Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 20: Dr Thereza Mathias, professor at Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing said, "Nursing is a dynamic and challenging profession. It plays an important role in providing care for humanity. Health is the right of every human being. Science and technology are playing an important role in the present times. We have to upgrade to the modern turns."
She was speaking as chief guest during the lamp lighting and oath taking ceremony of 63rd batch of GNM and 34th batch of BSc nursing students of Father Muller School and College of Nursing (FMCON) at Father Muller Academy Hall, here on Saturday February 20.
She further said, "This lamp lighting ceremony is the light that shines, speaks about three important things. Light is the reminder of the darkness on the outside. It speaks about hope. The light that shines, resembles that burning out for others.
"Nursing indeed is a selfless service, irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion and nationality. As nurses, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of the patients.
“The lamp that you light and the pledge that you have taken today to keep the light burning throughout your professional career, I wish that you keep this light burning throughout the life by self-possessing three 'H' that is head, heart and hands which stands for knowledge, attitude and skills. Five 'C' which are commitment, compassion, communication, confidence and critical thinking,” she said.
The director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho who started his speech with Florence Nightingale's quote said, "In the profession, avoid gossip, be sober and honest and have devotion to God and commitment to patients. Respect your patient because they are like you and me. It is not just a profession but it is also an occasion. God has called to share his own healing ministry. God is the healer and you are the instrument.
“Hence, you need to live a delicate and decent life and show empathy towards your patient. In nursing, our first preference is our patients, doctors and senior nurses,” he said.
Speaking on punctuality, he said, “Being late to work and showing lethargy to attend to the patient is not good. At present, we are missing nurses with eagerness, enthusiasm and quickness in the profession. Hence, be punctual, zealous and enthusiastic. Eagerness should be within us. I call upon you to light the lamp of courage. Do not be afraid. Be bold. Light the lamp of justice, peace, liberty and ethics. You have to restore a person towards wholeness or wellness.”
As a sign of honour and respect, the dignitaries offered flowers to the portraits of Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession, and the late Fr Augustus Muller, founder of Father Muller Charitable Institutions.
Sr Jacintha D'Souza, principal, FMCON, administered the oath to the students. As many as 131 nursing students took the oath and lit lamp.
Fr Ajith Menezes, Fr Rudolph Ravi D'Sa, administrator, FMMCH, Sr Jacintha D'Souza, principal, FMCON, Jasmine Saritha Vas and others were present.