Graduating nurses have been issued a warning as they enter the profession by Matron of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Vanya Bruney-LoBlack at the capping and pinning ceremony.
She also called on them to “read” and make it a point of duty to learn something new every day. “Medicine and technology change so rapidly that we must all make a commitment to remain current with modern development, find a role model and pattern yourself after that person and ask whether he or she is willing to be your mentor and establish a special bond,”
“The nursing profession new needs them now more than ever…Dominica needs your high energy, fresh perspective, and resilience,” she said.
According to Matron LoBlack, she believed that the graduates were “ready to start a new journey.” She called on them to be “advocates for their patients” and be compassionate and kind to each of them, aspire to make a difference and be willing to listen and be open to “constructive criticisms”.
She continued, “Smile, touch, listen compassionately, give the best that you can, believe me, there is nothing more spiritually gratifying when you hear a sick person or older patient say God will bless you. Take care of yourselves, the challenge of the new job demands that you take care of yourself, take your break time, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly.”
Also giving sound words of advice to the nurses was Shirley Augustine who is the President of the General Nursing Council (GNC) in Dominica in extending congratulations to the nurses told them that they have chosen “an honorable path to work with people and to help to put health on course.”
“Nursing is a unique profession, and it goes in your heart, mind, soul, and physical being to tend to the suffering of others…be your best and perform well where ever you are. As for overwork and underpay that may be true but nurses are held in high esteem in Dominican society. Dominican respect nurses and we as nurses should respect ourselves,” she said.
Also addressing the nurses was President of the Dominica State College (DSC) Dr. Donald Peters.
Dubbed “a journey without challenges has no memories” the twenty-four graduating nurses were pinned and capped at a ceremony at the Beran Bible Church.