Nursing and Midwifery students Receive Symbolic Stripes at 14th Annual Striping Ceremony
Students from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery programmes receive their stripe during the Caribbean School of Nursing's 14th Annual Striping and Candle Lighting ceremony on February 27, 2025, at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, UTech, Ja Papine Campus.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, congratulated the nursing and midwifery students on their academic achievement and for earning their stripes for excellence, noting “it is a tremendous pleasure to celebrate excellence at UTech, Jamaica. That’s what we’re about and I want to encourage you to continue on the same path.”
Reflecting on the demanding nature of the nursing profession, he remarked that, “The intimacy of what I see nurses have to do whether it’s bathing patients, handling fluids, providing care, counseling or offering support,” highlights the tremendous value of what they do, adding that nurses are constantly required to put forth their best character so that the patient feels well supported.
Acknowledging the struggles within the profession and the challenges of nurse retention in Jamaica, Dr. Brown emphasized, “No salary can truly compensate for your dedication.”
Reflecting on his own childhood experience as an asthmatic, frequently in and out of the hospital, Dr. Brown shared how his view of nurses was shaped by those experiences and how much he appreciated their care. “I want to say to you that you deserve all the compensation that you can be provided with but beyond that, I want to let you know that you are a part of perhaps the most purposeful profession that I know of,” he said.
As Jamaica’s premier Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) university, Dr. Brown noted the importance of the Caribbean School of Nursing in meeting institutional goals, and as such, noted, “We only accept the best and brightest, and we want to expand our programme so more Jamaicans who want to pursue this noble vocation can do so.”
A nursing student receives her stripe from Dean, College of Health Sciences, Professor Adella Campbell during the Annual Striping and Candle lighting ceremony at the Western Campus.
Professor Adella Campbell, Dean, College of Health Sciences, encouraged the students, emphasizing that while extrinsic motivation is important, a genuine desire to care for others, along with training and experience, will make these future healthcare professionals “invaluable assets to the health sector, whether in the public or private sector, locally or abroad.”
Professor Campbell highlighted the projected shortage of healthcare professionals, with the World Health Organization estimating a global deficit of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives by 2030. She emphasized the importance of staying motivated to fill these vacancies with professionals ready to positively impact health and wellness. Stressing the need for committed nurses and midwives to help change this trajectory and reduce challenges like burnout and poor-quality services, she expressed gratitude to the Caribbean School of Nursing team for their efforts in nurturing student motivation.
Professor Campbell implored the students - “remain inspired by the principles of beneficence and altruism. It is said that these two professions; nursing and midwifery, are callings, therefore, see your future role as not just a career but a calling even as you strive to positively impact health and wellness, while demonstrating a high level of compassionate care, empathy, commitment, and resilience.”
In her remarks, Mrs. Anthonette Patterson-Bartley, Head, Caribbean School of Nursing, also congratulated the Nursing and Midwifery students on earning their symbolic stripes and noted that their intrinsic motivation plays a pivotal role in shaping their intent to positively impact health and wellness, and to fostering improved patient outcomes and community health.
The Head of School provided an overview of the school's offerings, which include a diverse range of six distinct academic programmes: a certificate in critical care nursing, a certificate in midwifery, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery for Post-Registered Nurses, a Master of Science in Trauma Studies and Integrative Counseling, and a Master of Science in Nurse Anaesthesia. Mrs. Patterson-Bartley emphasized that “the educational frameworks we do here at the Caribbean School of Nursing encourage active learning, collaborative practice, and real-world application of skills, which often reinforce students' sense of purpose and commitment.”
Mrs. Anthonette Patterson-Bartley (left), Head, Caribbean School of Nursing, presents a token to Keynote speaker, Professor Sonia Richards-Malcolm (right), Former Vice Dean, College of Health Sciences and Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Keynote speaker, Professor Sonia Richards-Malcolm, Former Vice Dean, College of Health Sciences and Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, congratulated the future healthcare professionals on this significant milestone and offered words of encouragement on intrinsic motivation. She acknowledged the “profound impact” these students will have on health and wellness in Jamaica and the wider world, noting that, “In nursing and midwifery, intrinsic motivation is the cornerstone of compassionate care, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Agreeing with Professor Campbell that nursing and midwifery are “callings that require a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and dedication,” Professor Malcolm noted that students are often drawn to these professions to “make a difference in the lives of others, to alleviate suffering, and to promote health and wellness.” She affirmed that this motivation shapes “attitudes, behaviours, and interactions with patients, colleagues, and the healthcare system.”
Professor Malcolm emphasized that intrinsic motivation manifests in students' lives and positively impacts health and wellness through compassionate care, patient advocacy, continuous learning, and professional growth. She highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, mentorship and support, which will inspire the next generation, create a positive learning environment, recognize and celebrate achievements, and address systemic challenges.
Professor Malcolm charged the students: “Prepare yourself as nursing and midwifery students to become registered nursing and midwifery innovators in the healthcare industry for decades to come, positively impacting patients/clients, their families, and the country at large.”
In her address, Mrs. Patricia Ingram-Martin, Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness, highlighted the importance of dedication in the nursing profession. She acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the faculty at the Caribbean School of Nursing, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the foundation of excellence that the school is built upon. She stated, “your commitment and the quality of your actions help to shape the future of nursing practice in Jamaica and around the world.”
Mrs. Ingram-Martin stressed the significance of having a deep, intrinsic calling to care “the theme signifies that you must have a calling of care. This is an innermost or deep desire that will propel you along even when the pathways become treacherous.” She also noted that training would help turn this desire into tangible qualities that will “positively impact patient outcomes.”
Nurse Ingram-Martin emphasized the importance of self-reflection, continuous learning and practice, saying, “Learn as much as you can and practice as much as you can until you get the procedures right. This is building confidence and competence.” She continued, “Train yourself to be efficient and effective from this stage of your journey so that when you matriculate into becoming registered general nurses and registered midwives, you will be well on your way to becoming competent, compassionate, and empathetic caregivers.”
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I express my appreciation to the school for your contribution to nation building through the preparation and supply of skilled, competent nurses and midwives to provide health services to the people of Jamaica,” Mrs. Ingram-Martin expressed.
In addition to the striping of students, several students received awards who had demonstrated exceptional academic performance and professional conduct in specific modules.
End.
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm
