Best Graduating Nurse, Lester Christian
Lack of adequate and qualified instructors, cramped space, noise interference, poor ventilation in classrooms and building safety concerns were among the issues raised by Resident Tutor of the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, Ms. Oslyn Hicken.
She was addressing the school’s 13th graduation exercise.
Many of these issues, she reported, have been reported to the relevant authorities, “over and over, and over” but to no avail.
Listening to the concerns by the Resident Tutor was Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran. The school, located at 442-443 Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, offers three programmes— Professional Nursing Programme; Nursing Assistant Programme and Post- Basic Midwifery.
Ninety-three trained nurses entered the public healthcare system last Wednesday during a graduation exercise at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School. The Best Graduating Nurse was Lester Christian.
On Wednesday, the 93 nurses completed their training at the institution between 2010 and 2012.Thirty-nine Registered Nurses received their Diplomas, while 54 Nursing Assistants received their Certificates. Nurses’ graduation is held every three years.
Hicken highlighted the shortage in qualified staff and clinical instructors. “This poses a great set-back to success,” she stressed. The noise pollution at the school due to construction work on the lower flat of the building hinders students and lecturers’ concentration.
The lack of ventilation of the classroom creates a poor learning environment. It results in students and lecturers feeling very fatigued, she added. Their concentration spans decrease rapidly.
Ms Hicken outlined safety concerns at the school. She identified the need for a secondary stairway, which she described as a “disaster waiting to happen, which can result in the loss of precious lives.”
New Amsterdam School of Nursing
“There is the need for tutors; a handyman and social worker; computers, increase in library space, air conditioning of the school, allowance for uniforms and tutors being increased and automatic release of persons for further educational development,” Hicken added.
Despite the inadequacies, the school continues to maintain its motto: “Working together towards a successful studentship”, and its mission, “Preparing nursing personnel who are capable of delivering comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families and groups.”
She thanked a few agencies for donations to the institution over the years. Those donations enhanced the learning capabilities and function. Ministry of Health donated text books and internet services; Director of Health Sciences supplied Midwifery text books; Prof. Mina Singh and Caitlin Beggs donated text books; American Heart Institute and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as well as the General Nursing Council, provided ink.
“We are still awaiting a risograph, working photocopiers, upgraded internet, and additional computers and most of all, a new, large spacious nursing school,” she said.
Ms. Hicken stated that 52.9 percent of students passed the Registered Nursing programme in October 2014; while 57.1 percent passed the Nursing Assistant Programme.
Fifteen students had their studentship terminated due to poor performance at attempts at the Intermediate Examination held by the General Nursing Council. To date, there are five tutors, 11 support tutors, one Peace Corps Volunteer, one Typist/Clerk, one Librarian, one cleaner and one relief cleaner at the school.
Students at the school regularly benefit from training and workshops held by Ministry of Health; Mental Health and Suicide seminars by a Canadian team; leadership and development sponsored by the Guyana Nurses’ Association; guest lectures by Dr. Ameerally on monitoring and evaluation of patients; LGBT workshops sponsored by United Bricklayers; and Disaster Preparedness by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
BY KAIETEUR NEWS