SIUE’s School of Nursing Holds Annual White Coat Ceremony
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Nursing (SON) held its annual White Coat ceremony for 39 Nurse Anesthesiology practitioners on Jan. 13 in the Meridian Ballroom in Morris University Center. Members of this cohort, who graduate in 2028, have completed one year of didactic education and will begin their clinical rotations this semester. The annual White Coat Ceremony celebrates this transition.
“These 39 students were selected from 72 candidates who participated in a holistic interview process out of a competitive application pool of nearly 200. The cohort is rich in diversity and experience,” said Jenna Tebbenkamp, DNP, CRNA-APRN, assistant program director and assistant professor in SON’s Department of Nurse Anesthesiology. "The class is made up of military personnel, parents, first-generation college graduates, travelers, a podcast host, social volunteers, and many, many cat lovers!”
She added, “The group seems to have bonded with each other already. I could feel a sense of comradery that evening. We invite the families and support people of our students to celebrate this milestone and also to show appreciation for the support they give our students. The Nurse Anesthesiology program is rigorous, as it should be, but the students will need to rely heavily on the support of not just the faculty and administration, but their loved ones at home. We are certainly proud of our students and excited for their journey into the clinical arena!”
Photos by Howard Ash
