Edison State Honors Nursing Students With Pinning Ceremony

Edison State Community College honored recent nursing graduates on Thursday, December 11, 2025, with a pinning ceremony held in a gymnasium filled with family and friends. Twenty-eight students received their Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing. The College also recognized the first graduates of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which included eight students.

The pinning ceremony is a time-honored tradition in which the College presents graduate nurses to family and friends as a professional about to practice nursing. Faculty members who have worked with students throughout their studies have the honor of pinning the graduates. Each school has a unique pin, which serves as a symbol of the successful completion of a rigorous curriculum that prepares graduates to administer to the sick and injured and to promote health through the practice of nursing.

Guest speaker Tiffany Labig began her nursing career in the fast-paced environment of the emergency department after graduating from Edison State. During those years, she earned the prestigious DAISY Award in recognition of her compassion, clinical excellence, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. Labig now serves as the Chief Experience Officer for EverHeart Hospice, where she leads strategic initiatives that elevate the care experience for pediatric and adult patients facing life-limiting illnesses.

“Each of you tonight has your own story—the sacrifices, the late nights, the early mornings, the moments of doubt. But still, you showed up. And that’s why you’re here today—as graduates,” Labig said. “As you step out of the building and into the next chapter of your lives, remember this: nursing is more than a career. It’s a calling. It’s the small moments—the hand you hold, the gentle words you offer, or the reassurance in a patient’s darkest hour—that define you as a nurse.”

“You have proven that you are strong, resilient, and capable,” she added. “And now, you are ready. Ready to make a difference in ways that textbooks cannot teach. Ready to bring compassion, courage, and humanity into every room you enter. Step forward with confidence. The world will be brighter, stronger, and more hopeful from the care and dedication you bring. Congratulations, Class of 2025. You did it!”

Following the successful completion of the nursing program, graduates will prepare to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses.

Edison State’s nursing program has maintained full accreditation and approval throughout its history. In 2023, the Ohio Board of Nursing granted Edison State’s Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing a full five-year approval. In 2019, the program earned an eight-year continued accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the highest level a program can receive.

The College received approval from the Higher Learning Commission in 2024 to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, allowing registered nurses to pursue further education at Edison State. This pinning ceremony honored the first graduates of that degree program.

Jill Bobb, Dean of Health Sciences, addressed graduates. “Tonight, we are not only celebrating individual achievement; we are witnessing the beginning of a new tradition. This ceremony represents dedication, resilience, and the deep calling each of our graduates has answered: the call to lead, to advocate, to elevate the profession of nursing, and to care for others at the highest level.”

She continued, “We gather to celebrate a remarkable group of nurses who made a bold decision to keep growing. You showed resilience, discipline, and a determination that defines the absolute best of our profession. You have learned to examine systems, advocate for equity, apply evidence-based practice, and use your voice in ways that influence not just patients, but policies, teams, and entire organizations.”

“Congratulations to the inaugural RN-BSN Class of 2025,” Bobb said. “We are incredibly proud of you. Continue to lead with excellence, advocate with courage, and care with heart.”

Edison State’s Registered Nursing program will accept applications until January 31, 2026, for the fall 2026 semester. Students can apply for the RN-BSN Completion program from February 15 to July 31, 2026, for the fall 2026 semester. Learn more about Edison State’s nursing programs at www.edisonohio.edu/health.