First Pinning Ceremony for Registered Nurses Held in Grand Bahama

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Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, at the podium, addresses the first Nurses graduation ceremony in Grand Bahama, November 17, at Pelican Bay.

FREEPORT, Bahamas – Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, congratulated nine graduates of the Class of Fall 2013 during the first pinning ceremony to be held in Grand Bahama on Monday at Pelican Bay Hotel.

Held under the theme, “Nurses: Many roles, One Profession; Advocating, Leading and Delivering Quality Care,” there were nine graduates, eight women and one man. They are Keisha Bain-Outten, Cynetra Cox, Bejra Duncombe, Ashley Pinder, Kendra Roberts, Latoya Russell, Danielle Seymour, Bonnielynn Toote-Coakley and Tenishka Williams.

The graduates, he said, are products of The College of The Bahamas Nursing Program, something to be proud of. The Minister congratulated them on choosing to become a part of a noble profession and added, “you will have the opportunity to daily touch lives, but more specifically to make a positive contribution to your community and the residents of Grand Bahama who use the public healthcare services on a daily basis.”

The Minister then quoted Donna Wilk Cardillo, ‘It takes a very strong, intelligent and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose, and work to maintain the health and well being of the sick.’

He said in choosing this profession, they have decided to be a part of system that takes care of others. It is a career, he added, that is fulfilling but can be thankless.

“Therefore,” said the Minister, “I encourage you to remain focused, prayerful and diligent as you deliver quality healthcare service to the people of Grand Bahama with a caring heart and a firm commitment to preserving life.

“Ladies and gentlemen”, he continued. “Nurses are vital in the delivery of efficient healthcare services in any country and The Bahamas is no exception. As this administration continues to improve our medical infrastructure throughout the country and puts in place new healthcare protocols on Grand Bahama, we all must continue to do our part while planning for new emerging markets in medical tourism.”

Minister Darville said it is important that young Bahamians take advantage of the opportunities that currently exist in the healthcare profession. “That is why we are working closely with the Ministry of Education to begin a recruitment process in all our schools to ensure that we meet the current demands for nurses, pharmacists, doctors and allied healthcare workers particularly on Grand Bahama.”

Hospital Administrator, Ms. Catherine Weech, told the graduates that they have already set a high standard by defining themselves and becoming a part of a new kind of change. The pinning ceremony is only a reminder that the educational part of their career is over, but now they have to work with patients and as members of the Grand Bahama Health Services community, they have to provide quality service.

“I hope that you too, will believe that the best you have to offer to your patients would be the fact that nursing is a combination of not only arts, but science as well. And under the umbrella of arts, we are talking about some key words, like caring and compassion, like love and friendship, dedication and commitment.”

The science part of nursing will be seen over time, she continued, in the production of new tools to make their jobs easier. “I often say if you don’t understand what it is that you do and do it well, the technology becomes insignificant.”

Others in attendance were, Ms. Judith Bridgewater, Assistant Director of the Grand Bahama Health Services Quality and Safety Department; and Mrs. Anna Hall, Nursing Council Representative.