At the induction ceremony of 38 Nursing Science graduates of Gregory University ( Uturu ) Abia state, into the membership of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria ( NMCN), their roles and multiple qualifications were listed and highlighted, including charges to them by the NMCN, the university, and other professionals.

The NMCN Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Alhasan Ndagi, who performed the induction through his representative, Mr Godwin Ukpong, informed the inductees—comprising five males and 33 females—that nursing is a highly demanding profession rooted in compassion and service.
He stressed that nurses must be kind, attentive, and empathetic in dealing with patients.

He explained that the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree they earned is designed to improve the quality of nursing services in Nigeria by equipping nurses with the skills to make accurate diagnoses, design appropriate care plans, and implement and evaluate care holistically.
Dr Ndagi noted that the ceremony formally transitions them from students to graduates and registered nurses, marking their entry into the noble nursing profession after their induction and oath-taking.
He added that only after induction would their names be entered into the NMCN register with the “Registered Nurse (RN)” designation.

Mr Ukpong further charged the inductees to develop and implement health promotion strategies, evaluate outcomes, and function both independently and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals. He emphasised that, as polyvalent graduate nurses, much is expected of them.
In her address, the Head of Department of Nursing Science, Associate Professor Chinyere Regina Nwufo, noted that nursing education in Nigeria is unique, as students graduate with three or four certifications within a five-year programme.
“They obtain the Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Public Health Nurse (RPHN) certificates—where applicable—and the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree,” she said.

She explained that the curriculum is intensive, designed to meet the demands of multiple professional examinations, making it challenging for both students and lecturers. Lecturers, she added, not only teach in classrooms but also supervise students during clinical postings.
The HoD further stated that the department prepares students for all relevant board examinations, as well as the university degree examination leading to the award of the BNSc.
The Chancellor of GUU, Mr Okechukwu Gregory Ibe, told the inductees that by choosing nursing, they had chosen humanity itself, noting that the healthcare landscape demands character as much as competence.

Similarly, the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, urged them to go forth as healers, the pride of the university, and a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s health sector.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cele Njoku, reminded the graduates that the profession requires not only knowledge and skill but also compassion, integrity, and humility.
“The world needs healthcare professionals who are not only knowledgeable but also empathetic—those who can understand the unspoken language behind every illness,” she said, adding that their oath signifies commitment to these ideals.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Felix Erondu, tasked the graduates with upholding and advancing the foundation laid by the institution, noting that their conduct would shape the reputation of the programme.
Delivering a guest lecture, Dr Nneka Juliet Nnamdi, a Senior Lecturer at Abia State University, Uturu, described critical thinking in nursing as the ability to analyse information, assess patient conditions, interpret data, prioritise care, and anticipate complications.
“In a world where healthcare consumers are increasingly informed, patient satisfaction is not a byproduct—it is a measure of our professionalism, empathy, and competence,” she said.

She emphasised that developing soft skills alongside strong clinical governance leads to improved health outcomes, stronger patient relationships, and safer healthcare environments.
Dr Nnamdi recommended that healthcare institutions incorporate soft skills training into nursing education and encouraged nurses to continually improve their communication and interpersonal abilities.
She also urged healthcare managers to promote patient-centred care and implement regular evaluation and feedback systems.

Speakers at the event also encouraged the inductees to pursue higher degrees in nursing, noting the vast opportunities available both locally and internationally.
Speaking on behalf of the inductees, the best graduating student, Onyinyechukwu Mbadugha, expressed gratitude to the university management, lecturers, and staff for their support throughout the five-year programme.
“Today, we step into a new identity. We are no longer just students—we are professionals, caregivers, advocates, and nurses,” she said.

However, the Head of Department clarified that although the graduates have been inducted into the NMCN, they cannot yet practise as registered nurses until they are fully licensed.
She explained that they must first complete a one-year internship in a health facility, followed by the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.