West Liberty, WV, September 8, 2023 – Several West Liberty University nursing students received their ceremonial white coats on Thursday, September 7th in Kelly Theater. Seven of them have already received a BA or a BS and have returned to earn their BSN.
Dean of the College of Sciences, Dr. Karen Kettler, explains the importance of the ceremony, “Receiving the white coat is an important milestone in the journey of a nursing student, as it represents their readiness to work with patients in clinical rotations. The ceremony means that students have met the challenges of rigorous prerequisite coursework, and will focus entirely on nursing coursework, developing valuable clinical critical thinking skills. As students wear the white coat, it will be a reminder that they are now training to be part of a profession where integrity, caring, and knowledge are at the core.”
West Liberty University President Dr. Tim Borchers took part in the ceremony alongside the Keynote speaker Kelsay Garvin, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, and chair of the WLU Nursing Department Barbara Kulpa, MSN, RN.
Kulpa adds, “The West Liberty University Nursing program is very excited to welcome our incoming junior nursing class as they take their first step towards becoming a nursing professional. The white coat ceremony is held for nursing students as they begin their clinical rotations. The ceremony emphasizes the core values of nursing, which are humanistic holistic care, meeting not only the physical needs of the patient but also the psychosocial, spiritual and emotional needs as well.”
The BA/BS to BSN degree Class of 2024 includes a class of 7: Jennifer Brooks, Moundsville, WVa.; Jenna Davis, Wheeling, WVa.; Stuart Lim, Princeton, WVa; Madison McReynolds, Colorado Springs, CO.; Haeleigh Martin, New Cumberland, WVa.; Blair Mitchell, Sugar Grove, WVa. and Nelly Fiberesima, Lynchburg, VA.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree Class of 2025 includes a class of 13 students: Taylor Bolinger, Benwood, WVa.; Kayla Gandy, Washington, PA.; Kaylynn Hall, Triadelphia, WVa.; Claire McElwee, Wheeling, WVa.; Kelsey Michael, Paden City, WVa.; Jessica Miller, Moundsville, WVa.; Mara Pendergrast, Follansbee, WVa.; Avery Ray, Katy, TX.; Charles Rose, Benwood, WVa.; Adriana Schellhase, Wheeling, WVa.; Sierra Sears, Richmond,OH.; Abigail Stuart, Charles Town, WVa. and Savannah Turner-Davis, Wheeling WVa.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Tim Borchers reminded the students of the important role they will play in healthcare, “I offer my congratulations on reaching this day. You have chosen a profession that will be even more important in the years ahead. You have my best wishes as you complete your degrees and enter the workforce.”
WLU’s nursing program is housed in the Campbell Hall of Health Sciences and offers the accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for high school graduates, the BA/BS to BSN degree and a RN-to-BSN degree program for Registered Nurses with an associate degree or diploma who are currently licensed or eligible for licensure and want to earn a bachelors.
For more information, please visit westliberty.edu or call the nursing department at 304.336.8108.