Courtesy photo Participants and guests attending Nashua Community College Department of Nursing's annual pinning ceremony are spread out in the school's auditorium for the event, which was postponed from May due to COVID-19 pandemic.

NASHUA – The healthcare profession has a dozen new registered nurses, the result of Friday’s Nashua Community College Department of Nursing’s ‘pinning’ ceremony at which all 12 Class of 2020 members earned their degrees.

Typically held in May, this year’s 17th graduation and pinning ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and guests were strategically spread out for the ceremony, which took place in the college’s auditorium.

“We wish our new nurses well as they assume their new roles and thank them for their commitment and courage in serving society as registered nurses,” Department of Nursing director Jeanne Hayes said in congratulating the graduates.

The 12 graduates include Aubrey Cheney, Anselme Djosson, Laura Hatfield, Shelly Ladd, Nicole McLaughlin, Rachel Morris, Jocelyn Perry, Maria Pilon, Emily Rizzuto, Denise Salvato, Kristen Veneman and Cassidy White.

All 12 are currently employed in the nursing field.

Courtesy photo Speakers at Friday's Nashua Community College Department of Nursing's annual pinning ceremony address the 12 graduates during the program, while images of each are shown on a large monitor set up the school auditorium.

Nashua Community College, one of seven members of the state’s Community College System, was founded in 1970 as a two-year college that offers more than 50 associate degree programs, along with certificate and career training courses.

Its programs focus on partnering closely with area industries to provide students “with real-world experience” and “a unique perspective in their fields of study,” according to campus communication specialist Tina Forbes.

As for the pinning ceremony, the tradition goes back to the days of Florence Nightingale, who is credited with founding modern nursing education.

The pinning ceremony is comprised of three parts, according to Forbes.

First, each graduate is called forward to receive their pin, which is placed by a person the graduate has chosen.

The new nurses then light their lamps, a symbolic practice that stems from Nightingale becoming known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” for her dedication to caring for her patients at night.

Third, the nurses recite the Nightingale Pledge, which represents their “commitment to care for all of us without reservation in our time of need,” according to Forbes.

For more information on Nashua Community College and its nursing program, go to www.nashuacc.edu.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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