Christian Hospital Mungeli Holds Capping Ceremony for Student Nurses
Christian Hospital, Mungeli, surrounded by villages in rural mid-India has been serving the medical and health needs of this marginalized area for more than 100 years. The healing ministry of this hospital has been expanding with leaps and bounds in the past few years as health awareness improves and affordable facilities that the hospital offers expand.
Christian Hospital Mungeli, surrounded by villages in rural mid-India, has been serving the medical and health needs of this marginalized area for more than 100 years. The healing ministry of this hospital has been expanding with leaps and bounds in the past few years as health awareness improves and affordable facilities that the hospital offers expand.
However there is a hitch. Although nurses are tumbling out of nursing educational institutions by the 100’s, they do not look for service in a rural areas, but rather find “better” jobs in urban areas where there are more patients who can pay higher fees.
Every hospital depends on an efficient nursing department to provide well-trained, competent nurses keeping 24 hour vigilance on each and every patient. Where shall we go for them? If wecan’t find them, then we create them. And how? By establishing a new School of Nursing which will help not only this hospital, but others in the same boat.
With hard work, persistence and the grace of God, the School of Nursing, accredited by the central and state government authorities and as a member of the Mid-India Board of Education, a wing of the Christian Medical Association, opened for the first batch of student nurses on October l, 2011. From then on it has been straight, forward, and ahead.
After completing their first few months probationary period, the student nurses are declared ready to don the school uniform and the coveted white starched caps which identify them as a nurse! They are on their way to a bright future in this noble profession with maximum opportunities to serve humanity in Christian love and service.
The capping ceremony and dedication service, recently held for the third batch of student nurses was both moving and inspirational, not only for the new students but for the upper classmates, parents, faculty, guests and all who were present to witness this special occasion. To a background of singing, the whole student body of 58 students proceeded to the front wearing crisp shining white uniforms of Indian dress (salwar-kurta with vest) adorned with a handmade red rose. After prayer, the congregation joined in singing ‘How Great Thou Art’! The program continued with scripture reading, by faculty, and a welcome and introduction by Dr. Anil Henry, Director of the hospital. Guests were welcomed by senior staff with floral bouquets. The Chief Guest, Mrs. Rebecca Herr, a nurse educator and specialist in Community Health nursing who , as a short term volunteer of Global Ministries (her 7th visit to India) has been teaching interesting subjects to the student nurses during her visit to Mungeli. She presented a remarkable message regarding the background of Florence Nightingale and the marvellous difference she made to nursing education as well her accomplishments for Public Health during the 1800’s in England and, surprisingly, in India as well. Rev. Landa Simmons, Executive Director of The Rambo Foundation, associated to CHM, also addressed the occasion, admiring the cap which nurses proudly wear on their heads, while she urged the students not to forget that even more important is what the nurse stores in her mind as she learns skills and knowledge to become a proficient nurse bringing hope and new life to her patients.
Mrs. Alka Prasad, Principal, presented the annual report describing innovations of the school and activities and accomplishments of our students who have done well academically. Following this, prizes were distributed to the students by Dr. N.R. Samuel and Dr. Teresa Henry.
Light is a symbol of knowledge, truth, hope, and love which God gives. Mrs. Rebecca Herr and Mrs. Nancy Henry lit the lamp and passed on candlelight to each of the budding nurses as they joined together to brighten the night with their light and dedication song, ‘Make Me A Channel of Your Peace’, followed by their impeccable recitation of the ‘Nightingale Pledge”, an oath of the devoted nurse. With prayer the ceremony was closed—to remain vividly in all our memories.
Nancy Lott Henry serves with the Church of North India, teaching and training student nurses.