By Dr. Phyllis Woolford, Chair, Department of Nursing Education & Ms. Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer

On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the University of the Southern Caribbean’s (USC) Nursing Department held its annual Pinning Ceremony, a significant pre-graduation event that lasted two and a half hours. Themed “Celebrate Endings for They Precede New Beginnings,” the ceremony symbolically marked the transition of nursing students from their roles as students to practicing professionals.

The Pinning Ceremony is steeped in history, tracing its roots back to the 1860s when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her exceptional service during the Crimean War. This tradition was later institutionalized at the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, England. Today, it continues to be a cherished ritual, where dignitaries and qualified personnel ceremonially pin the distinctive USC Nursing Pin on the left lapel of each graduating student’s uniform.

This year’s ceremony saw the graduating class standing with lit candles, reciting the Nurses Pledge, a moment that highlighted the solemnity and importance of their new roles. The program was filled with memorable moments, starting with the feature address by Mrs. Shema Alexander-Campbell, Nursing Administrator at the Ministry of Health. Her speech was filled with inspirational insights and encouragement for the new graduates.

Special music performances added to the ceremony’s beauty, including an outstanding duet by Ivana Wong and Denicia Ottley. Another highlight was the Valedictorian speech by Ms. Ariel Ransome, which resonated deeply with all attendees.

The event also included the presentation of awards. Mrs. Maureen Giddings-Estwick was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for her over 50 years of dedicated contribution to the field of nursing. Additionally, twelve students, six from the Main Campus and six from the South Campus, were recognized for their outstanding performance in various categories: Punctuality, Citizenship, Clinical Performance, Spiritual Awareness, Academic Performance, and Class Representation.

Reflecting on their journey, students shared heartfelt testimonies. Olivia Springer recalled how the scriptures planted throughout the USC campus provided her with comfort and strength during her studies, expressing gratitude for the supportive environment that made her academic success possible. Jardel Phillips spoke about the challenges and rewards of being a male nursing student, highlighting the importance of breaking stereotypes and the strong bonds formed with classmates and healthcare professionals.

“I remember the day I first visited the campus, For me, it was the scriptures that were planted throughout the lawn,  it was the scriptures throughout the halls, it was those said scriptures that gave me comfort and strength throughout my time at USC. I couldn’t have done it without Jesus and USC made that easy.” – Olivia Springer 

“Life as a male nursing student involved breaking stereotypes and often being in the minority. It has been hard balancing rigorous academics and clinical rotations while showcasing capability and compassion. The experience has been rewarding, and has led to many new relationships with healthcare professionals already working in the field and strong camaraderie with classmates.” – Jardel Phillips

As the Pinning Ceremony concluded, the gratitude towards the entire faculty and staff of the Nursing Department was palpable. Their incredible support and dedication over the past four years played a crucial role in the students’ success. The meticulous planning and execution of the event were a testament to their commitment to the future of nursing.

In the words of the featured speaker, Mrs. Shema Alexander-Campbell, “Be the best your colleagues expect. Endings aren’t roadblocks; they are bridges leading us to unexplored horizons. Step forward with strength and mindfulness, knowing that this ending is just the beginning of a new chapter.”

The Pinning Ceremony of 2024 will be remembered as a significant milestone in the lives of the new USC nursing graduates, symbolizing not only the end of their academic journey but the beginning of a promising career in healthcare.

By Claudette Mitchell, Ph.D., RDN

Promoting continued advancement in higher education is embedded in the vision, mission, and motto of the University of the Southern Caribbean. This initiative is embraced by its faculty, staff, graduates, and students as together they seek to make a difference not only by offering assistance or engaging in service but rather in preparation for the delivery of quality service through self-development and practical training. Such approaches are reflected in the instructional delivery of degree programmes, and the efficiency and operation of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, though the youngest of the programmes, just about a decade since its’ implementation is well sought after by students at the local, regional, and international levels. The programme offers the student dietitian the opportunity for practical application within the cultural context of the Caribbean region, and the wider international community, as 100 percent of our credits are accepted by universities in the United States. Presently, pre and post-pandemic era, practical training for our student dietitians is conducted across Caribbean territories – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis [specifically on the island of Nevis], St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The graduates from the programme since its inception have won Organization of American States (OAS) Scholarships and pursued graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, Loma Linda University, Dominican University, Oakwood University, University of the West Indies, and the University of Technology, Jamaica. Among these outstanding academic institutions, they completed the dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins University, Loma Linda University, Dominican University, and Oakwood University. The employability and marketability of our graduates remain consistently high; they are hired by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as community nutrition officers, and in other cases, they are micro entrepreneurs in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

In the academic year 2023/2024, two (2) graduates successfully passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians in the United States of America. These individuals are Brittany Whiteman, MPHN, RDN; and Sudi Potts, MBA, RDN.

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences extends congratulations to these graduates and is proud of their achievements. To God be the glory! We look forward to greater success among our alumni and will continue to provide support to aid our students in achieving their career goals.