THE St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing has graduated its 64th batch of Registered Nurses (RNs), and the efforts of the 17 medical professionals were recognized during a ceremony on the tarmac of the school’s Kingston location on Thursday, July 30.Chief Executive Officer of the School, Dr. Vivakeanand Bridgemohan, in addressing the gathering, urged the graduates to not only reflect on the challenges and successes of the past, but to focus on the potential for a brighter future.

While Dr. Bridgemohan believes that medical professionals today face greater difficulty in the execution of their duties, he is confident that the training these nurses have received will ensure they excel.

“You are the professional workforce in health care for the Guyana of today and tomorrow. Go out there and demonstrate nothing else but high standard of practice and care. The challenge to excel, to stand out, will be much greater than in the past; but the rigorous and thorough training you had leaves me no doubt that you would excel as high calibre Mercy Nurses,” he told the RNs.

Similarly, Director of the School of Nursing, Nurse Elsie Asabere, urged the group of RNs to make the institution proud. She expressed optimism that this batch would continue the promotion of the brand of Mercy Nurses being recognized as among the best in the country.

In giving her annual report, Nurse Asabere indicated that 19 students were initially enrolled. There are currently 11 senior student nurses and another 11 juniors.

The School Director indicated an intention to have two intakes, one in September and another in March, which will see the institution making a greater contribution to the national nursing population.

“The nursing school has been around for so many years, and it is just appropriate that we upgrade our level. We are working with the accreditation council to see if we can upgrade from RN to BSc Nursing,” Director Asabere disclosed. If successful, the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing could be offering a degree in Nursing.

This was precisely the encouragement offered to graduates. “You can’t stay an RN forever; you can go as high as you want,” said Nurse Asabere.

The St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing was started by the Sisters of Mercy in 1946. The School was officially opened by Sister Mary Kateri with two classes of twenty students each. The nurses were and still are of every race and creed, and have served Guyana and the world with distinction.

The School of Nursing is situated on the grounds of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital at Parade St. in Kingston, Georgetown.

By Michel Outridge