New Funding Available to Nursing Schools for White Coat Ceremonies

AACN and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Partner to Underscore the
Importance of Compassionate Care in New Nursing Students

WASHINGTON, DC, May 24, 2018 – For the fifth consecutive year, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APGF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are partnering to support White Coat Ceremonies at schools of nursing nationwide. This year, APGF is providing $50,000 to support these events designed to instill a sense of pride in new nursing school students—signifying their commitment to high quality, patient-centered care. To date, the partnering organizations have provided financial and technical support to White Coat Ceremonies at 260 nursing schools in 49 states.
 
“Nurses are on the frontlines of advancing the health of all patients, and they understand the healing benefits of kindness and compassion,” said Dr. Ann Cary, Chair of the AACN Board of Directors. “AACN applauds The Arnold P. Gold Foundation for its generous support of events that champion the trust, humanity, and compassion required to become a nurse and provide an exceptional patient experience.”
 
Since 1993, White Coat Ceremonies have served as a rite of passage for new medical students who commit on their first day of medical school to improved health outcomes and care for all patients. Recognizing the role that all health professionals must play in providing compassionate care, APGF and AACN began partnering in 2014 to showcase nursing’s role in advancing patient care. AACN member schools are adapting these ceremonies to fit the needs of academic nursing, including developing a new oath that aligns with the profession’s approach to care delivery.
 
This year, AACN will select 50 schools interested in hosting a Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony for new nursing students in Fall 2018. 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 symbolizes the student’s role in championing compassionate care. These events also may 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 offering a White Coat Ceremony are encouraged to view the frequently asked questions prior to completing the online application. All applications must be received by July 1, 2018. 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 previously have received funding to host a White Coat Ceremony will not be eligible to apply for new funding this year.
 
For more information about this program, please contact AACN’s Nursing Education Assistant Jabari Cooper at jcooper@aacnnursing.org.

 

Categories: Policy & Advocacy, Press Release