AdNU’s College of Nursing Holds its First-Ever Capping, Pinning, and Candle-Lighting Ceremony

Last October 16, 2006, 220 Nursing students of the Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) donned their caps and pins for the first time. This first-ever Capping, Pinning, and Candle-lighting Ceremony took place during a special Eucharistic Celebration at the Christ the King University Church. AdNU’s University President, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J. was the Main Celebrant. The chosen theme for this historic event was “Ignatian Nurses: Advocates of Holistic Care.”

The imposition of caps and pins on these 134 female and 86 male would-be Ignatian nurses signified a major transition in their life as nursing students.

“After two years of rigorous study in classroom and simulated hospital settings, these candidates are now deemed worthy of hands-on work with real-life patients,” Mr. Francisco Rico U. Raquitico, R.N., the College of Nursing (CoN) Level III Chair, explained. “Prior to this, they were only allowed to observe how professional nurses in hospitals handled their clients. Now, they will actually care for these clients themselves. Higher responsibilities shall be accorded to them.”

Joined by Many Supporters

On hand to pledge their support for the candidates in this momentous milestone were their proud parents and the faculty members of the CoN. They were also accompanied by University Administrators, led by Dr. Rebecca Torres, AdNU’s Academic Vice-President and Dr. Ma. Clara Ll. Rubino, M.A.N, Dean of the CoN, during their procession from the Four Pillars of the University to the University Church.

Likewise gracing the occasion were distinguished guests like Ms. Eden Seminiano, R.N., M.A.N., Assistant Chief Nurse of Bicol Medical Center (AdNU’s affiliate hospital) and Dr. Gloria B. Arcos, M.A.N., Nursing Director of the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital.

The Candidates for Capping and Pinning marched down the stairs of the Four Pillars towards the University Church at 2 p.m. The College Band heralded their approach to the church. The Eucharistic Celebration then opened with the Ateneo de Naga University Choir singing “All the Ends of the Earth.”

In his homily, Fr. President admonished the candidates against becoming mediocre nurses. They must instead be true to their formation as Ignatian nurses fashioned after the heart of the Master Healer, he said.  He referred to the Gospel reading, aptly chosen for this occasion, which depicted Jesus as healing the mother-in-law of Peter and “curing all who were afflicted” (Matthew 8:14-17).

The Offertory Processional proceeded with the symbolic offering of lamps, caps, pins, and busts by selected parents, students, faculty members, and administrators. Prayer requests for enlightenment, the grace to be dedicated to work with knowledge and responsibility, and the capability to perform excellent service, which each gift represented respectively, were lifted up as each was laid before the altar.

After the Communion Antiphon, the candidates rose to recite the “Prayer for Nurses.” Leading them was Ms. Ma. Francia C. Nismal, Clinical Instructor of the CoN.

The Capping, Pinning, and Candle Lighting Ceremony

The Imposition of Caps and Pins as well as the Candle Lighting Ceremony immediately followed. The Ateneo de Naga University Choir opened the event with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Dr. Rebecca Torres, the Academic Vice-President, then welcomed all those who had come to bear witness to this important University event.

The Ceremony Proper commenced with the Entrance of “Florence Nightingale” and the Lighting of the Nightingale Lamp by Ms. Claire P. de Jesus, R.N., M.A.N., Clinical Instructor of the CoN. The Candidates for Capping and Pinning were then asked to stand so as to be presented to the congregation. Subsequently, they were called to approach the front of the altar one-by-one. The Fr. President and Dean Rubino did the honor of imposing nursing caps on the head of each female Nursing student and pins on the lapel of each male one.

“The whole ceremony was lengthy,” one parent remarked. “But it was so orderly and so solemn that we were held captive by the whole thing from beginning to end.”

A message by Dr. Gloria B. Arcos, M.A.N., Nursing Director of the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, capped the event. In her keynote address, she elaborated on the many elements of caring that are expected of a godly nurse.

As a fitting end to the event, the newly-capped and pinned students sang their batch song. They then proceeded to Xavier Hall were a simple dinner for them, their parents, guests, administrators, and faculty was served.

Ms. Angelina R. Hermida, R.N., M.N., Clinical Instructor of the CoN, was Master of Ceremonies of the event. Its success was further made possible by the work of Ms. Myrna Abad, R.N. of the University Health Services, who did the flower arrangements and Mr. Noel Volante, who directed the flow of the programme.  Over-all Chairperson and Co-Chairperson were Dean Ma. Clara Ll. Rubino and Mr. Francisco Rico U. Raquitico, R.N., respectively.  Ten (10) male and ten (10) female Sophomore Nursing students, under the chairmanship of Mr. Dennis A. Locsin, R.N., M.N., served as ushers and usherettes.