As 140 new students prepare to begin their nursing education this fall at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University, they are entering a profession built on responsibility, trust, compassion and service.
For nursing students, the journey begins long before they care for their first patients
independently. It starts with learning what it means to accept the responsibility that comes with caring for others during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
That lesson was at the heart of a message shared earlier this year by Heidi Ferguson, M.S.N., RN, CEN (B.S.N. ’11), during the school’s spring White Coat Ceremony for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program. The event marked a pivotal milestone in the students’ journey from classroom to clinical phase.
“For something so seemingly light, the impact you will have on patients and their families will be immeasurable,” said Heidi. “You will come to accept that this coat is the heaviest one you’ll own.”
The statement wasn’t about the garment itself. It was about the responsibility, trust and privilege that come with caring for others during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
For Heidi, that understanding of nursing was shaped long before she became a nurse herself. She learned the lesson firsthand from her mother, Ruth Ferguson, a nurse practitioner and associate professor at Sentara College of Health Sciences. Throughout Ruth’s career, she dedicated herself to her patients and students, inspiring generations of healthcare professionals through her compassion, leadership and commitment to service.
Even after Heidi lost her mother in 2019, she continues to hear stories from former students and colleagues who share the profound impact Ruth had on their lives and careers.
Drawing on the lessons passed down by her mother and her own experience as a nurse, Heidi offered practical advice to the next generation of nurses: embrace every opportunity to learn, support and uplift other nurses, invest in your personal growth, prioritize rest, remain humble and respectful and always remember that no task is too small.
Most importantly, she reminded students to truly listen to their patients.
“Your patient is asking for help, and for some, this is an incredibly hard thing to do.”
For students beginning their nursing journeys, that advice offers a reminder that becoming a nurse is about more than mastering clinical skills. It is also about developing the compassion, humility and confidence to meet patients where they are.
That sense of purpose is already taking shape among students at Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University. For B.S.N. student Jennifer Delgado, the White Coat Ceremony also marked the beginning of a future dedicated to serving her community.
“I want to be that intermediate between the community and healthcare and just know that I can make a difference,” Jennifer said.
Having lived in Virginia for 15 years, Jennifer plans to remain in the region after graduation and serve the community she calls home.
“I’m nervous, but I’m just so hopeful for what’s to come in my future,” she said.
Delgado’s aspirations reflect the broader role Ellmer School of Nursing at ODU plays in preparing nurses to meet the needs of Virginia communities.
The school recently launched a spring admission cycle for its pre-licensure B.S.N. program, expanding enrollment capacity by more than 50% and creating additional pathways for aspiring nurses to enter the profession. The expansion reflects both the increasing demand for nurses across Virginia and the school’s commitment to preparing more students for careers in nursing.
“As the need for nurses continues to grow, expanding opportunities for students to enter the profession is more important than ever,” said Rene Love, Ph.D., D.N.P., dean of the Ellmer School of Nursing at ODU. “We are committed to preparing graduates who are ready not only to help meet that demand, but to bring compassion, excellence and a commitment to service to every patient they encounter.”
For the students beginning their nursing education later this month, the white coat represents the responsibility they are preparing to carry — one that will take shape through their education, clinical experiences and service to others.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program.
Watch the White Coat Ceremony for B.S.N. Class of August 2027.
Explore the White Coat Ceremony photo gallery.
Pictured at top: A White Coat Ceremony for the B.S.N. Class of August 2027 took place in April, celebrating students' transition to the clinical phase of the program.