BENTONVILLE -- Jamin Snarr, emergency medical services program director, gave graduating nurses three challenges before they were given their pin signifying the completion of their coursework.

He challenged them to be the best at what they do, be kind to patients and learn their trade well as health care is constantly changing.

"You're education is not over," Snarr told the 27 graduates of NorthWest Arkansas Community College nursing program. "I hate to tell you, it's ongoing. You'll be lifelong learners."

The Nursing Pinning Ceremony for the 2014 class was held at the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School Saturday afternoon. Snarr was filling in for Mary Ross, dean of health professions, who was absent because of a recent death in the family, Snarr informed the audience.

Nursing is the foundation of health care and an awesome responsibility, Snarr said.

"We've all had nurses touch our lives," he said, pointing out everyone has either been taken care of by a nurse in a hospital or doctor's office.

Carla Boyd, assistant director of nursing education, explained the nursing pin was an award unto itself.

It is an outward and visible sign of the accomplishments in nursing school, she said.

Wearing it is a time-honored tradition that dates back to when the Maltese cross was worn during the crusades, Boyd said.

Today, each nursing school designs its own pin. The pin given to graduates Saturday bear the college name, degree awarded and the Lighting of the Lamp, a reference to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

"My charge to you today is to wear this pin as often as you can, display to the world your achievement, your accomplishment, be proud to communicate that you're a nurse and a graduate of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College associate degree of nursing program," Boyd told the graduates. "Congratulations."

After being pinned, graduates took part in the Lighting of the Lamp, a tradition honoring Nightingale who became known as the "Lady with the Lamp" as she used a lamp when making her rounds to check on wounded soldiers in the Crimean War, said Felicia Pendleton, director of nursing education.

Faculty members lit each graduate's lamp.

"The lamp will always shine brightly as a symbol of the care and devotion the nurses administer to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing," she said.