‘Nursing Not A Fallback But A Noble Calling’, Says Ibadan Don

By Our Correspondent

Ilorin – A don, Prof. Adeyinka Ganiyat Ishola, of the University of Ibadan, has urged newly inducted nursing graduates of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, to embrace their profession with pride, compassion and a commitment to continuous learning.

Ishola gave the charge on Monday while delivering a lecture titled “The Art and Science of Nursing: Bridging Knowledge, Skill, and Compassion,” at the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 62 nursing graduates of the university.

She described nursing as a noble profession that combines scientific knowledge, clinical competence and compassion in the service of humanity.

The don stressed that nursing should not be regarded as a fallback option for those unable to study medicine or other preferred courses, but as a distinct profession requiring specialised knowledge, skills and a strong sense of responsibility.

According to her, modern nursing has evolved into a scientifically rigorous discipline supported by research, statistics, theories and clinical evidence.

She noted that the profession’s development was shaped by pioneers who demonstrated that cleanliness, careful observation, accurate record-keeping and compassionate bedside care were essential to saving lives.

“Nursing is its own science, with its own body of knowledge, its own theories, and its own evidence base that allows us to answer the question: what is the right thing to do, and how do we know it will work?” she said.

Addressing the 62 inductees, Ishola said the trust nursing enjoyed across different countries and cultures had been earned through generations of dedicated practitioners, adding that the new nurses had a responsibility to protect and strengthen that reputation.

She explained that the profession offered diverse career opportunities beyond bedside care, including community and public health, research, academia, hospital management, health policy, entrepreneurship, global health and health technology innovation.

The professor said Nigeria’s healthcare system urgently needed skilled and compassionate nurses to address the growing demands of hospitals and communities, particularly in underserved areas.

She urged the inductees to see themselves as part of the solution to the country’s healthcare challenges by applying their knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes.

Ishola, however, cautioned that nursing could be physically and emotionally demanding, with practitioners sometimes facing long shifts, inadequate resources, overcrowded wards and the loss of patients.

She encouraged the graduates to remain committed to their responsibilities despite such challenges, noting that their ability to care for vulnerable patients would distinguish them as professionals.

“There will be moments you feel physically and emotionally drained, when the wards are overcrowded, resources are stretched, and it feels like you are being asked to give more than you have,” she said.

She advised them to remember the purpose behind their choice of profession and remain attentive to the needs of patients, especially those who were frightened, vulnerable or unable to speak up for themselves.

According to her, nurses must learn to balance professional competence with empathy, ensuring that pressure and heavy workloads do not make them lose sight of the humanity of those under their care.

The don also encouraged the inductees to seek support from colleagues and experienced faculty members while drawing strength from their personal faith and values.

She outlined four essential commitments for the new nurses: pursuing knowledge continuously, practising with discipline, making compassion an indispensable part of care, and wearing the nursing uniform with pride.

Prof Ishola warned that complacency could have serious consequences in healthcare, urging the graduates to keep reading, asking questions and updating their professional knowledge.

She added that clinical competence required constant practice, constructive feedback and humility, while compassion remained crucial to ensuring that patients were treated as human beings rather than numbers.

“Never let compassion become optional. Under pressure, deadlines and heavy patient loads, it is easy to reduce people to numbers. Resist that. See the human being,” she advised.

The lecturer also acknowledged the contributions of parents and guardians who supported the graduates through their education, urging them to appreciate nursing as a profession founded on science, practical skills and sacred responsibility.

She concluded with prayers for the inductees, asking Allah to grant them beneficial knowledge, healing hands, compassionate hearts and the strength to withstand the demands of their profession.

Ishola expressed appreciation to the management and faculty of Al-Hikmah University for the opportunity to address the graduates, commending the institution for laying a foundation for their professional development.

She urged the inductees to uphold the values of the profession and make their families, the university and Nigeria proud through dedicated service.

“Welcome into a profession where intellect and heart work as one; where you will be asked to be scientist and healer in the same breath; precise enough to save a life, and gentle enough to comfort a soul,” Prof Ganiyat Ishola said.

 

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