University of Louisville dental, dental hygiene and undergraduate nursing students will mark their entry into the health care field this weekend. About 150 dental and dental hygiene students will take part in a White Coat Ceremony at the Louisville Palace, Saturday at 10 a.m., while 89 nursing students will participate in a similar event known as the Transition Ceremony, Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Health Sciences Center Auditorium.
During Saturday’s ceremony, dental and dental hygiene students will put on their white coats and take the Dental Professional’s Pledge, prompting their responsibility for clinical excellence and professionalism at the beginning of their dental education. Students are encouraged to remember the importance of showing compassion and empathy for their patients, and treating them with respect throughout their careers.
The Transition Ceremony signifies the advancement of future nurses from the classroom to clinical rotation learning during the final four semesters of the undergraduate program. Similar to a White Coat Ceremony for the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, the Transition Ceremony is a symbolic step into the nursing profession. Students recite the School of Nursing Honor Code Pledge and receive a pin to wear on their scrubs that serves as a reminder of their commitment to provide high quality care.
