Pinning ceremony sends nursing students into the workforce

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) -Before entering the field, nursing students across the country go through a pinning ceremony after finishing their schooling.

Similar to a graduation ceremony, the tradition is meant to honor the students and their work by receiving a pin from their loved ones.

Rasmussen University held their pinning ceremony Thursday, and honored 27 nursing students who will soon begin their careers in a field with a high demand for workers.

“I do know a couple of our students have celebrated already that they have some job offers that they have accepted, which is just heartwarming. It really brings a lot of excitement during this time Some are still applying, some wanted to wait until they finished school before looking at where they wanted to go for their next steps,” said Dr. Erin Kleve, Rasmussen’s Dean of Nursing.

Of the 27 students, nearly half are men, an unusual ratio in a field where women make up around 90-percent of the workforce.

One of those men is Colin Kelley, who is on his third career path, spending more than a decade in the Marines before becoming a criminal investigator.

He chose to pursue healthcare after working as a security officer at the Mayo Clinic.

“It’s an amazing calling,” Kelley said. “I’ve worked with so many amazing professional nurses throughout my career and my lifetime that it felt almost a responsibility for me to be able to give back.”

Kelley takes pride in his new role, saying that he hopes that his experiences and background will help give patients a greater care than they could from anyone else.

“There are unique experiences and a different perspective and viewpoint being a man that we can bring to the field to help people out. I mean just because 90-percent of nurses are women doesn’t mean 90-percent of patients are women,” said Kelley.

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