Twenty four health professionals will now be able to begin their career in the health system as they received their pins and caps as certified practical nurses.
The ceremony took place at the Berean Bible Baptiste Church in Bath Estate.
The completion of this course for these ladies is one that is much needed in Dominica as the world continues to battle the covid-19 pandemic.
President of the Dominica State College, Dr. Donald Peters, congratulated the nurses on their achievements. He encouraged the students to embrace the attributes of nursing and to treat each patient with respect.
“What I have noticed in the press is that some nurses are getting bad reviews and I want to you, the young nurses, that the history of nurses is that they are sensitive, warm and caring. These are the attribute of a nurse, and I want you to be mindful of this. You have all the skills and training that you need. Be not worried about your competency. Be not worried about what you bring into the hospitals and the nursing facilities where you work. Ensure that you treat people with respect, with integrity, and you go the extra mile. Maybe we could go back to the old days of Florence Nightingale and be the Florence Nightingale of the future, so that when other nurses graduate they will follow your footsteps,” Dr. Peters advised the graduating class.
Mrs. Vanya Bruney-Loblack was the motivational speaker. Mrs. Loblack is a matron at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and has been in the nursing service for thirty-two years. Mrs. Loblack told the nurses that the journey to this accomplishment was not easy but they have reached the end. She encouraged them to aspire to a higher education in the nursing field.
“You will all, without a doubt, be faced with challenges and problems throughout your own journeys as practical nurses and later I hope as RNs. With any choice however that you make, your education is never over. Embrace every opportunity to grow and learn. I believe that you are well prepared and ready to start this new journey. It was a Brazilian lyricist who said “straight roads to not make skill full drivers”, but I say straight and flat roads do not make competent nurses,” Mrs. Loblack noted.
She encouraged them to be advocates for their patients and always show compassion towards them.
“Let me encourage you to be advocates for your patients, to be compassionate and kind to each of them. To aspire to make a difference. To be willing to listen and open to constructive criticism. To keep learning along the way. To communicate effectively. To be flexible. To be willing to go the extra mile for your patients and for the nursing service,” the matron added.
Alice John-Hope was the top student receiving the highest grade point average; Lucille Hannah Francis got the award for leadership and team spirit; and Ulanda Thomas received the award for excellence in clinical practice.