Instructions to Graduates

Graduates need to arrive by 3:30 p.m. Please check-in at the table located at the doors of Nursing Annex 155 when you arrive.

Guests will need a ticket for entry. Each graduate is permitted to bring four guests who will be seated in Nursing Annex 155; the four guests will display their golden ticket upon their arrival. Any additional guests are warmly welcome; however, they will be seated in the overflow space in Nursing Annex 161. Additional guests will display their black ticket upon their arrival to gain entry to the overflow space. The overflow space will show the livestream.

“What if I have a friend who is only bringing two guests, can I have their golden tickets for my guests?”

If you wish to trade tickets with a fellow graduate, you are welcome to do so.

“What if there is an available seat in Nursing Annex 155, can my extra guest sit in Nursing Annex 155?”

The overflow space in Nursing Annex 161 is next door to Nursing Annex 155. If there are extra, remaining seats available in Nursing Annex 155 close to the start of the ceremony, guests are welcome to occupy the available seats in Nursing Annex 155.

You will be seated alphabetically within your specialty/program as this is the order you will be called up.

If you are bringing minor age children, please make plans for your children to be seated with another adult in the audience seating. Minor age children will not be permitted to sit with you during the ceremony, as to not disrupt the graduate line-up order.

If you have a nurse family member who intends to pin you, please ensure that the family member makes themselves known at the check-in table upon their arrival. The nurse family member will be seated at the front of Nursing Annex 155. Only the nurse family member may be permitted to sit in the front designated seating. Therefore, minor age children and other guests should plan to sit elsewhere in the audience seating. If your nurse family member does not check in upon their arrival, you will be pinned by your program/academic director.

You should not wear academic regalia or honor cords. We recommend business attire for graduates and suggest not wearing any spaghetti straps, strapless shirts/dresses, or high-necked blouses as they could interfere with the placement of the pin.

You will be pinned by your program/academic director, unless you have arranged for a nurse family member to pin you.

The ceremony is expected to last for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Grad Images will take photographs during the ceremony that will be available for purchase.

The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please monitor this webpage for the livestream link.

Graduates or guests with mobility needs should find a member of VUSN staff to escort them to the accessible seating area.

Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the VUSN atrium. There will be a VUSN photo banner available for photography opportunities.

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Feylyn Lewis.