Nursing
  • Class of 2017
  • Rutland, VT

Jillian Stocker Inducted at Inaugural Castleton White Coat Ceremony

2015 Jan 26

Castleton nursing student Jillian Stocker recently joined nearly 100 other Castleton nursing students who participated in the inaugural Arnold P. Gold Foundation White Coat Ceremony.

A new collaboration between the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the ceremony marked the first time a coordinated effort has been developed to offer events such as this at schools of nursing. Castleton was selected in 2014, this pilot year, as one of 100 nursing schools in 43 states to offer a White Coat Ceremony.

"It is the custom in nursing education to honor students at the completion of the nursing programs. This ceremony honored the newest among us and recognized that we are passing the torch to them," said Castleton Director of Nursing Education Ellen Ceppetelli. "My hope is that beginning nursing students will be encouraged to persevere in this very challenging major, recognize that humanism and scientific proficiency have equal value, and that compassionate care is a key component in the privileged intimacy that we share with our patients."

The White Coat Ceremony was designed in 1993 by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation as a way to welcome new students into the medical profession and to set clear expectations regarding their primary role as physicians. The inaugural tradition, which includes the cloaking and recitation of the medical oath by participants, emphasizes the importance of compassionate care as well as scientific proficiency in medicine and nursing.

During the ceremony guest speakers Dr. Joseph O'Donnell and Dr. Maureen Sroczynski shared their wisdom and knowledge in the medical field, inspiring the future members of the professions to continue to grow.

"This decade is one of the most exciting decades in the profession of nursing that we have ever seen," said Sroczynski.

In addition to the cloaking of students in their white coats, a specially designated pin was added to each coat. The pin serves as a visual reminder of the oath and commitment to provide compassionate and high quality care.

"By offering White Coat Ceremonies, our schools are sending a clear message to new nursing students that compassionate care must be a hallmark of their clinical practice," said President of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Dr. Eileen T. Breslin. "Securing a commitment to providing patient-centered care at the beginning of a nurse's professional formation will help to raise the quality of care available to all patients."

ABOUT THE ARNOLD P. GOLD FOUNDATION

The APGF is a growing international not-for-profit organization with the mission of optimizing the experience and outcomes in the field of health care for both patients and practitioners. The foundation works with physicians and nurses in training and in practice, as well as other members of the healthcare team, to instill a culture of respect, dignity, and compassion for both patients and professionals.