Embracing Compassionate Care: BHSU Hosts Third Nursing White Coat Ceremony

On October 28, 2024, in the Campus Hub Gymnasium, the Baptist University Nursing Division hosted its third White Coat Ceremony for the class of Summer 2026, a rite of passage that not only emphasizes the importance of compassionate patient care early in nursing training but also plays a pivotal role in shaping the professional identity of our future nurses. Dr. Cathy Stepter, Dean of Nursing, opened the ceremony and welcomed guests. Dr. Ivy Anderson, nursing faculty, followed with an opening prayer. 

Dr. Cheryl Johnson-Joy, associate dean of nursing, presented Keisha Herron, Capstone senior nursing student, as the student speaker for the event. Herron ended the speech using a quote inspired by Chris Butler, “Mirror Mirror on the wall, I will get back up each and every time I fall, I will set my goals, no matter how small and by Faith, I believe, I will achieve them all.” 

Dr. Seraphine Lambert then introduced Dr. Sheila Bouie, the Dean of Health and Natural Sciences at Southwest Tennessee Community College and Chair of the Tennessee State Board of Nursing, as the guest speaker for the evening. Dr. Bouie stressed, “…that you will be cloaked in the coat white this afternoon, the coat is an outward symbol to the public of your professionalism, and your dedication. It sets the expectation of how the public, peers and others will engage with you. But remember, this is on the outside, it does not fix what’s on the inside – that is all you. When I began my remarks, I said that we must treat each other well. Be kind, forgiving, generous with time and in spirit – that is what is on the inside. Please, wear your coat with pride and humility on the outside, and allow the attributes akin to nursing care to radiate from within.”

Thirty-six students came forward during the ceremony to be cloaked in white coats by Dr. Cheryl Johnson-Joy, Dr. Ivy Anderson, Dr. Demetric Osborn, Professor William Wood, and Professor Allyson Smith. While holding nursing lamps and led by Boling, the group recited the University’s Nursing Clinical Pledge, a pledge that symbolizes the commitment to compassionate and ethical patient care. This pledge underscores the significance of the commitment each student is making. Stepter provided closing remarks and Anderson prayed for the group. A reception followed the event.

The White Coat Ceremony, initiated in 1993 at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons by Arnold P. Gold, MD, has since become a global tradition. Dr. Gold, a passionate advocate for humanistic health care, believed that the oath taken by new physicians at the end of medical school came too late. Through the nonprofit organization that he and his wife, Dr. Sandra Gold, started, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation has expanded the White Coat Ceremony around the globe, uniting health care professionals in their commitment to compassionate care.

In 2014, recognizing nurses' vital role in the health care team, the Gold Foundation partnered with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to adopt a similar ceremony for nursing. The Gold Foundation provides support and resources to nursing schools to conduct the White Coat Ceremony, ensuring its successful implementation and continuation.

While it may take different forms at each nursing school, at its core, the ceremony emphasizes the importance of humanistic patient care, which is defined as compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically excellent health care, early in nursing training and professional identity formation. 

The Gold Foundation champions the human connection in health care. The foundation engages schools and their students, health systems, companies, and individual clinicians in the joy and meaning of humanistic health care so that patients and their families can be partners in collaborative, compassionate, and scientifically excellent care. 

For more information about the ceremony and the Gold Foundation, visit www.gold-foundation.org.

The BHSU ceremony was sponsored by the Baptist University Student Nurses Association, Dr. Seraphine Lambert, Dr. Cheryl Johnson-Joy, and Professor Allyson Smith, Advisors. Thanks to Jeremy Wilkes for helping during the event.