The Washburn School of Nursing welcomed new students, Jan. 29, 2024, in their Light the Lamp ceremony. These students were inducted into the Washburn Nursing Program.
To begin the ceremony, Debbie Isaacson, School of Nursing associate dean, shared a brief history of Washburn’s nursing program.
“Each of the newly admitted nursing students will receive a pin […] a visual reminder about their oath and commitment to providing high quality care,” Isaacson said.
Alice Adams Young helped start the nursing program in Topeka and became the first dean in 1974. Since then, the school has graduated over 3,800 nurses.
The ceremony is named after Florence Nightingale, who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War. She worked late into the night with a lamp to see where she was going around her station.
“Soldiers began referring to her as the ‘lady with the lamp,’” said Jane Carpenter, School of Nursing dean.
During the ceremony, the new nursing students received a pin that represents the lamp of knowledge.
“It’s really to welcome the students into the School of Nursing and to get them started on their journey,” Carpenter said. “It’s a great way to get them started.”
During the event, Dennis Schafers, School of Nursing lecturer, reminded the future nursing students of their support system. He encouraged them to thank their family and friends for their support on the journey to their future careers and gave hopeful words to the students.
“Medical schools have what they call ‘white coat’ ceremonies. This is something very similar just for the nursing profession, formally introducing them into the nursing profession,” said Louisa Schurig, School of Nursing academic advisor.
Elsa Cozine, senior nursing major, was given the opportunity to speak during the ceremony.
“It’s just an honor,” Cozine said. “I thought I could come before the students to just encourage them. I would hope that it would inspire people to want to become a nurse to serve people.”
Afterwards, the students were praised by their loved ones and enjoyed the free cookies outside of the room.
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Jeremy Ford
