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Georgian Court-Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness recently celebrated the graduation of 29 students who successfully completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) during the 19th pinning ceremony.
The pinning tradition goes back to the 1800s and it represents the nursing education journey. The pin, which symbolizes the new nursing credentials, is presented by a faculty member selected by the student who has supported or mentored them throughout this journey. As part of the ceremony, the graduates state the Florence Nightingale Pledge, the nursing equivalent of the physicians’ Hippocratic Oath: to do their best, never do harm, and always put the care of patients first. Graduates also participated in the Presentation of the Roses, handing out roses to the special people in their life who helped them achieve their goals.
“The nursing pinning ceremony is a celebration of our student’s hard work through their educational program and hallmarks their initiation into the profession,” said Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., the nursing school’s dean. “Our winter 2022 graduates overcame multiple challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and have grown into confident, competent, compassionate professional nurses who will guide healthcare into the future.”
Approximately 85% of GCU nursing students are employed within a Hackensack Meridian Health facility within 3-6 months of completion of their degree.
“We overcame a lot to get here. Each and every one of you should feel incredibly proud of what we have accomplished. Not everyone can do what we do,” said Georgia Carros, of Wall, NJ, who gave the class address during ceremony. She reflected, “Through our time together I have grown to genuinely respect and care for each one of my classmates — which is why I am so excited to see what they all go forward to accomplish in their nursing careers.” Carros was also named the recipient of the Rich Hader Academic Excellence Award for being the student with the highest GPA. She has accepted a position as an RN at the emergency room at Ocean University Medical Center, where she currently works as a patient care technician.
Several other graduates also received awards:
Rosemary Jeffries Mercy Core Values Award recognizes the student who most exemplifies the core mercy values of justice, respect, integrity, compassion and service.
- Samayra Vincent, Matawan, NJ
The Catherine McAuley Spirit of Nursing Award recognizes students who best demonstrate the spirit of the Nursing profession.
- Angelica Marie Mancusi, Monroe Twp, NJ
- Anna Wnek, South Amboy, NJ
Here is the list of the 2022 December Nursing Graduates:
| Dominique Albert, Manalapan, NJ | Brittany Lucey, Howell, NJ |
| Olivia Bartholomew, Brick, NJ | Angelica Mancusi, Monroe Twp, NJ |
| Amanda Brill, Old Bridge, NJ | Bryana Marks, Toms River , NJ |
| Vincent Carnesi, Manalapan, NJ | Kerry Mendes, Whiting, NJ |
| Georgia Carros, Wall, NJ | Gianna Morreale, Staten Island, NY |
| Kaitlyn Conner, Brick, NJ | Victoria Payor, Manchester, NJ |
| Danielle Dampf, Brick, NJ | Danielle Payton, Toms River, NJ |
| Martha Donnelly, Bayville, NJ | Ramesha Qureshi, Colonia, NJ |
| Mia Dragovic, Howell, NJ | Renee Ribecca, Tinton Falls, NJ |
| Alexandria Forsyth, Bayville, NJ | Marilyn Ruiz-Estrada, Tinton Falls, NJ |
| Kaylee Hoffman, Brick, NJ | Kristen Sheehan, Jackson, NJ |
| Esther Klein, Toms River, NJ | Marissa Simoncini, Forked River NJ |
| Kimberly Kammer, Keansburg, NJ | Brittany Tuite, Toms River, NJ |
| Melissa Kuligoski, Forked River, NJ | Samayra Vincent, Matawan, NJ |
Georgian Court-Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness offers a variety of nursing education programs including the BSN, a 14-month Accelerated BSN, the New Seminary Accelerated Nursing program for Jewish women, and a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing.
