University of Mobile Family Nurse Practitioner Students Celebrate Success with White Coat Ceremony

MOBILE, Ala. - Nineteen aspiring Family Nurse Practitioners in the University of Mobile School of Nursing recently donned their white coats, marking a pivotal step in their journey toward advanced practice. In a powerful moment unique to the Christian university, each student took a pledge that set them apart, affirming their commitment not only to excellence in patient care but also to a calling shaped by faith and compassion.

"I will endeavor to be a good steward of my knowledge and skills and of all those resources granted to me by God, understanding that my call to this vocation is for the glory of His Kingdom," they pledged.

As they recited the Advanced Practice Nurse Pledge, these future practitioners affirmed a commitment to lifelong learning, community leadership and person-centered health care.

A Calling that Honors God

Dr. Jessica Garner, graduate dean of the School of Nursing in the university's Celia Wallace College of Health Professions, said the original pledge was written two years ago by faculty.

"Our goal in creating this pledge was to instill a sense of purpose and responsibility that goes beyond clinical skill," Garner said. "We want our students to see their role as advanced practice nurses as a calling - one rooted in compassion, integrity and a commitment to serve others with humility.

"This pledge reflects the values we hold dear at UM, encouraging our students to approach each patient with empathy and to view their vocation as a way to honor God's work through them."

White Coat Recipients for 2024

The White Coat Ceremony, held Oct. 25 at the Lonnie and Lynne Burnett Event Center, marks the students' transition to the next portion of their training, which will include clinical rotations. Students will complete more than 600 clinical hours and receive additional course training necessary to assume the Family Nurse Practitioner role.

The ceremony featured remarks from UM President Charles Smith and Campus Pastor Jared Baria, with a musical presentation from the UM ensemble Sofree. Dr. Melinda McGaughy, associate professor of nursing, joined Garner in delivering additional remarks and presenting the white coats.

White Coat recipients are: Chelsey Alwell, Alexandra Audie, Allison Cole, Treasure Fluker, Vantrell Fox, Bailey Garriga, Ashley Hall, Courtney Hall, Ashley Hardee, Aaron Haycraft, Jennifer Huynh, Jeri Jordan, Sonia Pierce, Michaela Reynolds, Madison Robinson, Lashanda Rudolf, Peyton Scott Jernigan, Jacinta Whitt and Dorothy Zimmer.

Accelerated Online Program

The MSN-FNP program at the University of Mobile is a faith-based Family Nurse Practitioner program that prepares nurses at the master's level as advanced practice nurses. The accelerated online program offers nurses a fast track to becoming Family Nurse Practitioners with a program that can be completed in just four semesters, or students may choose to attend part-time for seven semesters. UM's program includes three on-campus intensives, including orientation and one intensive each fall semester.

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited educational institution. A minimum of one year of clinical experience is preferred for applicants. First priority deadline for applications for fall semester 2025 is April 1, 2025. For information on the University of Mobile Family Nurse Practitioner Program or other programs in the Celia Wallace College of Health Professions, visit umobile.edu/um-info.

University of Mobile Advanced Practice Nurse Pledge

The University of Mobile's Advanced Practice Nurse Pledge follows:

I publicly acknowledge and accept the privileges and responsibilities given to me today as an advanced practice nurse in training and dedicate myself to this pledge:

I will respect the scientific work of those practitioners, scientists, and researchers in whose steps I walk, and I will gladly share knowledge with others.

I will recognize my responsibility as a leader and advocate in my community to support and participate in actions to improve high-quality, person-centered health care for all.

I will respect the autonomy, privacy, diversity, culture, and past experiences of my patients, and serve with empathy and kindness.

Knowing my own limitations and those of medicine, I commit myself to a lifelong journey of learning to cure, relieve, and comfort with humility and compassion.

I will endeavor to be a good steward of my knowledge and skills and of all those resources granted to me by God, understanding that my call to this vocation is for the glory of His Kingdom.

I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of "Higher Education for a Higher Purpose," founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu/um-info, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

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