Three Rivers Pinning Ceremony Celebrates 32 Nursing Students

NORWICH, CT — Three Rivers Community College held the twenty-fourth Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday. During the ceremony, 32 nursing students received their nursing pin, according to a release.

The ceremony marked the completion of the students' nursing degree, with each pin serving as a symbol of their readiness to serve as compassionate professional caregivers. (To sign up for Norwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“Congratulations on your perseverance and dedication," Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski said in a release. "Our program requires study, fortitude and diligence. You are the cream of the crop, and I hope that one day one of you will be taking care of me.”

Director of Nursing and Allied Health Edith Ouellet urged the nursing students to practice the art and science of nursing with their "amazing minds and a loving heart," and continue to build on what they have learned.

Keynote speaker and retiring nursing faculty member Patricia Colonghi echoed Ouellet's sentiment to keep learning; she encouraged students to continue their education, which will benefit their patients.

The nursing class president, Tracy Sibley, got chuckles from her peers as she shared memories of the challenges they had all faced together. A candlelight recitation of the Nurse’s Pledge followed the presentation of the students’ nursing pins.

During the Three River Commencement on May 24, the students will be awarded an Associate of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of a licensing examination, the graduates will have earned the credential of Registered Nurse (RN).

Three Rivers graduates’ scores on the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) are consistently above the national average, with a three-year average of over 93 percent. Graduates also report a 100 percent job placement on the last three graduate surveys.

Photo Captions:

Nursing Class President Tracy Sibley ’17 addresses her peers at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony; Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski congratulates the nursing students on their success.

Images courtesy Alexa Shelton