Seated in the center of the arena wearing navy blue scrubs, the student nurses were inspired by the morning’s keynote speaker, Sarah Matney, MS ’16, RN, CPON, CENP. School of Nursing Assistant Dean for Clinical Education and Clinical Instructor of Nursing Bridget Rich introduced Matney, who is the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Senior Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer.

Matney encouraged the students to continue to work hard, stay humble, be kind, and to always “…remember your why.” While their personal reasons for choosing nursing may vary, Matney said there is a common thread among all nurses: the desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

“As you step into your clinicals, you will start to gather experiences that validate your ‘why’,” said Matney. “Hang onto them. Cherish them. And reflect on them when you need to remind yourself to stay in the battle. Don’t always look for huge moments. Look for small ones, too.”

School of Nursing Dean Larry Slater said putting on the white coat marks a milestone step for the students as they continue their work toward joining the profession shared by their faculty and administration.

“Getting your white coat today signifies the start of your clinical rotations and actually getting out there in the community and taking care of patients, and families, and communities,” said Slater. “We, as nurses, are honored to have you alongside us in this journey.”

As they undertake the rigorous work ahead, Slater reminded the students to lean on their support systems, including their family and friends in attendance.

“You’ll need that support, as you have throughout your career so far, to get you to that finish line so that you’re sitting here again, in this arena, for your pinning ceremony; and then graduation on the quad to get that BSN behind your name, and then take that license exam and get that RN behind your name,” said Slater. “This is the start of this tremendous journey that you are about to embark on. Myself, your faculty, staff and administration are excited to support you in that journey to make sure you are successful.”

The meaningful ceremony honored 185 members of the BSN Class of 2026 and 50 members of the Accelerated BSN Class of August 2025. School of Nursing faculty bestowed white coats upon each of the students, together with pins provided by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

School of Nursing Director of Undergraduate Programs Tyler Traister presented the history of the White Coat Ceremony and led the combined classes in the school’s White Coat Ceremony Oath.

Traister encouraged the students to remember the white coat not only represents their dedication to patient care, but the trust that people have in them as a nurse. He encouraged them to emulate the compassion they will see in the clinical environment. Traister also shared the words of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, who said, “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took an excuse.”

“So let this be your mantra as you face inevitable challenges and setbacks that may lie ahead,” Traister said. “But do remember that each of you here is resilient, intelligent and amazing. You have the power to make a real difference in the world.” 

In Focus