Becoming a caregiver: The Mount celebrates its newest nurses

Photos by Lee Ferris

The day before the Mount’s 61st Annual Commencement, the college honored nearly 80 graduates of its prestigious Nursing program at a pinning ceremony.

“This pinning ceremony commemorates the dedication and determination exhibited by the graduates as they worked toward completing the academic requirements for a baccalaureate degree in Nursing,” noted Linda Kelly, assistant professor of Nursing, as she welcomed the Class of 2024 and their families. 

Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Interim President of the college, chaplain, and director of Campus Ministry, blessed the pins, which were presented to the graduates by chosen family members and friends. The Mount nursing pin displays the college seal as well as its motto, doce me veritatem, which translates as “teach me the truth.”

Nurses have had an incalculable impact on Fr. Fluet and his family, he explained. In an accident with a steam press in 1964, Fr. Fluet’s dad suffered second and third degree burns across his left arm. A friend of the family, a nurse in her 70s, vowed to aid the injured man. Every day for a month, she selflessly returned to the Fluet home, until Fr. Fluet’s father recovered.

“You are entering into a vocation of healing,” Fr. Fluet said. “I heal spiritually, and uplift. You will heal physically, but join me in uplifting…just like that elderly nurse did for my family.”

Lynette DeBellis, Nursing associate professor, chair of the School of Nursing, and Mount alumna, praised the students for their positive attitudes and commitment to their craft. 

“You are starting a career in one of the most essential and trusted healthcare professions,” she said. “I know you have the knowledge, the preparation, and the skills to succeed in anything you might want to achieve in nursing. We will be cheering you on.”

Riley Norwood of East Haven, Conn., president of the Mount’s Student Nurses’ Association, offered her reflections on the group’s path to becoming nurses: “The journey ahead is not solely defined by our profession, but our internal spark that drives us,” she said.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Ann Murray, instructor of Nursing at the Mount. Murray patterned her talk after the rhyming prose of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

“Oh, the scrubs they will wear, the stethoscopes too. All the things they will do, and all the lives they’ll renew,” she said. “With a spirit that’s caring and a heart that’s so kind, these nurses are one of a most special kind.” 

The graduates were full of praise for their families. Isabella Nicole Barile of Newburgh, N.Y., was pinned by her parents, Nick and Patty Barile. 

“To my loved ones, today as I receive this pin, I acknowledge all that it took to get here,” she said. “Your tremendous support has allowed me to recognize my strengths and purpose throughout this journey. Thank you for being my constant and for offering me guidance when I needed it most.”

DeBellis recognized several students for academic excellence. In addition to Norwood, who earned the School of Nursing Leadership Award, the award recipients were Alyssa Caswell of Fishkill, N.Y., who was given the General Excellence in Nursing Award; Kiersten Maslar of Monroe, Conn., who received the School of Nursing Clinical Excellence Award; Carly Green of Holbrook, N.Y., who got the Spirit of Nursing Award; Catherine Masayda of Watertown, Conn., who received the Perseverance Award; and Riley Antalek of Fishkill, N.Y., who received the Sigma Theta Tau Leadership Award.

To close out the ceremony, the proud graduates recited “A Nurse’s Prayer,” which speaks of dedicating one’s life to helping others.

Nurse practitioners honored

Photos by Lee Ferris

The previous week, nearly 30 students from the Mount’s Nurse Practitioner program were honored at the Spring 2024 semester white coat ceremony.

The graduates’ white coats were presented to them by their chosen family members, from spouses and children to parents and grandparents.  

The ceremony reflected the students’ transition to the professional nurse practitioner role. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide high quality healthcare services. They can diagnose, treat, and prescribe across a wide range of health problems. 

After a welcome speech by Marilyn Lashlee, associate professor of Nursing and School of Nursing Graduate Coordinator, and a blessing from Fr. Fluet, students and their families enjoyed a congratulatory message from Nancy Checchi, instructor of Nursing and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator.

“Each of you has a unique story to tell, a unique path to follow, and a unique impact to make on the world,” said Cheechi. “You have the power to make a huge difference in peoples’ lives and I know you will do just that.”

Graduate Roselle Little of Port Jervis, N.Y., was selected to discuss the group’s progression through the rigorous Mount program.

“It’s been a privilege watching all of you answer the question ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and then going out there,” said Little. “We’ve been tested and pushed to our limits in ways we never thought possible…Each experience, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.” 

After the graduates received their white coats, Little was recognized for excellence in her studies with the Sigma Award. Likewise, Ashley Laidlaw of Lindenhurst, N.Y., was honored with the Sr. Leona DeBoer Graduate Nursing Award, named after one of the Dominican Sisters who founded the Nursing major at the Mount. 

Fr. Fluet ended the ceremony with the Blessing of the Hands. As nurse practitioners, he noted, the graduates’ hands are their most important healing tool.