The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions honored 18 pre-licensure nursing students completing its Accelerated BSN Program with a Pinning Ceremony at George A. Pruitt Hall on Dec. 21, 2023.
The ceremony heralds an important transition into the profession for nursing students who are now prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
“The Pinning Ceremony holds special significance for our students and their families and is a celebration of their success in their studies and on-ground clinical experiences,” noted Dr. Lorraine Chewey, associate dean of Undergraduate Programs at the School. “Each student put forth a monumental effort during the program’s 15-month span. They are now well-prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam before officially entering the profession.”
During the ceremony, Christopher Donegan of Westfield, N.J., received the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nursing Students. Those receiving the nationally recognized award are nominated by their nurse educators and clinical staff at the School’s partnership sites. According to The DAISY Foundation™, the recognition honors the work nurses do for patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve and throughout their careers.
Donegan was also inducted into the Upsilon Rho Chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, along with fellow cohort members Megan Enright of Forked River, N.J.; James Everett of Columbus, N.J.; Noah Karasik-Tiewski of Howell, N.J.; and Rachel Lynn Stubbs of Flemington, N.J.; during the ceremony.
Dr. Ruth Wittmann-Price, the dean of the School, highlighted the growing influence of registered nurses in shaping patient experience, advocating for patients, contributing to health policy and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. “The School takes pride in its distinguished reputation and our Accelerated BSN Program graduates,” she said. “These accomplished individuals are entering a profession eagerly anticipating their arrival.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook reported that the median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2022 with approximately 193,000 employment openings for registered nurses projected each year (on average) over the next decade.
The school’s first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate for its Accelerated BSN Program graduates ranks in the top 4 percent of all BSN programs in the country. The program is No. 2 among the 57 RN licensing programs in its licensing jurisdiction (includes BSN, associate degree and diploma programs) according to the recent NCSBN Program Report. Also, in its ongoing commitment to RN to BSN students, TESU is providing Salute to RNs Scholarships learn more about this scholarship program and how to apply.
Vi-Anne Antrum, DNP