Hunt School of Nursing welcomes 87 students with white coat ceremony

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Monday, more than 80 nursing students participated in the traditional white coat ceremony at Texas Tech Health El Paso. The Hunt School of Nursing welcomed its newest cohort expected to graduate in December 2027.

The white coat ceremony welcomes medical students. TTHEP said 87 students are entering a 16-month accelerated nursing program.

Each student received a white coat embroidered with the Hunt School of Nursing seal.

One white coat recipient told ABC-7 her family inspired her to study nursing.

"My sister actually got diagnosed with juvenile arthritis when she was little, and we've been in a hospital ever since," said Naomi Serrano. "I want to be a part of that change for others."

Serrano also said she wants to be a nurse that patients can trust and confide in.

TTHEP said the Hunt School of Nursing is helping grow a workforce to combat an ongoing nursing shortage and health challenges in the region. The vast majority of Hunt School of Nursing graduates stay in the Borderland to practice, TTHEP said.

The school said 1,800 nurses have graduated from THHEP.