By On Sept. 9, the Carroll College Nursing Program held its 26th annual Hand Blessing Ceremony in the All Saints Chapel.
This ceremony was designed to recognize the nursing students’ dedication to always provide comfort, kindness, respect, and spiritual support to all.
Originally called the White Coat Ceremony, it was created in 1993 by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a nonprofit that champions humanism in healthcare. Dr. Arnold P. Gold wanted to ensure future doctors and nurses took an oath to compassionate patient care early in their training, rather than at graduation.
“The Hand Blessing Ceremony was such a meaningful experience,” said junior nursing major Addy Litscher, who is from Spokane, Washington. “It made everything feel real—like this journey we’re starting is bigger than just classes and exams. Having our hands blessed by our professors reminded me of one of the main focuses for nursing: compassion and care.”
This year’s ceremony continued the tradition of gifting nursing students with a specially designed pin that was provided by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. This pin serves as a visual reminder of their focus on offering top-quality care with humanity at the heart of their work.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from the Director of Nursing, Dr. Lauren Swant. Swant has taught at Carroll since 2021.
Following the welcome, there was the opening prayer, followed by guest speaker Heather O’Hara, Vice President of the Montana Hospital Association. O’Hara is a Carroll College nursing alumnus from 1994.
Before the prospective students pinned themselves, Janet Johnson, assistant professor of nursing, spoke on keeping healthcare human.
“I will honor each individual under my care with the knowledge that they are body, mind, and spirit beings,” said senior nursing major Sophia Bourekis, from Spokane, Washington, as she led the nursing pledge.
To end the ceremony, Fr. Tyler Frohlich spoke of reflection on consecrating hands for healing, along with the blessing of the oil. Sophomore nursing major Christine Elliott, from Post Falls, Idaho, then led the closing prayer.
A reception was held with light refreshments and good conversation between professors, family, friends, and the future nurses from Carroll College.
