News > Aspiring Nurses Urged To Become Innovative Change Agents
Aspiring Nurses Urged To Become Innovative Change Agents Seventeen former students of The College of The Bahamas School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions were recently challenged to become agents for change in a profession that has widely become known as the backbone of the health care sector at the Fifth Annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony held recently at the Zion Yamacraw Church. The individuals, who will become official graduates at the 2009 Commencement scheduled for May 28th, were told that they are entering the health care arena at a time when nurses are a vital element in efforts to address current global challenges like aging populations, an increase in chronic, non communicable diseases, inadequate resources and workforce shortages. “The need for innovative solutions has never been greater as health care environments globally struggle to provide equitable, safe and effective health services while at the same time containing cost,” said Patricia Miller-Brown, Chair, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions during the ceremony. “So as we celebrate with these ladies, we challenge them to make a difference, to be agents of change, to be innovative, not to be restricted by what currently exists, but to shape the future of the nursing profession.” Mrs. Miller-Brown added that curriculum instruction in nursing and the profession itself have also undergone a paradigm shift in recent decades reflecting an emphasis on competency based approaches to prepare aspiring nurses who can champion health promotion and disease prevention, function effectively in unpredictable and complex environments, demonstrate critical thinking and flexibility and execute a variety of roles throughout their careers. The local nurses pinning exercise was initiated in 2005 to publically recognize those persons who had successfully completed the requirements for graduation from the various programmes of study offered at the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. Fifteen of the 17 graduands completed an Associate of Science degree in Nursing and the remaining two completed the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing programme. The School of Nursing offers a practical programme that involves internship and practicum periods during which student nurses must be assigned to clinical settings and practice the theoretical principles taught in the classroom. While delivering the keynote address at the Nurses Pinning ceremony, Principal Nursing Officer, Princess Margaret Hospital, Valerie Miller called the nursing profession a noble one. She also emphasized that despite the current economic realities, nurses are expected to continue to deliver excellent service. “We acknowledge that we are in an economic downturn. As a result, more patients are now accessing the public health system,” she said. “Despite this, you are required to provide more effective and efficient quality care to our clients with less resources. The clients expect this, they demand this and they are entitled to no less. If we are going to achieve this mandate, it cannot be business as usual. You must be creative and innovative and also be able to function in a cost containment environment.” Although she acknowledged the importance of proficiency in the profession, Mrs. Miller also stressed the importance of the human element of service. “Nurses need to serve from their hearts, demonstrating love, concern, empathy and compassion to our clients. These are things we can never teach you; these attributes start from within your spirits, your souls and your minds before it can be transferred to others,” she said. “As nurses, you must utelise your skills wisely and ensure that you build and positively contribute to the nursing profession. You must be committed to continuing education and training. Essentially you have really only just begun.” College of The Bahamas President Janyne Hodder also celebrated the achievements of the aspiring nurses. She indicated that the graduates of the School of Nursing continue to fulfill the mission of The College of The Bahamas to support and drive national development through education, research & innovation and service. “Clearly the nurses that we have graduated from the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions have been at the forefront of supporting and driving national development for years now,” she said. To the graduands she said: “As you begin your careers, you will find that you have the capacity to be great nurses and we will probably be calling on you as well to add to the other parts of The College’s mission which is research and innovation and bringing forward new ideas for the care of the people of this country.” Once students complete the nursing programme, they will receive their degrees but to become registered nurses they must pass the qualifying exam set by the Nursing Council of The Bahamas, the statutory body that regulates nursing practice and education in the country. This exam is run twice per year, in May and November.
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