Spring Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Bryant & Stratton College – Henrietta Campus is honored to recognize the extraordinary achievements of its Winter nursing graduates during their Nursing Pinning Ceremony. This revered tradition celebrates the hard work, resilience, and compassion our students have demonstrated throughout their nursing education.

The Pinning Ceremony marks a pivotal moment in a nurse’s journey—signifying the transition from student to professional caregiver. It is a time-honored rite that welcomes graduates into the noble profession of nursing, as each student is presented with a unique nursing pin representing their academic accomplishments and readiness to serve.

More than just a ceremony, this event reflects the heart of nursing: dedication to others, a spirit of service, and the courage to care in the face of challenge. As our graduates are pinned, we celebrate not only their academic success, but also their commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities.

This momentous occasion honors the support of faculty, mentors, and loved ones who have played vital roles along the way—and most importantly, it marks the beginning of a lifelong calling for each new nurse.

History of the Nursing Pin

The tradition of the nursing pin dates back to the era of the Crusades, when service and sacrifice were recognized by a badge of honor. Centuries later, Florence Nightingale, widely known as the founder of modern nursing, began awarding medals of excellence to distinguished graduates of her nursing school in London during the 1860s.

In 1880, the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York became the first American institution to award pins to its nursing graduates, establishing a legacy that has since been embraced by nursing programs worldwide. Each pin is distinct, often featuring symbols meaningful to the institution it represents.

For today’s graduates, the nursing pin signifies the successful completion of their nursing education, their entrance into a respected and essential profession, and a lifelong promise to provide compassionate, ethical, and skilled care. Receiving this pin is not only a celebration of past accomplishments—it is a pledge to uphold the values and responsibilities of nursing in every patient interaction to come.