DANVILLE —  Two Kansas area residents were recently awarded Bachelor’s degrees in nursing by Lakeview College of Nursing. 

Nathaniel Shick and Andrea Stiff both attend Lakeview’s Charleston Campus and part of the degree awarding program included cloaking the new graduates with white lab coats. The college’s faculty also wore white coats representing the compassion of nursing.

Within the nursing community, the rite of passage into professional practice has traditionally been symbolized by graduates receiving their college's official nursing pin. Although this tradition continues, the nursing profession, as well as overall healthcare, has changed, explained Rauch.

Members of Lakeview's Student Government Association led the Nightingale Nursing Pledge and the White Coat Oath. Students recited verses that call for practicing the profession to the best of their ability as well as to promote, advocate and strive to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.