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Keynote speaker at the ceremony was the Minister of Health, and a nurse by profession, Senator the Honorable Ann Peters. In recognizing the students’ notable achievements, the Minister of Health stated, “I consider all the eleven young graduates as Olympic gold medalists of the nursing program coming out of St. George’s University. Today you have created history and a milestone in the journey of St. George’s University. Whatever happens twenty years from now, you will always be identified as the first class to have completed your degree at this institution which is now a household name in Grenada, and a worldwide name.”
The students were counseled on the discipline needed to succeed within a noble profession met with numerous challenges. Senator Peters remarked, “It’s a profession that encompasses tolerant and collaborative care of individuals, and that tolerance transcends age, community groups, family, race, colour, creed and political affiliation. Therefore it is dependant on you to always keep your code of mercy ethics 24/7. You may retire from official service, but you never stop being a nurse, hence the need for personal discipline and commitment at all times.”
The Minister of Health highlighted attitude as the main difference between a profession and being a professional. Professionalism she stated is the attitude you bring to your skills and knowledge, and that is defined by character, conscience and competence. In a final appeal to the young nurses Senator Peters stated, “You should always keep the guiding principles of the International Council for Nurses as your partner. Nursing practice will bring with it responsibility, accountability, competence and your own interest in your continuing education. I challenge you to make the commitment to yourselves that continuing education will not stop at this level.”
Student awards were presented to Shannel Langaigne for academic excellence, Jevonne Joseph for clinical excellence and Audine Searles for Community Service. An award for outstanding contribution to community healthcare was presented to Ms. Nataly Wilson on behalf of the South St. George’s Welfare Association, by Ms. Ann Hopkin, a clinical preceptor and tireless champion for quality healthcare. Ms. Hopkin noted that, “This recipient has contributed a great deal to the different communities throughout Grenada and this contribution has been demonstrated by investing precious time and many hours actively participating in health fairs and outreach programs. All these acts were performed with compassion, generosity and an act of selflessness.”
The curtains came down on the ceremony’s proceedings with a presentation of SGU nursing pins to all eleven nurses by the University Provost Dr. Allen Pensick, and the recitation of the nursing pledge.
Congratulations are extended to the nursing charter class on a successful and rewarding journey at St. George’s University; and for setting the stage for many more to come.
Symbolism of the SGU Nursing Pin
St. George’s University Nursing Pin symbolizes a tradition that is nearly 1000 years old. The SGU logo is mounted on a Maltese Cross. The Cross is the symbol associated with the Knights Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus, pioneers of communicable and chronic disease care. In the four sections of the shield on the SGU logo, symbols representing the nursing profession are inserted.
Books: Indicate the knowledge base and scholarship of the nursing profession.
Nightingale Lamp: Is a symbol of comfort, kindness, gentleness and the unwavering devotion to duty in the dark night at the hospital in the Crimean War, and in hospitals all over the world.
White Open Heart: Is the International Council of Nurses’ universal symbol for nursing, and characterizes the caring, knowledge and humanity that infuse the work and spirit of nursing. The white heart is also a unifying symbol of nurses globally.
Map of Grenada: Acknowledges the origin of the nursing program and speaks to the truly international nature of the education received at St. George’s University.
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