Still a graduand
There is a lot of ceremony for graduands at my University. Last week I went to the Colleges of Health, Medicine and Nursing Awards presentations. At the Awards presentations the nursing students were presented with our nursing school badges and we said the Nightingale Pledge.
Tonight I went to the Saturday evening Graduation Mass. All the graduands had to wear academic gowns but without hood and mortar board. It was a really good service. Although the University says they welcome those of all faiths and none I couldn't take communion because the Romans don't let those from "other Churches". I'm not going to hold any grudges against them because they don't even know how exclusive they are and you don't have to be Roman to be Catholic. Towards the end of the service all graduands were presented with a beautiful cross made of jarrah (the most beautiful hardwood in the world). The cross looks like the jarrah crosses that are placed in nearly every room of the University so it feels like I am taking away a piece of the University. I suspect the wood is from old floor boards that are replaced as the Uni buys and restores more old buildings in Fremantle.
Afterwards I had dinner with my parents in Freo at the Sail and Anchor. We had scrumptious pizzas (mine was smoked salmon) with beer brewed in the microbrewery on the premises (delicious pilsner).
I have my graduation ceremony on Sunday afternoon. I think getting my nursing license was more exciting than the prospect of graduating because the license makes me an RN and not the degree. It will be fun getting dressed up in academic regalia to receive our degrees. I am very pleased with my regalia: royal blue hood emerald green lining with white edge.
I can't believe the three years of my degree have passed so rapidly but there you go - I'm finished.
-- Lyall Furphy RN
Tonight I went to the Saturday evening Graduation Mass. All the graduands had to wear academic gowns but without hood and mortar board. It was a really good service. Although the University says they welcome those of all faiths and none I couldn't take communion because the Romans don't let those from "other Churches". I'm not going to hold any grudges against them because they don't even know how exclusive they are and you don't have to be Roman to be Catholic. Towards the end of the service all graduands were presented with a beautiful cross made of jarrah (the most beautiful hardwood in the world). The cross looks like the jarrah crosses that are placed in nearly every room of the University so it feels like I am taking away a piece of the University. I suspect the wood is from old floor boards that are replaced as the Uni buys and restores more old buildings in Fremantle.
Afterwards I had dinner with my parents in Freo at the Sail and Anchor. We had scrumptious pizzas (mine was smoked salmon) with beer brewed in the microbrewery on the premises (delicious pilsner).
I have my graduation ceremony on Sunday afternoon. I think getting my nursing license was more exciting than the prospect of graduating because the license makes me an RN and not the degree. It will be fun getting dressed up in academic regalia to receive our degrees. I am very pleased with my regalia: royal blue hood emerald green lining with white edge.
I can't believe the three years of my degree have passed so rapidly but there you go - I'm finished.
-- Lyall Furphy RN