Bloomfield College Welcomes 72 New Nursing Students at Convocation

 

The Ceremony, a signature event for Bloomfield College, serves as an official welcome to the College for nursing students and faculty. The Van Fossan Theatre was packed with both new and returning nursing students, as well as alumni.

 

Nursing Chair, Neddie Serra, EdD, CNE, MSN, RN, delivered the opening remarks to the nursing classes.

 

President of the Frances M. McLaughlin Alumni Association, Helene McKnight ’84, awarded nursing senior, Samantha Jimenez, and junior, Hanna Solano with the Alumni Merit Scholarship for having the highest grade point averages. 

Assistant Professor, Jacquelyn McKnight, RN, BSN, CSN, recognized certain juniors and seniors with awards for their student service.

 

Additionally, the 72 newest nursing students were addressed by the Bloomfield College Nursing Students Association.

 

Regina Villagran (President), Danielle DeStefano (Vice President), Brianna Bravo (Treasurer), and Deborah Persaud (Secretary) shared advice and tips with incoming first-year students and offered words of encouragement for their classmates to approach upcoming academic challenges with focus, determination, and camaraderie.

 

Following their sentiments, they played a slideshow set to the music. Cheers erupted throughout the theater as the familiar, smiling faces of their peers and professors appeared on the screen.

 

Students continued to listen intently as special guest speaker and nursing alumna, Amita Patel ’10, MSN, NP-C, OCN, took the stage. Patel is an Oncology Nurse.

 

“Be the modern nurse who helps the patients keep fighting,” said Patel. “We are more than ‘just nurses.’ We are a vital part of healthcare.”