TCC’s 59th Nursing Pinning Celebrates Future Healthcare Leaders
Tidewater Community College’s Beazley School of Nursing celebrated its 59th Spring Pinning Ceremony on May 9, recognizing the Class of 2025 for their hard work and commitment to the nursing profession. Held at the Portsmouth Student Center, the event honored 23 nursing students who are nearing completion of their Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ASN) degree and preparing to be registered nurses (RN).
The pinning ceremony, an honored tradition in the nursing field, symbolizes the transition from a nursing student to a future healthcare professional.
TCC President Dr. Marcia Conston welcomed the attendees, congratulating the cohort for their dedication to service and applauding their achievements so far.
Dr. Jenefer Snyder, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, emphasized the importance of the nursing profession:
“Today graduates, we celebrate you. Becoming a nurse is simply not a job, it is a calling. It demands sacrifice.”
Associate Professor of Nursing Charlita Warren, MSN, RN, spoke on the significance of the ceremony and what it means for the students,
“Today, we come together and celebrate in honor, recognizing a profound moment in the lives of each individual who have chosen a noble path.”
She highlighted that the nursing pin symbolizes the students’ commitment and perseverance in the nursing program and in their future work.
Nursing student Candance Elliot reflected on the historical roots of the nursing pin, sharing the legacy of Florence Nightingale in the 19th century and her impact on modern nursing. She noted how Nightingale started the pinning ceremony tradition in her educational nursing program in England.
“This practice evolved the tradition of pinning all new graduate nurses as a way to acknowledge the successful completion of the nursing program,” Elliot said.
The keynote address was delivered by Joanne Williams-Reed, DNP, RN-BC, CNS, who serves as the Director of Patient Care Services: Professional Practice, Education, Diabetes & Wound Care Services, at the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Drawing from nearly 45 years of experience, Williams-Reed commended the students to be proud of how far they have progressed.
“You made it through the years of hard work, late night studying, clinical rotations, and tests.”
Then, she encouraged students to remember how important this career path is, her message underscoring the value of compassion, resilience, and lifelong service.
Two outstanding awards were also presented: Community Service and Clinical Achievement.
Yoselin Maldonado received the Community Service Award which required an essay to be submitted that showed how community service influences her personal life and how the community benefits from that service.
Juan Lopez received the Clinical Achievement Award for performing above average in clinical settings consistently. William Bell was an honorable mention for this award.
Nursing professors Shannon Washington, MSN, RNC-NIC, and Evelyn Coutee, MSN, RN, presented the pins for the Portsmouth Campus Spring Cohort students:
- Andrea Aguilar Pineda
- William Bell
- Stacey Carter
- Meghan Cosby
- Alden Crespo
- Afolabi Dorcas
- Savannah Duffy
- Candace Elliott
- Jasmine Harris
- Kyleena Justice
- Juan Lopez
- Alicia Lutomski
- Yoselin Maldonado
- Iyonna Pugh
- Steven Reyes
- Hannah Schmidt
- Sarah Schulte
- Brittany Scott
- Dominique Spencer
- Nadia Tejada
- Kendall Webb
- Sharah Williams
- Shamyra Yancey
The event concluded with the students reciting the “Nightingale Pledge” before the benediction delivered by Associate Professor of Nursing, Shirley Greenway, MSN, RN. The ceremony marked a significant step forward as these students go into their professional journeys in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the region.
