On Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, more than 80 traditional program nursing students earned their white coats during the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences White Coat Ceremony.
This “rite of passage” ceremony signifies the students’ transition to clinical education and real-world experience working with patients in clinics, hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation facilities and other home health or in-patient care settings.
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation established the ceremony in 1993 at Columbia University. Originally, the ceremony honored doctors beginning their patient care and practice. Now, the ceremony is used to recognize the patient care milestone in a nurses’ academic journey, while also highlighting the importance of humanism in working as a health care professional.
The oath the students recite pledges their ethical and compassionate commitment to their nursing practice.
“We are so proud of Johnson Beth-El’s students,” shared Chad Sekutera, traditional option coordinator for the Johnson Beth-El bachelor of science in nursing program, “The students exemplify excellence and compassion in all patient care settings. Their excellence knows no bounds, from the classroom and Simulation Learning Center exercises to real-world work and scenarios, they excel.”
About the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences
The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences has trained and educated the region’s health professionals and human performance professionals for over 118 years, and in 2022, celebrated 25 years with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS).
At Johnson Beth-El, students meet the needs of a rapidly changing health care landscape by providing innovative, nationally accredited, and ranked programs.
Johnson Beth-El’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Clinical Simulation Learning Center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is the first Future Education Model (FEM) registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) program in Colorado and accredited by ACEND. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) became the first graduate athletic training program in Colorado when it was awarded CAATE accreditation in Spring 2020.
Our traditional Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program is ranked nationally by US News and World Report. The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences ranks #67 out of 681 national nursing programs. The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences is consistently ranked as a US News and World Report’s Top online Master’s in Nursing program for veterans. In 2022, we ranked #1 in the state of Colorado for veterans. Learn more about the Johnson Beth-El at johnsonbethel.uccs.edu.