The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has inducted 294 graduates of nursing from foreign universities into the country’s nursing profession.
The inductees had completed a six months adaption programme at the Department of Nursing Science of 13 universities in the country and also passed the council’s professional examination for general nurses held in May this year.
Speaking during the induction ceremony in Abuja, Registrar of the council, Alhaji Faruk Umar Abubakar said the induction marks the transition from studentship to a graduate registered and professional nurse.
He said a nurse is expected to be compassionate and attentive in performing professional roles or dealing with patients having attained a high standard of education with clinical skills, adding that the inductees should be able to render safe and effective healthcare as they go into the labour market.
“You should be able to perform nursing skills in a variety of health care settings, caring for individuals, families and communities at large to enjoy optimal healthcare aimed at improving the quality of life from birth to the grave.
“You must know how to use technologies to provide healthcare and observe all the COVID-19 protocol and utilise personal protective equipment to protect yourself,” he said.
Abubakar enjoined the newly inducted nurses to be willing to learn and yield to the counsel of experienced colleagues already working in the clinical areas and also indulge in life-long learning.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the council, Dr Bola Abosede, advised the inductees to continue to provide care within the standards of the profession, adding that they have been empowered to practice independently.
Uloma Mbanaso, of the Department of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, urged parents and guardians to enrol their children in institutions in the country, saying there are about 40 accredited universities offering nursing in the country.
The Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr. Tosan Erhabor, enjoined health professionals to work together in changing the country’s poor health indices.
