The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and Igbinedion University, Okada on Friday called on newly inducted nurses in the university to uphold competence, ethics and evidence-based practice.
The duo made the call on Friday in Okada, Edo while performing the oath-taking ceremony for 152 graduates of Bachelor Nursing Science.
In his address shortly before the oath-taking, Dr Ndagi Al-Hassan, NMCN’s Registrar, described the ceremony as “a great achievement” for the inductees, stressing that the approval to practise comes with significant responsibility.
“As polyvalent nurses, you are expected to render safe and quality healthcare services to patients and clients at all times,” he said.
The registrar, who was represented by Dr Dorothy Ore, noted that while the graduates had completed their academic training, competence in the field required humility, continuous learning and discipline.
“Be willing to learn from your colleagues. Accept corrections to avoid unnecessary mistakes. Improve and make adjustments positively,” he advised.
He also urged the new nurses to be “credible ambassadors” of the profession, upholding ethics, compassion and honesty.
He encouraged them to pursue higher degrees, explore the many opportunities in the profession with dignity.
In his remark, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of the university, described the induction as a decisive transition from academic preparation to professional responsibility.
“Today marks a pivotal inflection point, a moment where academic accomplishment meets professional and ethical commitment.
“We are here not just to celebrate your success but to formally welcome you into the noble valley of nursing,” he said.
Ezemonye, who was represented by the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Raphael Adeghe, emphasised that the oath taken by the graduates represented a moral and professional covenant.
“The oath you take is not a shield from the realities of healthcare.
“It is an armour for navigating them with principle. Let your competence be your protest against mediocrity,” he said.
The vice-chancellor reminded the inductees that the world they were entering required resilience, leadership and professional identity.
“You are not just healthcare workers; you are university-educated clinicians and leaders.
“As you step into the world, you carry the hopes of your families, the investment of this institution, and the trust of the countless patients you will serve,” he said.
Prof. Roselyn Esewe of the University of Benin, who delivered the induction lecture, highlighted the centrality of competence, evidence-based practice and communication in modern nursing.
The lecture was titled “The Competent Nurse: Adding Value to Patient Care Through Best Practices.”
The induction lecturer defined the competent nurse as one who practises “safely and effectively without the need for supervision.”
Esewe added that patients today were informed and expectef professionalism.
“Clients are more aware of their conditions, and their concerns must be addressed with empathy and precision,” she said.
She warned that poor communication, especially during handovers, leads to medical errors.