On Thursday April 24, 131 BYU College of Nursing students officially completed their degrees and were celebrated at graduation. The event, held in the Joseph Smith Building on campus, was a well-earned time of joy and commemoration for the hardworking grads.
The graduation was divided into two sessions and recognized 122 undergrad students from Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 semesters. An additional nine graduate students received their Master’s degrees from BYU College of Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program.
Before the presentation of the diplomas, several students shared inspiring messages through speeches as well as musical performances.
One student, Ella McKee, performed a touching piece called “I’ll Hold Your Hand.” She wrote the melody and lyrics herself, capturing the tender feelings of a nurse who watches over an aging patient. Jessica Allen later performed a stunning rendition of Vienna by Billy Joel.
There were also excellent speeches given by baccalaureate graduates Otavio Tobias and Gloria Arredondo Chávez, as well as Master’s graduate Eric Lang. Each had a unique perspective on nursing and on life, and talked about their experiences in the context of healing others and finding their own healing.
Beaming as widely as the students were the numerous faculty that taught them! A brief video featured several professors giving advice to the graduating cohorts. After the ceremony, the faculty had amazing things to say about their students:
- “I’ve noticed their willingness to learn and their openness to trying things that they might be really scared about.”
- “They’re very well-rounded and have developed talents…they strive to become [better].”
- “[These nurses] are coming into practice at a unique time, and they’ve been uniquely prepared.”
- “[The FNP students] have been really close. They love each other, they help each other…”
One unique tradition in BYU College of Nursing is the “pinning ceremony.” Each graduate had previously been given a small pin featuring symbols of BYU and the College of Nursing, and all watched as students’ loved ones gave them these pins in prerecorded videos. It was a heartfelt moment showcasing the legacy of the college.
The sessions concluded with remarks from Dean Jane Lassetter, who encouraged students to “think back on why they became nurses.” She then referenced counsel from President Russel M. Nelson, stating that “education is the difference between being able to help others and wishing you could.”
The Dean said that as registered nurses, the graduates’ opportunities to serve others would expand dramatically. She then closed her remarks by inviting them to “embrace the sacred responsibility [to serve] with humility, reverence, and resolve.”
Congratulations to the graduates, and may they go forth to serve others with the Healer’s art!
SHINING STATS
- The grads come from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and 20 U.S. states
- Collectively, they speak more than 8 languages, including Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese
- 50 have served missions
- 51 are married, 4 are currently engaged
- 18 are parents
- Have been involved in dance, orchestra, Model UN, lacrosse, swim, BYU Marching Band, and other activities across campus
- Have participated in multiple clubs within the nursing program, such as Wilderness Medicine and Student Nurses Association
