Theme: "Preparing to Meet Health Care Challenges in Pursuit of Excellence".

Nursing or Caregiving is a very prestigious and a very honorable profession. It is beyond job, beyond work and or beyond a stepping stone to earning a "greener" future. But rather it is a calling and a humbling experience. Why did I say that?

There are many definitions and descriptions of nursing but the real essence of it is caring and helping. In nursing, we handle life, we provide care for an individual holistically towards health. And in doing so, it takes a lot of responsibility, to face a lot of challenges.

These challenges comes in many forms and differs from each individual. To mention a few, there are those that starts in a workplace, such as dealing with co-workers, with patients and their families, dealing with their demands, their own beliefs, their way of coping stress and dealing with the stress of your own. Or working in an environment where it could be highly advanced or lack of sufficient facilities, equipment and supplies that could hinder the delivery of your care. It could be global as well, like the economic crisis that world is facing now has a big impact on health care. Or the kind of lifestyle that we and the new generation are practicing could lead to greater risk to an individuals health where new diseases and more advance stage of a disease could occur. And in the health care profession itself, it's getting more competitive. There are increasing number of emerging groups of health care provider and its graduates, which means more are dying for a certain position, which more skills and better equipped. These are only a few of the many more challenges you will face when you go out from that door and start your life as a Practical Nurse.

But I believe that LIFELINE and your years of studying and going through all the drills has equipped you to face all this challenges. Just add up to this your Dedication, Hard work, Patience, Open Mindedness, Honesty, Continuous learning and Love for whatever you do.

Dedication and Hard work. It is doing your work to the best of your ability, give your all. Be the best that you can be and make every moment your practical exam.

Patience. I believe this is one of the best trait of a Filipino. Smile even if you feel like quitting. Smile even when your heart is aching according to a song.

Open mindedness. Be open to new things cause only change is constant in this world. Be eager to new ideas. Be able to adapt and be flexible to whatever comes your way.

Be honest. It is very important in an health care environment. It doesn't just save your patients but you as well.

Never stop learning. Graduation is not the end but the beginning to more pursuit of knowledge. It will help you grow professionally. Read, attend seminars and enroll in advance studies in the future.

And love whatever you do or try to love it at least.

And always involve God in your work. Do all this for his glory.

And lastly stay humble.

I have been a nurse for more than 5 years now. I have worked here and abroad. I have my share of challenges. And i should say, triple it when you're working in a different country, with different people, with different culture. I never imagine this when I went in to Nursing. But these challenges have taught me and equipped me more. But don't let this challenges be hindrance but rather an opportunity. Going through all this will make you involved than you realize you care. And when you care then there you're doing nursing, beyond procedures, beyond work and beyond job. A patient's smile is all worth it. It is such a humbling experience I want you to achieve. For me, an excellence in providing care, is what it is.

God Bless and Good luck to your nursing job.

Commencement Speaker: Ms. Heidi Torres,BSN.RN
Mt. Sinai Hospital
New York City
USA

Posted on 15 Feb 2009