Teresa Receives Her Diploma!

Saturday afternoon Teresa graduated from the OU College of Nursing with more than 300 other nursing graduates. The ceremony took place at a huge baptist church in Moore, OK.

When nurses graduate, they often recite "The Florence Nightingale Pledge" which was printed in the program for this event. It's essentially the Hippocratic oath of nursing. As I understand it Florence Nightingale, the famous nurse who drastically improved healthcare conditions during her career in the 1800's, became known as "The Lady with the Lamp" by the soldiers she helped due to her long hours, caring for patients into the evening. As a result, the candle or lamp has become a symbol of nursing.

Side-note: as I was confirming the information above I discovered an interesting coincidence - Florence Nightingale was born May 12, 1820 the same day as this ceremony, 187 years ago.

Teresa and her fellow graduates walked into the church carrying the votives below.

And the crowd goes wild.

And here she is with her diploma, wearing her nursing pin; what a huge accomplishment! After years of hard work, giving up her vacations, evenings (and perhaps a little of her sanity) to make this happen, she earned her Nursing BSA.
We're so proud of you, Teresa!!