Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 03, 2013 News
Although there were some concerns when it was first introduced in 2002 by nurse Gwendelyn Tross, the Bachelors of Sciences (BSc) in nursing offered at the University of Guyana was yesterday deemed a sound programme by Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emanuel Cummings.
Dr Cummings was at the time addressing the minute gathering at an awards ceremony at the University’s Education Lecture theatre intended for the 18 nurses who graduated last year during UG’s 46th convocation.
Although scheduled for a 15:00 hrs start yesterday the event did not get started until around 16:30 hours although most of the officials scheduled to speak were present. A mere five nurses were in place when a decision was finally made to get the programme started.
Recognition was given to Sister Tross who was the founder and Coordinator of the BSc programme. She was noticeable among those who were punctual yesterday.
According to Dr Cummings, Sister Tross was in fact the one who worked very hard for the establishment of the programme and even though she is retired she continues to support the programme. She was also the one instrumental in starting the award ceremony for the graduate nurses.
Dr Cummings noted that the programme was instrumental in creating a number of leaders among them the current Chief Nursing Officer and other health care workers throughout the country.
In alluding to the importance of the programme, Dr Cummings said that within the faculty structure and the university as a whole the nursing programme is very established and is one of the strongest programmes.
Current coordinator of the programme, Afesha Leacock-Marshall, said that yesterday’s ceremony was intended to recognise the performances of the nurses during the course of their training. The programme, according to her too, has evolved over the years whereby it was first offered to managers within the health sector but now is accessible to a wider cross section of nurses.
She explained that in 2004 this move was first embraced. Nurses who have at least one year post graduate qualifications are eligible for the programme but according to Leacock-Marshall they must also complete the one year certificate nursing programme at one of the country’s nursing schools.
Of the 18 nurses who made up the last batch, six graduated with distinction. A valedictorian for the programme was chosen from among them in the person of Vilma Persaud, who attained the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.8. Also outstanding were Gwen Tinnie, Teon Charter, Shonette Waterman, Latchmin Egdhill and Melissa Jacobus.
Yesterday, the top graduating BSc Nurse, Vilma Persaud, noted that not only is it important for nurses to be professional but through the programme she was able to appreciate the importance of research.
She spoke of the need for research to be included in the curricula of the country’s nursing schools adding that “research is definitely the way to go because that is how you will gain respect also. It is not just what I say or what I think or so it is what I can show you.”
She made reference to the fact that many times medical professionals are not willing to listen to nurses since to some “you are just a nurse…”
The nurse, who prior to the programme was offering her services to the Caribbean Heart Institute says that her next move is to pursue a Master’s degree.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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