This petition holds an emotional significance for me. My mother, who has devoted two decades of her life to nursing, has been my guiding light towards this profession. It was my dream and hers that she pins me at my nursing school graduation ceremony, symbolizing the passing of the torch and passion for care. There are numerous others in my class who share this sentiment, each with their own stories and inspirations that led them to nursing.

This petition is to request that Arizona College of Nursing nursing schools allow graduating students to pick their one special registered nurse to pin them at the graduation ceremony. This is not just to honor the tradition, but to acknowledge the role these deserving individuals have played in our journey. Unfortunately, they just changed their protocol and are now saying that we are not allowed this personal touch, robbing us and our cherished ones of this moment.

Nursing is an empathetic profession, employing over 2.96 million nurses in the United States (U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). A big part of these numbers is constituted by aspiring nurses like us, whose journey into this profession is often inspired by some figure close to them. The protocol should reflect this reality, allowing us to fully embrace this milestone with those who've led us to it.

Let's not deny our esteemed lifetime mentors, our inspirations, and our loved ones of this deeply symbolic gesture. Changes in protocols such as these may seem minor on the surface but hold immense emotional significance. Let's appeal to our institutions to understand and honor this. Sign the petition now, and help us make our graduation ceremony as beautiful and personal as our journey to nursing.