The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has inducted 57 pioneer graduates of the Department of Nursing Science at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, into the nursing profession, urging the new registrants to place professional ethics and compassionate patient care at the centre of their practice.

The induction ceremony, held at the College of Health Sciences of the institution on Thursday, marked the transition of the graduates into certified professionals, with their names to be entered into the NMCN register as Registered Nurses following their oath taking.

The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr Alhassan Ndagi, represented at the occasion by Mrs Patricia Amonuobi, enjoined the new nurses to combine clinical competence with compassion, excellence, and sincerity, stressing that empathy remains the cornerstone of quality patient care.

Dr Ndagi described nursing as a service driven profession requiring attentiveness and kindness, noting that the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree equips graduates with the capacity to make accurate diagnoses, design and implement care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes holistically.

"The professional exams you have taken are designed to strategically position you for competitive jobs in the healthcare sector in the global market. You must provide healthcare for the sick and hold on to secrets volunteered to you by patients," he stated.

The registrar further disclosed that the graduates would proceed on a one year internship during which they would be offered a temporary licence, with a permanent licence issued upon satisfactory completion based on performance and conduct.

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Odeh, advised the inductees to be of good conduct, noting that behind every chart, diagnosis, and treatment plan is a human being whose life they could improve through skill and kindness. The governor reiterated his administration's commitment to supporting the university and other institutions in providing the manpower required to drive its developmental agenda, particularly in the health sector.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Timothy Alabar, urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of the institution, noting that as pioneers, they were trained with competence, ethics, and compassion to address the growing healthcare needs of Benue State, Nigeria, and beyond.

A guest lecturer, Dr Ukemde Freeman, emphasised critical thinking and soft skills as essential tools for modern nursing practice, calling on healthcare institutions to prioritise communication and interpersonal skills training.