Held in Ira Allen Chapel on September 26, the 11th annual White Coat Ceremony marked a meaningful milestone for nursing students: the symbolic transition from classroom learning to hands-on patient care. Department Chair Rosemary Dale, Ed.D., APRN, opened the event by recognizing the significance of the moment and the varied paths that lead students to the nursing profession.
The ceremony honored three distinct cohorts: traditional undergraduates, direct-entry master’s students, and direct-entry doctoral students. Each group represents a unique journey into nursing, inspired by a shared commitment to compassionate care.
Crafting A Career
Keynote speaker Nena Rich, a 1993 UVM alumna currently pursuing a doctorate in global health at University College London, delivered a message centered on resilience, adaptability, and the power of maintaining a strong nursing voice throughout one’s career.
“Nursing will stay with you through all of it,” Rich said, recounting her path from home care to pediatric critical care, quality management, clinical systems analysis, and public health. She encouraged students to embrace the complexity of their careers and to anticipate both “forks in the road” and “career shocks.”
Her message resonated with students and faculty alike: “Your nursing career will be unique, but you have to craft it. It’s valuable to society and to our planet, so make it long, productive, and sustainable,” said Rich.
Faculty Support and Community Connection
The ceremony also introduced students to the faculty who will guide them through their academic and clinical journeys. Professors from across the department shared their areas of expertise, from palliative care and public health to pediatric nursing and ethics, highlighting the depth of mentorship available at UVM. College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Noma Anderson was also in attendance.
Dr. Dale closed the event with a reminder to students: “Get to know your faculty. Stop in, say hello, make a connection. We’re here to help you, and we want to know you.”
About the UVM Nursing Program
The Department of Nursing at the University of Vermont offers a holistic and humanistic approach to professional nursing, integrating behavioral sciences and clinical expertise to prepare nurses as both scientists and artists of care. Known for its emphasis on experiential learning, rural community engagement, and strong academic-practice partnerships, the program provides students with early and sustained clinical exposure across a variety of settings.
Affiliations with UVM Health and Appletree Bay Primary Care offer hands-on training in a healthcare ecosystem that includes a Level 1 Trauma Center, pediatric hospital, and cancer center. Guided by a mission to lead and transform healthcare through innovation and social responsibility, UVM’s nursing curriculum cultivates compassion, integrity, and excellence, qualities reflected in its consistently high NCLEX-RN pass rates.