By Megan Mann, SCVNews.com

College of the Canyons honored its newest graduating class of registered nurses Wednesday during a traditional pinning ceremony at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.

The pinning ceremony serves as a symbolic welcoming for all those entering the nursing profession.

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Each of the 62 graduates was presented with a nursing pin before they recited the Nightingale Pledge, a promise to care for the sick.

“This event represents the culmination of a nursing student’s hard work and dedication, as well as the beginning of a new career in this caring profession,” said Diane Morey, director of the COC nursing program. “We are proud to have the opportunity to honor our graduating RNs in the presence of their family, friends and peers.”

Since 2000 the College of the Canyons nursing program has worked diligently to address the statewide nursing shortage — experiencing significant growth in the process.

Each year a minimum of 100 new students are admitted to the program. Currently there are 257 nursing students enrolled at College of the Canyons, with an additional 28 students expected to enter the program this fall.