Scroll Ceremony welcomes nursing students to profession

The Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing welcomed its newest students to the nursing profession Monday, Aug. 27 with an inaugural Scroll Ceremony.

The event on the TAMHSC Bryan Campus was the first of its kind for the college and designed to acknowledge the respect, honor and dignity ascribed to a career in nursing. Eighty-three (83) students were recognized.

Students were greeted by Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs for The Texas A&M University System, and Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, dean of the TAMHSC-College of Nursing. Susan Yarbrough, Ph.D., RN, associate dean for academic affairs, served as keynote speaker.

“According to a Gallup poll, Americans rate the honesty and ethical standards of nurses the highest of all 21 professions tested, and nurses have consistently topped the list year-to-year,” Dr. Yarbrough said. “As a profession, nursing has earned the public’s trust. As a student and later as a member of the profession, we have an obligation and responsibility to our patients to maintain that trust.”

Students were presented with a scroll inscribed with the Code of Ethics for Nurses from the American Nurses Association and acknowledged their acceptance of the code with their signature. By signing their name, students pledged to uphold the high ethical standards written in the code and serve the nursing profession with professionalism.

“In nursing, formal ceremonies of this nature are often few and far between,” Dr. Wilkerson said. “This event marked a new tradition in our nursing education through a formal introduction of our students eager to embark on their education. Upon successful completion of this program, these scholars will, through a strong dedication to their profession, improve the quality of health care across Texas and beyond.”