Georgetown School of Nursing certifies 251
─ 110 Registered Nurses, 56 Midwives and 85 Nursing Assistants
─ Public Health Minister instils confidence in group
─ Valedictorian cops several top awards
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, November 1, 2018
Two hundred and fifty-one (251) students graduated from the Georgetown School of Nursing on November 1. This number comprises one hundred and ten Professional Registered Nurses, fifty-six Midwives and eighty-five Nursing Assistants.
Leola Charles, a graduate from the Professional Nursing Programme of the Georgetown School of Nursing and now a registered nurse, has emerged as the 2018 valedictorian. Charles, along with others, received special awards for their outstanding performances and special skills demonstrated throughout their course of studies.
This year’s graduation marks the school’s 31st Biennial ceremony, where scores of young professionals have received certification to provide services in the Public Health Sector. The graduation exercise was hosted at the National Cultural Centre.
In her valedictory speech, Charles encouraged her batch along with those who have completed other programmes, to be trailblazers in their respective fields, as they transition fully into the world of work.
“Let us leave a trail that others will be proud to follow. Class of 2018, as graduates, we face many uncertainties in both the immediate and distant future, however, it’s up to us to make a difference to have people say honourable things about us and leave the impression that you never gave up on yourself.” RN Charles said.
Leola Charles was the recipient of the Minister of Public Health Award and the first-ever PAHO/WHO award among several others in recognition of her stellar performance both in theory and clinical practices.
In her feature address, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence testified that since her appointment to the sector, she has worked assiduously with the faculty of Health Sciences and Education to make necessary changes to nursing education.
To this end, the minister expressed her confidence in the graduating batch’s preparedness to be deployed into the Public Health system. She further added that the citizens of Guyana can be reassured of quality health services being delivered to them by these professionals.
“It was John C. Mather who posited ‘there is strength in numbers’ and I wish to take this opportunity to endorse his statement by affirming that on seeing this large sea of enthusiastic faces, I, Volda Ann Lawrence, Minister of Public Health am convinced that the strengthening of Guyana’s health care system and the realization of the health goals outlined in our health vision 2020 are in competent hands,” the minister confidently stated.
The graduates were also encouraged to demonstrate an excellent level of patient care as they all have an important role to play as servants in the public health sector.
“We at the ministry recognize that you are the pillars of a sustainable and an effective health system the core of the next generation of nurses on whom Guyana will depend for a resilient and robust health structure.” Minister Lawrence said.
Midwife Ann Ferguson-Goppy, Registered Nurse Melissa Emanuel and Nursing Assistant, Sherl Daniels all excitedly highlighted their journey to completing their individual programmes.
Goppy said, “this is one of my accomplishments since I became a Registered Nurse. My future plan is to complete my BScN, starting September 2019.” Nurse Emanuel added, “It wasn’t easy but we were successful. I am moving on to do my degree and then my masters.” While Daniels indicated that “it’s been a long journey, seems like forever it was tough, we studied, we worked and we are here today… for me, the next step is the Midwifery programme.”
The graduation ceremony saw several persons from this year’s batch receiving special awards in the areas of interpersonal skills, management and leadership qualities and overall outstanding performances in theoretical studies and clinical practices.
Among those graduating was Batch 125A, who was a part of approximately 200 students, who retook the State Final Examinations and attained 100 per cent passes in 2017. This batch received timepieces compliments of PAHO/WHO in recognition of their overwhelming performance.
Delicia Haynes.
Images by Jameel Mohamed.