SANFORD - The Central Carolina Community College Associate Degree Nursing program recently held a White Coat Ceremony at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center in Sanford.

In 2014, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, initiators of the first White Coat Ceremony, partnered with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to recognize the science and compassion required of nursing excellence and to extend the White Coat Ceremony beyond physician medical programs to schools of nursing. Central Carolina is one of about 200 nursing programs in the country to hold this prestigious ceremony.

The students were cloaked in their first semester by first level nursing instructors Dixie Holden, Dr. Kathy Farley, and Consuela Blaizes. Mary Ann Gaster, second level nursing instructor, spoke on the significance of the "Humanism in Medicine" pin, which was a gift for each student from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Janet Karanja, MSN, FNP-BC, a former graduate of Central Carolina Community College, was motivational speaker for the event.

Barbara Jean Campbell, Nursing Program Director, had the welcome and closing remarks. The nursing instructors led the recitation of the Nurse's Pledge. Students affirmed their commitment to compassion for patients in front of their families and the public. Linda West, second level nursing instructor, had the opening prayer.

For more information on the Central Carolina Community College nursing program, visit the website www.cccc.edu/nursing. The next nursing information session will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.