On May 10, Hangzhou Normal University held a capping and oath ceremony for over 270 nursing students in celebration of the 114th International Nurses Day. Gathered in front of the Nightingale statue, students pledged their lifelong commitment to the nursing profession, vowing to serve patients with compassion, patience and responsibility.

Alumni from across generations, including national role model nurse Guo Xiudi, joined the event to pass on the traditional nurse’s cap and a candle symbolizing the spirit of Nightingale. In her speech, Guo Xiudi encouraged students to pursue both professional excellence and humanistic care, underscoring the importance of empathy in modern healthcare.

Fifteen international students also took part, and were appointed as HZNU “Silk Road Health Ambassadors.” “We hope to serve as bridges between cultures and share what we’ve learned here with the world,” said students from Morocco and Germany.

With a legacy tracing back to 1917, HZNU’s nursing program is a nationally recognized “First-Class Major” and has produced many renowned professionals. The event celebrated the next generation of nurses committed to care, compassion, and global health.