By Okpokpo Okhumode, Auchi
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has inducted 68 nurses who graduated from the Department of Nursing Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Dawood Egbefo stated this at the fourth batch Induction/oath taking ceremony of 2023/2024 qualified bachelor of nursing.
Prof. Egbefo said the institution had groomed and equipped them to effectively take up challenges in the nursing profession.
“I want to remind our graduating class of the profound responsibilities that come with being a nurse. This noble profession demands not only deep compassion, but also a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and professionalism. As future leaders in healthcare, you bear the crucial responsibility of caring for the vulnerable and the ailing, a role that requires unwavering dedication”, he stated.
The Acting VC commended the state government for converting the central hospital Auchi to Edo State University Teaching Hospital which has significantly improved the training of the medical students and enhanced healthcare standard in Edo North and its environs.
He, however, pleaded with the government to ensure it provide adequate facilities at the hospital in order to offer topnotch healthcare services.
The Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndagi Al-hassan said the new graduates were now certified nurses and were qualified to work in any health facilities in the country.
Al-hassan who was represented by the Deputy Director of the council Dr Dorothy Oneh congratulated the graduates and wished them successful career ahead.
“I urge you to adhere to the rules of professional conduct which are set of ethical guidelines binding on every nurse in Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Lecturer in Charge, Department of Nursing Dr Beatrice Obende said the inductees graduated with BSC Nursing having spent five years in the institution.
Obende said nursing profession was a unique one that adds value to patients care, impact patients wellbeing and preserve patients right.
“As you embark on your nursing journey, remember that your profession is not just a career, but a calling to make a difference in lives, sacrifices have to be made to care for those in need of your service, so I rejoice with you for attaining this enviable height in both educational and professional career”, she said.
On his part, the Ag deam, Faculty of Applied health science, Dr. Omoruyi Pius Omosigho congratulated the new inductees for making their parents and the faculty proud and urged them to be a good ambassador of the profession and the university, saying ‘we have done our best as a faculty to groom you in learning and in character and we are optimistic that you all will make us proud as you move to the next phase of your training during your internship’.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogunyewo from the department of nursing science, university of Jos said the roles of nurses keep changing because of the emergency of new technologies and changes in the health demand of the population.
In a paper titled: Artificial intelligence: Impact on Nursing, Prof Ogunyewo said that nursing practice has greatly transformed into an ICT-driven practice adding that artificial intelligence emerged as a critical technology which has made great impact on every area of human endeavor.
He however advised nurses to key into the technological structure in order to deliver unfiltered healthcare services in the most efficient and effective form.