Franklin University Welcomes Multi-State Nurse Practitioner Cohort During White Coat Ceremony Tradition

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Franklin University welcomed a new cohort of nurse practitioner students into advanced practice nursing through its White Coat Ceremony, a longstanding healthcare tradition that emphasizes compassionate patient care, professional responsibility, and the human connection at the center of healthcare.

The ceremony brought together students from seven states, reflecting the national reach of Franklin’s online nursing programs while also demonstrating how virtual learning environments can still foster meaningful academic traditions, professional identity formation, and personal connection.

This year’s cohort included students enrolled in Franklin’s:
•    8 students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program 
•    4 students in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program 
•    1 student in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program 

The participating students represented Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida.

Fact Box: Franklin University White Coat Ceremony May 7, 2026
Event: White Coat Ceremony
Institution: Franklin University
Programs Represented: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Adult Gerontology Primary      Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Total Participants: 13 students
States Represented: Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida
Ceremony Purpose: Recognition of students entering advanced clinical nursing practice
Student Storytelling Video: “Showing up for anyone in the world who needs some good loving care.”

During the ceremony, students were formally “cloaked” in the symbolic white coat before peers, faculty, family members, and supporters, recognizing their transition into advanced clinical practice and reaffirming the profession’s commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

While Franklin University’s nursing programs are designed for working professionals seeking flexible online education, University leaders emphasized that the student experience extends beyond coursework alone. Moments like the White Coat Ceremony help students connect personally to the profession they are entering, while also building relationships with faculty, engaging with peers across the country, and participating in traditions that reinforce the responsibility and humanity behind advanced practice nursing.

Originally established in 1993 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, the White Coat Ceremony is now recognized across healthcare education as an important rite of passage for students entering clinical professions.

Franklin’s ceremony reflects the University’s broader focus on supporting modern learners, many of whom are balancing careers, family responsibilities, and clinical practice while advancing their education online.

University faculty and leadership joined students throughout the ceremony, reinforcing Franklin’s commitment to accessible, workforce-aligned healthcare education that combines academic rigor with professional mentorship and support.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).