The Bluefield University School of Nursing held its semiannual Graduate Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
BU nursing faculty host this event near the end of the spring and winter semesters to present students in graduate-level nursing programs with the academic hoods that accompany their commencement regalia. The apricot hoods distinguish these graduates as students in the nursing discipline and will be worn behind their gowns at the commencement ceremony in May.
Graduates Kathy Boyd and Hannah Jones attended and were recognized for completing the Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration.
“We would like to congratulate these ladies. They have been an absolute joy to me,” said Dr. Jessica Sharp, Dean of the School of Nursing. “If one of them doesn’t call me, another one does almost daily, and that’s the way we want it to be. We want everybody to come to us if they have a problem.”
Dr. Sharp and Dr. Robert Wynn, Coordinator of Clinical Practicums, also acknowledged the achievements of students who were unable to attend. Amy Lane was recognized for completing the Family Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate program. Erin Frank and Karen Milstead were recognized for completing the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate program.
Bluefield University’s Master of Science in Nursing degree is available with Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Leadership/Education concentrations. Certificate programs in those three areas are also available to those who already hold a master’s degree. These hybrid programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and designed to equip graduates for meeting the medical needs of their communities.
“We enjoy what we do. We love educating people who get out into the community and take care of the rural poor,” Dr. Sharp said. “Our goal is to take care of the rural poor.”
Interested students can apply for Bluefield University’s graduate degree or certificate nursing programs and learn more about our accelerated RN-MSN program by visiting bluefield.edu.