Thirty graduating Nursing students were celebrated on Thursday in a special pinning ceremony for their completion of the Associate Degree of Nursing.

“Going forward, remember the trials and tribulations of nursing school. Remember how it felt to be the new kid on the block. Remember to show empathy to your patients, co-workers and, most importantly, to yourself,” said Margaret Lowell, graduate and student speaker.

The pinning ceremony is a rite of passage for nursing graduates. The tradition began in the 1860s when Queen Victoria awarded Florence Nightingale the Red Cross of St. George to recognize her service as nurse during the Crimean War. Nightingale, who is credited as the founder of modern nursing, wanted to share this recognition. She later presented medals to her nursing students.

At Blackhawk, each nursing student designates a person in their life to “pin” them. That person – often a family member or friend – presents the graduate with a pin. At Thursday’s ceremony, the pin was attached to a ribbon and places over the graduate’s neck.

Led by nursing graduate Enrique Casiano, the graduates also recited the Nightingale Pledge, which is often cited at pinning ceremonies for nurses and is like the Hippocratic oath that is recited by new physicians.

Patty Aronson was nominated by the graduates to be the faculty speaker.

“There will be times that are good and times that are bad. But there will be another nurse to understand it,” Aronson said. “We’ve gone from being heroes to villains and back again. Nurses need to support each other.”

Many of the graduates have already been hired by area health care providers. Jobs range from hospice care and home health to hospital and clinic positions.

2022 Nursing Class

Micheala Appner

Katie Barr

Alyssia Bartelt

Matthew Bradley

Kelli Butts

Mackenzie Capelle

Enrique Casiano

Nichole Christensen

Kristina Conner

Courtney Cox

Jenna Dowdy

Katrina Fraley

Amber Golackson

Hailey Frazier

Samantha Hendrickson

Teresiah Karanja

Margaret Lowell

Anastatia Maerz

Morgan Melahn

Crystal Meyer

Daisy Ortiz

Meghan Phillips

Theresa Phillips

Alexandra Quade

Anthony Smooth

Alexa Suiter

Riley Trace

Christopher Vancaster

Karen Vinedahl

Deanna Wallace