“Called to be high-touch Nurses not high-tech” was the message of the Chief Guest! 2nd Batch of Father Muller Nursing College (FMNC)-Thumbay BSc Nursing Students Join Lamp Lighting & Oath-Taking Ceremony
Mangaluru: Known as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale revolutionised nursing and reformed hospitals. She dedicated her life to the helpless and miserable. A true heroine for the soldiers during the Crimean War, she hardly slept at night, choosing instead to go on rounds around the hospital just to ensure the wellbeing of the soldiers – the reason for her iconic title. “Live life when you have it. Life is splendid there is nothing small about it; ” “I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse.” had said Florence Nightingale
Yes, Nurses are the hospitality of the hospital. Nurses lead very demanding lives. Working with doctors, healing patients and educating the communities are just a few of the responsibilities nurses perform daily. You could say that nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing us with the attention and medical care that we need to live healthy long-lasting lives. Sometimes being a nurse can be exhausting, but the knowledge and power to help heal others keeps them going in challenging times. And while nurses are strong, spirited, positive and focused even they need a little pick me up every once in a while – like complimenting them for their well-done job or appreciating their dedication and commitment to patients and health care. And truly, the Nurses are the “Angels of Mercy”!
The Lamp lighting ceremony held as a tribute to Florence Nightingale is an auspicious occasion in every nurse’s life. The budding nurses, adorned in their uniforms for the first time, formally mark the students’ entry into the nursing profession. The lamp lighting & Oath Taking Ceremony of the 2nd Batch (2023-24) of BSc Nursing Students of Father Muller Nursing College, Thumbay was celebrated on 11 January 2024 at 10:00 am with a thanksgiving mass celebrated by Rev Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, the Director of FMCI and Con- Celebrated by Rev. Fr Sylvester Vincent Lobo, the Administrator of Father Muller Hospital Thumbay.
The formal Lamp Lighting ceremony was graced by invoking God’s blessings led by 2nd year B.Sc. nursing students. On this occasion, Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, of Father Muller Charitable Institutions was President of this ceremony. Sr.Jacintha D’Souza, Principal of Father Muller School and College Of Nursing, Mangaluru, was the Chief Guest for the day. Fr Sylvester Vincent Lobo the Administrator, of Father Muller Hospital and Nursing College Thumbay, delivered the welcome address. Dr Kiran Shetty Medical Superintendent of Father Muller Hospital-Thumbay and Rev. Dr Sr Judy Principal FMNCT and Mrs Janet Sequeira, Vice Principal, the former Principal Rev. Sr Dhanya Devasia, CNO of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru graced the occasion.
The Day was very significant to the First year B.Sc. Nursing Students who have willingly come forward to become instruments of God’s healing power. Rev. Dr Sr. Judy Principal enlightened the students and audience, on the significance of the day on the lamp lighting and Oath-taking ceremony. The most awaited moment of the day was the lamp-lighting ceremony of the First year B.Sc. Student Nurses solemnly came forward to light the lamp which was lit by the nursing leaders Sr. Jacintha D’Souza, The Chief Guest and Rev. Dr Sr. Judy Principal of the College. Florence Nightingale Oath was administered by Rev. Dr Sr Judy Principal of the College to the New Nightingale. A melodic and soothing song “Love Shine a Light” added solemnity to the program, symbolizing their allegiance and devotion to the nursing profession and the need to serve society and the nation at large. Such a sign of determination has led to them showcasing their passion for nursing beyond boundaries.
Rev. Sr. Jacintha D’Souza, the Chief Guest of the day enlightened the students and gathering by saying “Let the World know you Care, let the patient know at that moment that you are caring for them, then to the hospital, community and the world that itself will spread light when you are caring. Dedication has its implications being dedicated is to have single-mindedness giving the whole self and being committed. Determination, Commitment and Discipline these three qualities that are important to being a good Nurse. Having your standards is important. Not being selfish but being selfless in Caring for people. Discipline in your life will lead you to the heights”. In the end, she conveyed her best wishes by saying that Florence Nightingale would be your role model.
Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho gave a presidential address with the message, where he said, “The world today is the world of materialism embracing more and more richness, wealth, property, gold, silver, We should not go after the worldly things but always should give care to the patient. Always use the opportunity don’t waste time be responsible and never take life for granted. Discipline yourself from the beginning, try to be responsible and dedicated and committed. We are only instruments of God from Him we will get the healing touch. So always establish a connection with God. Ultimately, God is one and we are his children. The lamp that is lit should not allow it to be blown, it should always be burning. The zeal should be present when you go at the bedside of the patient”. The programme was meticulously and eloquently compered by Rev. Sr Nancy Mathias and the Vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs Janet Sequeira, Vice Principal, and FMNCT.
Acting as the point of initiation for these budding nursing students into the nursing fraternity, this highly sacred ceremony brought together some of the elite medical practitioners to inspire and motivate the students to believe in the impact of their noble practice. Nursing is not just a profession, it is a service to society and service to the nation and LMCN has its continuing commitment to ensure that they produce students who are equipped with the ability to serve. This lamp lighting ceremony is, by all means, an essential part of the profession, which is sacred towards ensuring the devotion and commitment of the students towards their practice.