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White Coat Ceremony

The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for first-year students in nursing that often takes place during the initial days of orientation. It serves to welcome students to nursing practice and elevate the value of humanism as the core of health care. It provides a powerful emphasis on compassion in combination with scientific excellence.

Photos from the Fall 2023 ceremony are now available.

View the alum from the event and download your photos.

White Coat Ceremony Photos

Event Program

Welcome

Carolyn Montoya, PhD, RN, PNP-PC, FAANP, FAAN

Professor and Interim Dean

Keynote Address

Aaron Skiles, DNP, FNP

Class of 2009, 2012 & 2018

Sandoval Regional Medical Center

History of the UNM College of Nursing

Mindy Tinkle, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN

Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education, Associate Professor

About Your Program

Sara Daykin, DNP, RN, CNEcl, CPEN, TCRN

Pre-Licensure BSN Director, Assistant Professor

Mitch Irvin, MSN, RN

Freshman Direct-Entry Program Director

Karin Ludi, DNP, RN

Director of Health Sciences Rio Rancho, Lecturer I

Sasha Poole, PhD, RN

ABSN Program Director

Presentation of White Coats

Mindy Tinkle, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN

Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education, Associate Professor

Mitch Irvin, MSN, RN

Freshman Direct-Entry Program Director

Karin Ludi, DNP, RN

Director of Health Sciences Rio Rancho, Lecturer I

Leading the Nursing Pledge

Sara Daykin, DNP, RN, CNEcl, CPEN, TCRN

Pre-Licensure BSN Director, Assistant Professor

Closing Comments

Sasha Poole, PhD, RN

Accelerated BSN Program Director and Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor

Nursing Directors & Level Coordinators

UNM College of Nursing Directors

Sara Daykin, DNP, RN, CNEcl, CPEN, TCRN

Lecturer II and Special Assistant to the Dean

Mitch Irvin, MSN, RN

Freshman Direct-Entry Program Director

Karin Ludi, DNP, RN

Director of Health Sciences Rio Rancho, Lecturer I

Sasha Poole, PhD, RN

ABSN Program Director

UNM College of Nursing Level Coordinators

April Tafoya, DNP, RN, NC-BC

Level 1 Coordinator

Donna Winn, MSN, RN

Level 2 Coordinator

Maggie Faber, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNE

Level 3 Coordinator

Allison Phillips, MSN, RN, PCCN

Level 4 Coordinator

LeeAnna Vargas, MSN, RN

Level 5 Coordinator

Katherine Grand, MSN-Ed, RN, CNEcl

ABSN Level Coordinator

Kathy Dolan-Cox, MSN, RN, CNE

HSRR Coordinator

Partner Schools Directors

Lucas Gonzales, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE

Interim Director of Nursing Education of Santa Fe Community College

Shawna Kemper, MSN, RN, CNE

Director of Nursing Program of San Juan College

Dawn Kittner, MSN, RN, CNE

Director of Nursing of UNM Taos Campus, NMHED Nursing Grant Coordinator

Rey Jonathan Lumibao, MSN, RN

Director of Nursing Program of UNM Gallup

Joseph R. Poole Jr., MSN, RN, CNE

Director of Nursing of UNM Valencia Campus

Diane Wesner, MSN, RN

Director of Nursing of Central New Mexico Community College

Nursing Pledge

As a Nurse, dedicated to providing the highest quality care and services, I solemnly pledge that I will:

Consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns;
Act in a compassionate and trustworthy manner in all aspects of my care;
Apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients;
Exercise sound professional judgment while abiding by legal and ethical requirements;
Accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence;
Promote, advocate for, and strive to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.

With this pledge, I accept the duties and responsibilities that embody the nursing profession. I take this oath voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.

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