The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) on Tuesday, inducted 19 pioneer nursing graduates of the Wellspring University, Benin, Edo State into the profession.
The oath was administered by the Chief Executive Officer/Registrar of the Council, Ndagi Alhassan, represented by a member of the department of Planning, Research and Statistics of the NMCN, Ali Gorini, said
Delivering his address At the first oath-taking/induction at the university campus in Benin, Gorini, said with the ceremony, the graduands have become nurses who must strive for excellence in their chosen profession.
He admonished the new nurses to adhere to the rules of professional conduct which are a set of ethical guidelines binding on every nurse in Nigeria.
Gorini urged them to learn from their senior colleagues and ensure they minimise the incidents of error, as their patients rely on them for quality treatment.
He said: ‘Nursing is a profession that is tremendously demanding compassionate, kindness and attentiveness while dealing with patients.
‘As graduate nurse, you must be able to perform nursing skills in various healthcare settings, therapeutically assisting individuals, families, communities and diverse backgrounds.
‘In doing this, you must understand the psychosocial and physical factors in alleviation of offering, promotion, maintaining and restoration of health and be able to function independently and collaborate with other healthcare professionals in the course of our practice in any healthcare setting.
In his message to the inductees, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Isaac Ajayi, described the inductees as the trailblazer and the first fruit of the nursing programme at Wellspring University.
He said that nursing is not merely a career, but a calling to serve humanity with compassion, diligence and integrity.
‘Go forth and make your mark in hospitals, clinics and communities across the nation and beyond. Uphold the ethics of your profession and continue to learn, grow and contribute to improving healthcare delivery,’ he added.
Akayi also expressed appreciation to the NMCN for their steadfast support, guidance and encouragement throughout the development of our institution’s nursing programme.
Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Nursing Science, Professor Ngozi Osunde, said the ceremony is memorable and represented a paradigm shift for the new nurses.
She enjoined the inductees to always remember that the profession is dynamic and evolving, hence they must be abreast with the dynamism
‘You have been trained not in the science and art of nursing but also in the values that define a true professional: empathy, integrity, competence and selfless service.
‘The health healthcare environment is constantly changing with new challenges such as emerging diseases, technological innovations and global health crisis, so you must be abreast of them to make an impact and remain relevant,’ she said
In his presentation, the guest lecturer, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, who tilted his lecture ‘The health of nursing’ emphasised the need for hard work on the part of the nurses in delivering quality healthcare services.
He welcomed the new members into the profession, adding that decision making is crucial in the nurses’ day to day activities.