After studying tirelessly for her master's in nursing, Danielle Fox didn't get to enjoy the graduation ceremony because she had to work. But her colleagues at the hospital weren't going to let the day pass by without ensuring she had her special moment in the spotlight.
Rather than donning a gown and celebrating with her classmates, Fox, 28, offered to work at the Asheville, North Carolina, hospital because they were short-staffed. She told Newsweek that it "wasn't a difficult decision" at first, but when she learned that she was the 2024 class's graduating valedictorian, "it stung a little bit" not to be there.
When April 6 finally came, Fox, a labor and delivery charge nurse, was called over to the desk "for an emergency," but little did she know it was actually a celebration of her momentous achievement. Her colleagues swapped out the typical graduation attire for a hospital gown and bedpan, and Fox got to strut through the hospital hallway with everyone clapping and cheering.
"I was overwhelmed with emotions, as I've never felt worthy of this type of celebration, and I'm beyond blessed with the friends I'm surrounded by," she told Newsweek. "Our job isn't easy, but one thing we do is celebrate, support, care for, pray with, love and encourage each other.
"Honestly, I got to spend my graduation day doing what I love, delivering babies, with some of my sweetest friends. It was the best, most thoughtful experience ever," Fox said.
Following the impromptu graduation ceremony, Fox shared footage of the special occasion on her TikTok account (@danielle_fox23) and the video instantly went viral. Since she posted it on April 7, it has been viewed over 4 million times and gained over 385,700 likes.
The response to her video has been extraordinary for Fox to see. The moment she woke up after working six back-to-back shifts, she couldn't believe she had amassed so much attention online.
"The comments were so heartfelt, and I felt so much love from people I've never even met," she said.
"Some jobs require you to be more selfless than others, and while I hope to never lose myself within health care, I hope I never lose the passion I have to care for my patients and my team. After all, that is why I went into health care to begin with."
Over 3,100 comments are on the TikTok post already. Many social media users shared their dismay at Fox having to work on such a special occasion, but they praised her colleagues for making it memorable after she graduated at the top of her class.
One comment reads: "Congratulations and this is why nursing is amazing and coming together as a team to support her!"
Another TikToker wrote: "And this will be the best graduation to remember."
Another commenter responded: "This dedication you show to your career is exactly why you are valedictorian. You made the decision that felt best in your head and heart. Good for you."
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alyce Collins is a Newsweek Life and Trends reporter based in Birmingham, U.K. with a focus on trending topics that ... Read more
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