Keiser University Fort Lauderdale campus Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) graduates who are preparing to enter the professional world during the challenging global COVID19 pandemic were pleased to take a respite from their certification and board examination studies to participate in a virtual and on-campus pinning ceremony.

Led by program director Dr. Christine Mueller, family members and friends cheered on the learners as they enjoyed the important tradition which included inspiring faculty messages and a ceremony of light. While paying homage to Florence Nightingale and the lamp she carried, the ritual also demonstrated how healthcare professionals can serve as a beacon of light to those who are suffering.

“These new nursing graduates are heading into unprecedented challenges with the global pandemic. They will not only be the front line of care, they will often be the only connection these patients have to their families. This has been a challenging year for the world and it has taken a very special person to bloom during this time. Our Keiser University graduates have shown us how they take on these challenges and become the nursing warriors the world needs today,” said Mueller.

Recognized as the ‘mother of modern nursing,’ Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in the 1860s for her tireless work during the Crimean War, and soon began the tradition by presenting medals to her most promising graduates.

Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Nursing prepares students to practice professional nursing. Professional nursing involves the performance of those acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skill based upon applied principles of biological, physical, psychological, and social sciences.