Berkeley College Nurse Pinning Celebrates Future Healthcare Professionals
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: The Berkeley College School of Health Studies recognized 28 graduates of the College’s Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (left) and Practical Nurse (right) programs during a pinning ceremony for nursing graduates on Friday, April 14, 2023. Pictured (right) with Practical Nurse graduates is Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College.
See the Photos: Click here to view photos from the Berkeley College School of Health Studies pinning ceremony for nursing graduates.
The Berkeley College School of Health Studies honored a new generation of healthcare heroes entering the workforce at a pinning ceremony for its nursing graduates on Friday, April 14, 2023, at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ. The ceremony recognized 28 graduates of the College’s Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN) and Practical Nurse programs.
“Today is a day of celebration for all of your hard work, sacrifice, and commitment in becoming nurses,” said Jenny Sena, DHSc, PA-C, Dean, Berkeley College School of Health Studies. “Your determination, compassion, professionalism, and motivation in never giving up your dreams of helping humanity has prevailed.”
At the ceremony, student and faculty speakers acknowledged workplace challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a critical shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers. According to a recent article by McKinsey & Company, the United States may face a gap of between 200,000 to 450,000 nurses by 2025.
“The real clinical practice of nursing is challenging and the modern working conditions in healthcare are demanding,” said Christopher de la Victoria, RN, Professor, Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies. “Staff issues continue to thrive, healthcare norms and standards continue to evolve – so continue to be brave.”
“We have become a unique family bound together by the experience of this part of our lives that will continue to mold our future,” said Stephanie Santomieri of Glen Rock, NJ, an LPN to BSN graduate. “The last three years of nursing has been filled with enormous challenges. We’ve lost loved ones, we’ve lost patients, and we’ve had sleepless nights when we quarantined from our families. We used trash bags as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) due to the shortage. You are stronger, you are more resilient, and you deserve to be where you are today.”
Photo Caption: Stephanie Santomieri of Glen Rock, NJ, a Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate, and Elay Serbest of Paterson, NJ, a Practical Nurse graduate, deliver remarks during a pinning ceremony for nursing graduates on Friday, April 14, 2023.
“The true masterminds behind our success were the faculty,” said Elay Serbest of Paterson, NJ, a Practical Nurse graduate. “Your commitment to our education and unshakable conviction in our abilities have been critical to our success.”
Gina Miranda-Diaz, DNP, APHN-BC, Chair, Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies, recalled her own pinning ceremony and encouraged the graduates to always continue learning.
“Today is special. I can only imagine the pride and joy that you feel,” she said. “The nurse has an awesome responsibility, when someone places their life or a loved one’s life in your hands.”
Learn More: Click here to learn about the Master of Science in Nursing at Berkeley College.
Berkeley College presented each graduate with a pin, symbolizing their transition into the profession, and the graduates recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge, a commitment to ethics and compassionate patient care.
Photo Caption: The Berkeley College School of Health Studies recognized 28 graduates of the College’s Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Practical Nurse programs during a pinning ceremony for nursing graduates on Friday, April 14, 2023.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 3,600 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for 10 consecutive years. U.S. News & World Report named Berkeley College (NJ) one of the Best Regional Colleges in the North in its 2023 edition of the Best Colleges Survey. Berkeley College (NJ) was recognized among the Best Colleges in the region for social mobility for three consecutive years. The website address is http://www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
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