National University nursing students are carrying on the tradition of the pinning ceremony, a recognition of newly-graduated nurses, in advance of the University’s June 17 Commencement ceremonies. The event features keynote speaker, G. Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, whose nursing career spans over 21 years in the areas of public policy, advocacy, teaching, and health careers development with an emphasis on cultural diversity issues.
The event, being held at the San Diego Marriott Marquis June 16, honors 225 nursing graduates from the University’s Department of Nursing. Pinning ceremonies have a historic tradition that some say go back to the Crusades or the 1860s in connection with nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale. Participating National University students will be “pinned” by faculty members and then will recite The Florence Nightingale Pledge in unison.
Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the School of Nursing, the event’s Keynote Speaker Dr. Alexander has served on the AHA’s Workforce Commission, the board of The American Organization of Nurse Executives, The National Quality Forum Nursing Care Performance Measures’ Steering Committee, Chairperson of the AONE Diversity Council, and as a member of the AHA’s Leadership Circle of Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. In 2013, the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) awarded her honorary membership at the opening ceremony of its annual convention, held in Charlotte, NC. The distinction is the highest honor awarded by NSNA and is bestowed on individuals “who have rendered distinguished service or valuable assistance to NSNA.” Dr. Alexander serves in a variety of leadership roles in multiple distinguished organizations in addition to the NSNA Foundation, including the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Professional Examination Service, and the Board of Governors for the National League for Nursing.