The Capping, Pinning, & Candle Lighting Ceremony

The Capping, Pinning, & Candle Lighting Ceremony is one of the significant RITE of PASSAGE for us…a transition of sorts from the ordinary college student that we quite were while in Level I, to a sort of ‘professional nursing student’. This is as much as a psychological as well as physical transition marked by a LOT OF HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE. GOD has already given what we need to begin to create our own future. Start with this – start with what we have now. Notre Damean Nurses have a NOBLE MISSION of leading others to experience God’s Love”, an excerpt of the inspirational message during the 34th Capping, Pinning and Candlelighting Ceremonies held at the Notre Dame Cotabato Gymnasium last January 24, 2009.

257 female received and imposed their nursing caps and 81 males received badges. The caps and badges are the symbolic things of the nursing service. The CAP signifies the willingness of a person to serve his fellow countrymen and the badge symbolizes the God of Healing.

The ceremony started with an ecumenical service for both the Christian and Moslem and was followed by the introduction of the ceremony. Dean Merlyn K. Abo, RN, MAN presented the 338 candidates to Dr. Dolores S. Daguino, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Candlelighting was followed by the Imposition of Caps and Pinning of Badges.

In Prof. Tamse’s message, she thanked the parents for giving unconditional love to their children and giving them the best legacy – education.

After the Nightingale Pledge, the students sang their capping song entitled “Written in the Sand” arranged and conducted by Antonio V. Lim, Jr., RN. The ceremony ended with the Nurse’s Prayer.