The Tribune

NINE graduates of the College of the Bahamas nursing programme have been recognised at the first pinning ceremony in Grand Bahama at Pelican Bay.

Keisha Bain-Outten, Cynetra Cox, Bejra Duncombe, Ashley Pinder, Kendra Roberts, Latoya Russell, Danielle Seymour, Bonnielynn Toote-Coakley and Tenishka Williams were congratulated by Health Minister Dr Michael Darville on Monday.

“You will have the opportunity to daily touch lives, but more specifically to make a positive contribution to your community and the residents of Grand Bahama who use the public healthcare services on a daily basis,” Dr Darville told the graduates.

Quoting Donna Wilk Cardillo, the nursing advocate, speaker and author, he said: “It takes a very strong, intelligent and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well being of the sick.”

He told the nurses that in choosing their profession, they had decided to be a part of system that takes care of others, a career that is fulfilling, but can be thankless.

“I encourage you to remain focused, prayerful and diligent as you deliver quality health care service to the people of Grand Bahama with a caring heart and a firm commitment to preserving life,” he said.

“Nurses are vital in the delivery of efficient health care services in any country and the Bahamas is no exception. As this administration continues to improve our medical infrastructure throughout the country and puts in place new health care protocols on Grand Bahama, we all must continue to do our part while planning for new emerging markets in medical tourism.”

Dr Darville said it is important that young Bahamians take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the health care profession. “That is why we are working closely with the Ministry of Education to begin a recruitment process in all our schools to ensure that we meet the current demands for nurses, pharmacists, doctors and allied healthcare workers, particularly on Grand Bahama,” he added.

Hospital administrator Catherine Weech told the graduates that the pinning ceremony is only a reminder that the educational part of their career is over. Now they have to work with patients and as members of the Grand Bahama Health Services community, they have to provide quality service.

“I hope that you too, will believe that the best you have to offer to your patients would be the fact that nursing is a combination of not only arts, but science as well,” Ms Weech said. “And under the umbrella of arts, we are talking about some key words, like caring and compassion, like love and friendship, dedication and commitment.”

The science part of nursing will be seen over time, she continued, in the production of new tools to make their jobs easier. “I often say if you don’t understand what it is that you do and do it well, the technology becomes insignificant.”