Nurses’ commencement ceremony

Nurses swear to uphold the famous Hippocratic oath
at their commencement evening last Thursday at the
George Town Seventh Day Adventist Church

Proud graduates at the Nurses’ Commencement
Ceremony (R-L) Teesa Lawes,Veronica Levy, Melissa
Berry, Johann Taylor, Sophia Morgan, Donnote Parker,
and Joy Vernon

Valedictorian, Teesa Lawes, receives her nurses’ pin
from Acting Chief Nursing Officer Hazel Brown

Outstanding student, Melissa Berry receives her
certificate from Hon Roy Bodden

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

The Commencement Ceremony for nurses graduating from the Health Services Authority School of Nursing, with a certificate in Practical Nursing, took place at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Walkers Road, on Thursday 24 March.

During the ceremony, whose theme was ‘Reaching further through faith,’ attended by Hon Roy Bodden, Minister of Education, Human Resources and Culture, the emphasis was not on graduation alone, but on the commencement of the student’s new life of service to others.

After the opening prayer by Phileen James, and the greetings from Hon Roy Bodden, the first year students came forward in pairs to receive their stripes.

Pastor Winston Rose led those gathered in a spiritual meditation. He spoke on the subject of God’s purpose for our lives, saying that God had a plan for each of our lives, and that it was good to remember that God loved us, and wants the best for us. 

He went on to say that the nurses would be able to ‘Reach further through faith’ if they took some simple advice, which included not limiting themselves, mixing with like-minded positive people, and helping others to achieve their goals too.

During the next part of the ceremony, each of the students received their nurses’ caps, from their chosen preceptors, who had helped to train the students.

After receiving their caps each of the eight graduating nurses, resplendent in their dazzling white uniforms, lined up while Hazel Brown, Acting Chief Nursing Officer, gave each one their nurses’ pins.

Finally, each of the nurses received their Certificate in Practical Nursing from Hon Roy Bodden. 

The Certificate comes at the end of 22 months of medical training, and the students are encouraged to take Florida State Medical Board examinations, which they are entitled to take as a result of gaining their certificate here.

First year students, dressed in pink uniforms, were also honoured by being invited up the front of the auditorium to gain their first year nurses’ stripe.

Teesa Lawes was the Valedictorian, and Melissa Berry gained a special prize for Outstanding Student.

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