USCA Dedication of Hands to the Nursing Profession

Aiken, SC (09/29/2021) — On Monday, September 29, University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) first-semester nursing students participated in a time-honored tradition: the Dedication of Hands to the Nursing Profession.

Each semester, School of Nursing (SON) faculty members welcome students into the rigorous academic program with the ceremony that includes three symbolic steps: the washing of hands, the drying of hands, and the application of oil.

"It is our desire that today, you symbolically begin the process of connecting to the profession of nursing," said Dr. Thayer McGahee, dean of the school of nursing, during the ceremony. "We feel you are ready to work with patients under the guidance of your clinical faculty, so we have designed a special ceremony for the dedication of your hands to the nursing profession."

She explained that before going into healthcare facilities, the faculty want to make sure these students understand, are prepared, and are willing to take on the crucial task of providing nursing care for another human being.

"We take you through a ceremonial hand dedication as a way of bringing to you the realization of the importance of your hands as they perform the skilled tasks associated with nursing care and bring healing and comfort to your patients," McGahee told the students. "It is your hands, guided by your innermost spirit and your heart, combined with the new knowledge and theories you are learning, that will transform nursing tasks into nursing care. Not only must your hands be guided by your new nursing knowledge and theory, but they must also be guided by your spirit and your heart as you touch and care for your patients."

As the students' hands were dedicated, the following words were spoken to each student:

During the washing of hands, "May your hands provide fervent and skillful nursing care."

During the drying of hands, "May the spirit of compassion and gentleness guide your hands."

During the application of oil, "May your hands bring comfort and promote healing to all who come into your care."

First-semester nursing students who participated in the event were:

Alexander, Zachary

Aring, Samantha

Black, Jenna

Blanchard, Morgan

Buzzetti, Kaelyn

Canepa, Stephen

Cason, Travis

Clark III, Gary

Cole, Jensyn

Dinkins, Shamya

Frotan, Sossan

Granade III, DJ

Halter, Bethany

Hammett, Ashton

Harris-Robinson, Makayla

Hartfield, JT

Legare, Hayley

Lewis, Katherine

Liao, Bill

Long, Madison

Malcolm, Irvon

Mitchell, Jazmyn

Otero, Lorenzo

Pawlak, Robin

Peacock, Lindsey

Robertson, Jacob

Robinson, Di'Auna

Sargent, Sydney

Scott, Aysha

Scott, Reagan

Skinner, Kaleb

Terry, Morgan

Tronco, Sydney

Wood, Bronwyn

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