‘Hands that heal and hearts that care,’ at nurse capping ceremony

By Christopher Tobutt

“Hands that Heal and Hearts that Care,” was the theme of the Capping, Pinning and Candle-lighting ceremony for five UCCI School of Nursing sophomore students. It was a proud moment indeed, not just for the students, but for everyone in Cayman, as they welcome six new nurses who have dedicated their lives to caring for others.

Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing, Karen Jones was MC for the evening. She invited Pastor Felix Manzanares ask God’s blessing upon the evening, before introducing the School’s Director, Quida Johnson-Shirley who outlined the journey each of the nurses had taken to their capping ceremony, which included two weeks at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Jamaica as a practical to stand alongside their extensive academic study.

Deputy Speaker, Hon Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said, “This event represents a significant milestone in your lives. I commend the UCCI for initiating the nursing programme in 2013 and since then providing high quality nursing education for Caymanians and residents alike.”

President and CEO of UCCI Stacy McAffee said, “Students, we are so proud of you and we marvel at the progress you made on this profound journey.” It was important that we are able to train nurses locally, Ms McAffee, commented, before she quoted Florence Nightingale, the ‘Lady of the Lamp,’ who is widely recognized as a pioneer of the nursing profession,“ ‘Feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into… actions which bring results,’” she said, “Holy scripture reminds us that you are the light of the world…..let your light shine before men that they see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”

Pastor Hyacinth Rose, regarded as a pioneer of the nursing profession in the Cayman Islands, gave the keynote address. “Nursing education is never ended…it should continue exciting and fruitful. Nursing is a unique discipline and you have to keep sharp….nursing is going to be always changing and you have to always keep up,” She said. “No-one should ever discount someone who has dedicated their life to the care of someone else, and no-one should underestimate you….certainly not your community. The caliber of your nursing should never ever be in question. It should be of the highest quality even if conditions are not always ideal. Nurses learn how to improvise without compromise ….hands that heal and hearts that care. this is what you are all about.”

Three of the new nurses presented Ms. Rose with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, in appreciation for all she has done to advance the nursing profession in the Cayman Islands. During the Capping and Pinning ceremony, Oniellia Burrell, Aleek Rose, Meisha Thompson, Josannah Watson, and Timothy Wesley came onstage. Then, each had a symbolic candle, and a little white lamp. The lights were dimmed as a mystery lady, dressed as Florence Nightingale, walked onstage to light each of their candles.