BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. -- The West Virginia University School of Nursing Bridgeport Campus hosted a pledge ceremony on Feb. 20, officially welcoming the third cohort of 22 students into the study of nursing.
The nursing pledge is a formal commitment to demonstrate and respect the moral principles of the nursing profession. Specifically, the WVU School of Nursing Pledge speaks to integrity, compassion, ethics, patient advocacy and lifelong learning.
Located at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center, the Bridgeport Campus offers Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which is an 18-month accelerated pathway into nursing for current bachelor’s degree holders.
“The fact that I will come out with a bachelor’s and not an associate’s is huge for me,” said Samantha “Sam” Rogers, of Jane Lew. “I like the fact that once I finish this program, if I decide to further my education and become a nurse practitioner, I can jump in and do that.”
A former high school science teacher of eight years, Rogers decided to follow in her sister’s footsteps and pursue a career in nursing.
“I’m a single mom, and I’m just so excited for her to see that even though I am a non-traditional student that you can still do it,” Rogers said. “You don’t have to stop going to college at 20 or 25. You can keep going.”
Like Rogers, Ashleigh Petitto was also inspired by a family member who is a nurse. Her aunt, a labor and delivery nurse, was present during her delivery and helped with a life-saving intervention to remove the umbilical cord from around her neck.
“[The pledge ceremony] means I’m taking that next step in my career and really devoting my life to taking care of patients and becoming a nurse,” said Petitto, who graduated from Fairmont State with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.
The first cohort of Bridgeport ABSN students graduated in August 2024 and the class received a 100% first-time pass rate on their NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), which the graduates must pass to become licensed registered nurses.
“We are incredibly proud of the program we have built here in Bridgeport,” said Dr. Veronica Gallo, Bridgeport Campus Chair. “Our third cohort is our largest yet, and we are so excited to see them grow as nurses throughout their curriculum.”
The Bridgeport Class of 2026 includes: Jacob Bolyard, Katherine Capitan, Isabelle Cunanan, Jessica Cashdollar, Hannah Easton, Brooke Ferrell, Haley Fiber, Blake Fillinger, Maya Gharib, TJ Guire, Micah Harris, Lindsey Hawkins, McKeehan Justus, Trey Keplinger, Kilea Payne, Madeline Peck, Ashleigh Petitto, Samantha Rogers, Anne Russell, Meghan Slater, McKenzie Smith, and Kayla Vella.
A recording of the ceremony is available on YouTube.
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CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu