Beginning the journey of compassionate nursing care
Commitment to Compassionate Care is celebrated across School of Nursing campuses
Compassionate care is the foundation of nursing. The care consists of hallmarks and values that nurses are expected to embody.
Integrity, respect, empathy, collaboration and desire to help are a few examples.
Each year, OHSU School of Nursing campuses hold Commitment to Compassionate Care ceremonies to pledge an oath of providing quality care and service, while receiving a symbolic pin. This fall, the five campuses held events for learners and their families.
Portland campus, Tuesday, Sept. 30
Hesham Selim wants to touch people’s lives.
“My own experiences with health care showed me how much of an impact compassionate and knowledgeable nurses can have not just in providing medical care, but also in supporting patients and their families during vulnerable moments,” he said.
Hesham Selim, a first-year nursing student in the accelerated bachelor’s program, during a September nursing ceremony in Portland; a group of nursing students share the stage during a commitment ceremony; first-year nursing student, Kira Frever, is all smiles; Frever and her peers received a red pin symbolizing their entry into nursing and oath to uphold high-quality care and service.
Selim is a first-year nursing student who started his accelerated bachelor’s program this summer at the OHSU School of Nursing Portland campus.
He was one of 118 students from three different programs in attendance at a Commitment to Compassionate Care in Professional Nursing on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the OHSU Auditorium.
The annual events—occurring at the five campuses this fall—welcomes learners as they take their first steps into their nursing career.
Those in attendance included OHSU learners from the summer and fall bachelor’s programs, the accelerated bachelor’s and nurse anesthesia programs, as well as their family and friends.
“This ceremony symbolizes your entry into nursing and a reminder that to provide the best care, you must show humanism, compassion and empathy,” said Deb Messecar, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN, AGCNS-BC, CNE, senior associate dean for Academic Affairs, who opened the ceremony.
Compassionate care defined
Research shows that nurses are seen as honest and ethical clinical practitioners, said Claire McKinley Yoder, Ph.D., RN., nursing assistant professor, who cited survey results.
There are core values nurses adhere to that uphold those public perceptions, including:
- Sensitivity
- Awareness
- Non-judgment
- Positive attitude
- Empathy
- Selfless care
“Relationships are really the essence of nursing,” added McKinley Yoder. “When we can slow down … that is what makes people feel they’re being cared for.”
Selim resonates with the values of nursing. He’s also confident the training he’ll receive will help him expand his critical thinking skills during high-stress, complex situations.
“I’m especially motivated by the idea that each patient encounter is a chance to make someone feel seen, cared for and respected whether that’s in a hospital, clinic or community setting,” he said.
La Grande campus, Monday, Oct. 1
Thirty-one new nursing students were joined by faculty, staff, family, friends and alumni at the La Grande campus for a special ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Faculty spoke about the learners’ journey during a Commitment to Compassionate Care Ceremony. They are working toward earning a bachelor’s of science degree.
Likewise, students expressed their enthusiasm about the program, passion for helping others and supporting health care in rural communities.
“I knew I wanted to do something where I was helping people. My sister went through the program, and I saw all the opportunities and support she received. After high school, I worked at a local retirement community, and it solidified that nursing is what I am meant to do,” said Brianna Brown, a nursing student.
“I chose OHSU because I have heard so many great things about the quality of education, level of support and amazing instructors. I love living and learning in a rural community,” said Kielyn Thurston, a nursing student.
Klamath Falls campus, Friday, Oct. 3
The Klamath Falls campus celebrated their Commitment to Compassionate Care in Professional Nursing on Friday, Oct. 3, at the Oregon Institute of Technology’s Auditorium in its College Union building.
“I’m excited to help people and be there for them when no one else can be or isn’t,” said learner Madelynn Quesada, who was a part of the ceremony. “Lighting up a patient’s day would make my dreams come true honestly. I’m also excited to see the different avenues I can take as a nurse.”
Students were joined by their family and friends, as well as OHSU School of Nursing faculty and staff.
Supporting their communities and being an advocate for others are common themes held by learners in Klamath Falls.
“Growing up as a person of color, it was always nice seeing a health care provider who looked like me,” said Andrea Guijosa Mondragon, who took part in the event. “I lived in a predominantly white area, so I always felt discouraged from wanting to go to the doctors, because I felt like they didn’t get me as a person.”
Monmouth campus, Monday, Oct. 13
Monmouth campus nursing students from the Class of 2028 recited a professional nursing oath in front of 135 faculty, staff and guests. The 45 students celebrated their journey on Monday, Oct. 13, during a Monmouth Commitment to Compassionate Care in Professional Nursing ceremony. It was held at the Werner University Center at Western Oregon University.
The Monmouth Class of 2028 Commitment to Compassionate Care in Professional Nursing program with a red pin clipped to a white ribbon; Morgan Vail, a nursing student, recites a service oath with her classmates; Leslie Lopez holds a bouquet of flowers at the OHSU School of Nursing Monmouth Campus.
“What excites me the most about nursing is the wealth of knowledge I will learn and will add to throughout my career. Additionally, it allows me to take care of others, which is the biggest reward to me,” said Morgan Vail, a nursing student.
Angie Docherty, Nurs.D., M.P.H., RN, CNE, Monmouth associate dean, opened the event, and Nick Miehl, Ph.D., RN, assistant dean of simulation and academic technology, served as keynote speaker. Judy Borgen, M.S.N., RN, CNE, and Docherty led the pinning portion of the event.
Ashland campus, Monday, Oct. 13
The OHSU School of Nursing Ashland campus welcomed new students to their journey of becoming a nurse on Monday, Oct. 13.
“Today we are here to underscore the importance of the nursing role in health care, the student’s responsibility as a future healthcare professional and their commitment to nursing values and excellence,” said Heather Voss, Ph.D., associate dean of the Ashland campus.
They gathered for their Commitment to Compassionate Care in Professional Nursing Ceremony at the Stevenson Union at Southern Oregon University Campus.
Ashland campus has:
- 78 new students this year
- 55 who began this fall
- 31 who are working toward a three-year bachelor’s degree
- 24 who started in the summer to pursue an accelerated bachelor’s
- 146 who attend the Klamath Falls campus
Story by Rhonda Morin, APR. Photos by OHSU
