Last Updated on August 25, 2019 by cassnetwork
KOKOMO, Ind. – Thirteen prospective primary health care providers received the symbol of their future careers at Indiana University Kokomo’s annual White Coat ceremony.
Hosted by School of Nursing faculty, the ceremony is a time-honored tradition for family nurse practitioner (F.N.P.) students, to declare their commitment to excellence in patient care and adherence to the values of the profession.
“The white lab coat is worn when the nurse practitioner, similar to the physician, works with patients, as a symbol of professional practice,” said Dean Susan Hendricks. “When the nurse practitioner wears the white coat, he or she puts on the attitudes, values, and professionalism associated with the role.”
The students began the program in January, and earned the white coat by completing two of the seven semesters.
F.N.P.s are registered nurses who have completed specialized advanced graduate education, passed national board examinations, and are licensed to manage a broad range of health problems. They do physical exams, order and interpret results from blood tests and X-rays, diagnose and treat illnesses, and write prescriptions. They use a patient and family-centered approach to health care, and emphasize health promotion, disease prevention, patient education, symptom control, and care coordination.
IU Kokomo’s F.N.P. program began in January 2017, funded by a grant from Community Howard Regional Health. A unique feature of the program is that it provides clinical practicum placements with area health care systems and medical practitioners for its students to complete their required 600 hours, rather than requiring them to find their own.
Students honored are listed by hometown. They include:
Cicero: Jayme Scherer
Fishers: Kristina Roberson, Caroline (Ema) Toke
Kokomo: Raymond Candelaria, Denese Davis, Rachel Irwin Leigha Murphy, Alisha Perryman, Nancy Winterbottom
Logansport: Cheryl Shively
Peru: Jocelyn Azbell
Valparaiso: Mildred Mukorombindo
West Lafayette: Ashley O’Shields
Indiana University Kokomo celebrates 75 years as north central Indiana’s choice for higher education.