The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Renews Commitment to Funding White Coat Ceremonies at AACN Member Schools of Nursing

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Renews Commitment to Funding White Coat Ceremonies at AACN Member Schools of Nursing 
 

WASHINGTON, DC, May 12, 2016 – In celebration of National Nurses Week, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APGF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are pleased to announce that new funding is available to nursing schools interested in initiating a White Coat Ceremony in Fall 2016. Developed to champion scientifically-sound, compassionate care, the Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony for Nursing is held at the beginning of an academic year to promote the importance of humanistic, patient-centered care to new nursing students. To date, the partnering organizations have provided funding and technical support to introduce White Coat Ceremonies at 160 nursing schools nationwide.

This year, AACN will identify 50 schools interested in implementing a Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony for new nursing students in Fall 2016. Participating schools will receive $1,000 in financial support to host a ceremony, which typically features the recitation of an oath, receipt of a commemorative pin, an address by an eminent role model, and a reception for students and invited guests. The specially designed pin will serve as a visual reminder of the students' oath and commitment to provide compassionate and high-quality care. These events could include a welcome by the dean, the president of an affiliated hospital, or other respected leader who represents the value system of the school and the profession the students are about to enter. 

Nursing schools interested in participating in the pilot program are encouraged to complete the online application. All applications must be received by June 17, 2016. The criteria that will be considered when selecting schools for this program include the application submission date, geographic diversity, and representation among AACN's four institutional types: Small Schools; Academic Health Centers (AHCs); Private School without an AHC; and Public School without an AHC.

Note: Schools that received funding to host a White Coat Ceremony in previous years will not be eligible to apply for new funding this year. 

For more information about this program, please contact AACN associate director Shelley McKearney at smckearney@aacnnursing.org. 

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The Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APGF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to keeping healthcare human. We aim to create the Gold Standard in healthcare – compassionate, collaborative and scientifically excellent care - to support clinicians throughout their careers, so the humanistic passion that motivates them at the beginning of their education is sustained throughout their practice. We strive to ensure that care and respect always govern the relationship between practitioner and patient. www.humanism-in-medicine.org