Sixteen Mitchell College nursing students recently commemorated a milestone in their journey to earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing: receiving their white coats.

The White Coat Ceremony in a BSN program is a formal rite of passage that marks a student’s transition from general classroom studies into clinical training and hands-on patient care. It signifies a student’s entry into the healthcare community and emphasizes a deep commitment to humanism, empathy, and evidence-based practice.

The recent White Coat Ceremony at Mitchell College is the first for its nursing program, introduced in 2025.

Connecticut Nurses Honor Guard Participates in Ceremony

At the White Coat Ceremony, the student nurses were also honored by the Connecticut Nurses Honor Guard, who welcomed the new class into the nursing community, giving each student a rose. This volunteer coalition of active and retired nurses typically performs ceremonial services at funeral and memorial services, recognizing an individual’s lifelong dedication to the healing arts. Their presence at the White Coat Ceremony served as a powerful bridge between the past and future of the profession, symbolizing a continuum of care and preserving professional heritage and values.

Mitchell’s first cohort of student nurses begins their first clinical placement at Bride Brook Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Niantic, Conn. Placements at other local partners, including Yale New Haven Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn., Mitchell’s lead clinical partner, will follow over the next six semesters.

Explore Mitchell College Nursing

Learn more about the Mitchell College Nursing Program by visiting Nursing – Mitchell College.