White Coat Ceremony

This fall, the first Nursing White Coat Ceremony welcomed and recognized 17 bachelor’s degree, 6 clinical nurse specialist (CNS), 58 family nurse practitioner (FNP), 4 family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (FPMHNP), 7 pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) and 8 post-master’s and registered nurse first assist (RNFA) students.

White Coat Ceremony Pictures
September 2008

The first annual White Coat Ceremony for nurses held this fall launched an occasion by which the university and wider community recognizes the nurse professional in pursuit of advanced practice. 

"When you put on your white coat you are telling others you are entering advanced nursing or changing direction in the profession," remarked College of Nursing Dean, Elvira Szigeti, PhD, who opened the ceremony. 

Approximately 250 people gathered, including nearly 100 nursing students, their families, friends and other guests, for the recognition ceremony held September 10 in Weiskotten Hall. The event included presentation of the traditional white laboratory coat to each master's degree and post-master's advanced certificate student. All other students were given a special gift of a carrying case. Students and their guests enjoyed a delicious buffet afterwards in the Weiskotten café. Sponsors of the event were the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. (VNA), the Nursing Alumni Association, the Student Association of the College of Nursing (SACON) and the President's Office of SUNY Upstate Medical University.

"You are joining the family of Upstate Medical University and the incredible College of Nursing," University President, David R. Smith, MD, said in welcoming the students.  

"We all know that nurses are the 'go-to' people," said alumna Denise Hiser Ruddick (BS '06/MS '09), “and we should be honored and wear the white coat proudly." Also president of SACON, she noted that students initiated the idea for the ceremony.

Indi Shelby, president and CEO of the VNA, noted the foresight in which the ceremony was established. "Promotion of higher education for nurses is needed in the Central New York area and the corporate world needs to support this or we all suffer. We need to strengthen our profession and the businesses that provide healthcare. We are in the frontline of healthcare and we are demonstrating our commitment with this recognition today."

"I wish I had received this (white coat recognition) when I was a student," Bonnie Miner, president of the Nursing Alumni Association, remarked. "This is phenomenal! We have crossed the boundaries of medical practice to do this. I hope with this event you will say, I really remember the significance of my time at Upstate."   

Mary Ellen Xavier Flanagan of Parish, a mother of two toddlers, is pursuing her master’s/FNP to become a primary care oncology nurse specialist. The ceremony, attended by her husband and mother, "was important to recognizing nursing practice," she said. "I feel like a professional! It's a rite of passage."