The Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are pleased to announce that new funding is available to nursing schools interested in initiating a White Coat Ceremony in Fall 2018. Developed to champion compassionate, collaborative, scientifically excellent care, the Gold-AACN White Coat Oath Ceremony for Nursing is held at the beginning of an academic year to promote the importance of humanistic, patient-centered care to new nursing students. Since 2014, the partnering organizations have introduced White Coat Ceremonies at 260 nursing schools nationwide.
“We are delighted to be continuing this wonderful partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and bringing this ceremony, which underscores the importance of humanistic care, to thousands of nursing students during this new academic year,” said Elizabeth Cleek, PsyD, Chief Program Officer.
Nursing student Xue Zhao is helped into her white coat by nursing professor and department chair Dr. Melody Cash during a Nursing White Coat Ceremony in January 2018 at Eastern Mennonite University. EMU received a grant through the AACN-Gold Foundation program to initiate their first ceremony in 2016. (Photo by Macson McGuigan/Eastern Mennonite University)
This year, AACN will identify 50 schools interested in implementing a Gold-AACN White Coat Ceremony. Participating schools will receive $1,000 in financial support to host a ceremony. With an oath, inspirational words, a pin, and the students’ first white coat, this iconic ceremony begins the journey of compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically excellent care.
Funding for this program is made possible through the generous support of Gold Foundation Board member Elaine Adler. The White Coat Ceremony was first initiated by Dr. Arnold P. Gold and the Gold Foundation in 1993 at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. Today, nearly every medical school in the United States, hundreds of nursing schools, and many health profession schools around the globe participate in this tradition emphasizing humanistic care.
Nursing schools interested in participating in their first White Coat Ceremony are encouraged to complete the online application. All applications must be received by July 1, 2018.
Note: Schools that received funding to host a White Coat Ceremony in previous years will not be eligible to apply for new funding.
