Over 100 prospective nurses from the Winona and Rochester campuses participated in the Oath of Honor ceremony on Sept. 13.

The Oath of Honor, taken by 107 nursing students, had them vow to practice accountability, hard work and passion for their profession.

Sandy Herron, the department chair for nursing and health sciences, expressed  what the ceremony means to her.

“It gives us an opportunity to impart what this profession means to us not just as nurses but to the public as well,” Herron said.

Herron also shared her favorite part about working with the nursing students.

“It’s the chance to teach them the beauty of nursing and the ability to have compassion and empathy for all individuals,” Herron said.

Julie Anderson, dean of nursing and health sciences, spoke on the nursing program.

“Our students have an eagerness to learn. It’s amazing to see understanding dawn on them as they solve complex problems by working with our resources, our technology, and our other students,” Anderson said.

For students like Lauren Veidel, a term one  nursing student, this eagerness for a life of caretaking came at an early age with schoolyard games of house and hospital. From those games stemmed the motivation for Veidel to work in pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

“Our students and faculty make this program recognized nationally. Employers are also keen to look for WSU grads because they see them functioning at high success levels,” Anderson said.

Kaylee Bayer, a term one nursing student, saw this ceremony as the first step to achieving her goals of working in the operating room.

“My hope for my nursing career is to make my patients’ days better and alleviate stress,” Bayer said.

Rachel Huebert entered the nursing program with strong role models, including her mom and Winona State professors.

“Professors like Ted Wilson, who encourage the idea that hard work pays off has helped me continue the program,” Huebert said.

From Huebert’s perspective, the ceremony is a chance to celebrate.

“Being surrounded by the other nursing students and our loved ones was really fulfilling, and it’s starting to feel real,” Huebert said.

Hunter Lohr, also a term one nursing student, said participating in the ceremony helped affirm her choice and reinstate that standard of care she should hold herself to.

Lohr hopes that gaining experience in Wisconsin and Minnesota hospitals will aid her in her career goal of nursing overseas or on reservations.

Anderson closed out the ceremony with a strong piece of wisdom for new nursing students.

“Although the program is rigorous and comprehensive, nurses are capable of changing lives, and you’re all one step closer to that now.” Anderson said.