Running Into the Fire

As COVID rages, two cohorts of new nurses join the fight

The reinforcements have arrived.

Nearly 130 new nurses graduated from the UR School of Nursing in the second half of 2021, providing a much-needed boost to an exhausted and beleaguered workforce. The new graduates stand apart as members of the first two cohorts to pursue nursing careers knowing they would be jumping headlong into the fight against COVID-19. “We were diverse in every way. The only thing we had in common was a passion to become a nurse at a time when we saw nurses on TV breaking down in tears from the stress of COVID, staffing shortages, and an overwhelmed health care system,” said Jim Mullin, who was chosen to be the class speaker for the graduating cohort of 68 Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for Non-Nurses (ABPNN) students who began their 11-month course of study in January 2021. “While many were fleeing from the fire, we were running to it.”

A grandfather and former information technology specialist for 32 years, Mullin is a stark example of the diverse group of recruits from a wide array of educational, economic, and geographic backgrounds united by a desire to help others. “We had many options for obtaining our goal. The others were cheaper, easier, less stressful. But we decided to pursue this one, which I think speaks to the intellect, character and dedication of those 68 strangers who came

together less than a year ago.” The school did not admit a cohort of new ABPNN students in May of 2020 due to the pandemic, so its first post-COVID cohort began in September 2020 and graduated in August 2021. As they braced to enter the nursing workforce, student speaker Jill "While many Richards urged her cohorts to rememwere fleeing ber what they’ve been taught to from the fire, remain focused on the needs of their we were patients. “Being a nurse is running to it." a journey of constant learning and growing,” she said. “In addition to knowing and understanding the science of nursing, we must remember to carry with us and continually develop our compassion and empathy. Beyond that, we must be advocates that elicit truth and truly see through the eyes of our patients. …We must be fair, we must be just, we must be kind, and we must always use our compassion.”

August 2021 Pinning Ceremony:  Jill Richards, chosen by her peers in the cohort, delivered student remarks.  Samaria McClary poses with her pinner, Connie Leary, a Class of 1959 graduate.  Following the pinning ceremony, graduates, families, and friends gathered outside the Larry and Cindy Bloch Alumni and Advancement Center for a reception.

December 2021 Pinning Ceremony:  Members of the graduating December cohort listen intently to opening remarks from Dean Kathy Rideout.  Jim Mullin, a grandfather and former IT specialist, gave a heartwarming speech as student class speaker.  Justin Gumina celebrates with instructor Jennifer Zugnoni after the ceremony.  Alicia Hill poses with her son after receiving her pin and diploma.