The first day of a new school year marks the beginning of new challenges, experiences, and successes that shape a student’s future. This is especially true for 34 junior-year nursing students at Plymouth State University (PSU), who proudly walked in front of their peers on their first day back to college on Monday to accept a brand-new stethoscope in a ceremony symbolizing their transition from classroom to clinical education.
One-by-one, each junior’s name was called to the front of the Samuel Read Hall Building by Dr. Julie Fagan, where they were presented with a Littmann double-sided stethoscope engraved with “PSU Nursing” by senior-year nursing students. The stethoscopes were purchased with contributions from generous donors, including Barton Healthcare Staffing, which contributed $2,000 of the $3,060 total cost to purchase the new equipment.
“You came to nursing for many good reasons, but I know one of the main reasons is because you want to help people, to improve people’s lives, to serve others, to serve community, to serve the country and humanity,” said PSU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Nathan Bowditch at the event. “Now, I know that sounds dramatic, but I also know it’s true—and it’s true based on everything I’ve seen of PSU’s amazing nursing program.”
The stethoscope ceremony, now in its fifth year, models traditional white coat ceremonies at medical schools and symbolizes the students’ transition into hands-on clinical education during the final two years of nursing school. And with a college education coming at a high financial cost for many, free equipment like the stethoscopes helps to create a more equitable starting point for all the aspiring nurses at PSU.
After two years of intense classroom education, the junior-year nursing students at PSU will now supplement their textbooks and lectures with hands-on experience in hospitals and other medical facilities in the area for the next two years, learning how to treat real-life patients in effective and humanizing ways.
During the ceremony, Bowditch asked the nursing students to always keep PSU’s motto, “Ut prosim,” Latin for “that I may serve,” in mind as they complete their clinicals and eventually transition into their working life.
“You’re great people doing important work for all the right reasons,” Bowditch said. “Hold yourself to the high standards set by PSU’s nursing program… expect the best of yourself, give the best of yourself, and if you do, you will be successful.”
Eager to Join an Evolving Nursing Landscape
The nursing profession is undergoing a major transformation in the United States, with many projections illustrating a severe lack of these critical healthcare professionals in the coming years. In fact, a Health Workforce Analysis published by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in November 2022 projects a shortage of 78,610 full-time registered nurses (RNs) in 2025 and 63,720 full-time RNs in 2030.
At PSU, many of the aspiring nurses see the evolving nursing landscape as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients across the country. Olivia Laro, one of these junior-year nursing students, said she decided to choose nursing as a career choice because of the impact she will have.
“I wanted to help people, as cliché as that sounds,” Laro said. “I felt like I wanted to do something that had a lot of meaning, and helping people is a way to do that.”
Hannah Pasquarello said she chose nursing for the same reason as Laro, explaining that she wanted to create meaningful connections with patients who needed her help.
“Especially in the beginning, we are going to be with one patient a day, and we really get to learn who they are, help them personally, and build that connection, which is something I really looked for,” Pasquarello said.
Another of the junior nursing students, Raven Premont, said that while she’s used stethoscopes before, she’s excited to use her new equipment because she’s “never really felt one of this quality.”
“I think it’s a really good symbol of getting us where we need to be,” Premont said. “I’m excited to go into the hospital.”
Ashley White and Stephanie Segura, who also received new stethoscopes on Monday, both agreed that receiving the new equipment, and wearing new scrubs, made their accomplishments sink in.
“It made everything feel more real, and getting it made me feel proud of myself,” Segura said. “And not even just myself, but my whole class… it’s like a reward, it’s getting me excited to see what the future holds.”
All of these PSU nursing students have different goals following graduation, for example, Premont said she wants to earn her master’s degree and get into midwifery. However, each of them agreed clinical education will provide them with the opportunity to try new things and learn about the different paths they can take in nursing.
“I’m hoping with clinical experience, I can begin to explore my options,” Segura said.
Barton Healthcare Staffing’s Donation
While these aspiring nurses are still in school, some of them could eventually take on the travel nursing life, moving from state to state to providing critical medical care to patients in short-staffed facilities.
By donating to PSU to secure these stethoscopes, BHS works to empower new nurses to blaze their own paths in their career, whether that’s working in a permanent position or as a travel clinician.
“Nurses are a key component of our nation’s healthcare system and these committed PSU students represent the future of this noble and selfless profession,” said Lina Gallotto, President of BHS. “Our donation ensures that these students will hit the ground running as they work to complete their education and become heroes in the lives of patients across the nation.”
If you’re a nursing student interested in travel nursing, or if you’re a current nurse looking for a change in your career, reach out to our dedicated recruiters to learn more or view our open positions and apply today.