Media Release
Bengaluru, March 10: Dr K S Ravindranath, vice chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, has cautioned against progressive decline in nursing education in the state. Dr Ravindranath who was the chief guest at the college day and graduation ceremony at St Martha’s College of Nursing, Bengaluru recently, called upon the young women for courage, commitment and dedication towards the profession.
The exciting phase of competition and changing facet of formation have to be admitted and acquiesced in. The VC urged the students to be prepared to serve the society, make sacrifice and to put in hard work to strive towards success.
While addressing the students, he exhorted them to be compassionate to the patients, lighting up their lives by alleviating the darkness of pain and suffering. Nurses could revive the sick, educate the patients, to be samaritans, focus on sanitation, hygiene and healthcare. The VC, a doctor with vast experience in varying fields, advocated all round growth, development of talents and engaging in extra curricular activities.
Holding in high regard the moral courage of the elderly and the parents, he appealed to the young professional aspirants to look after and care for them. The teachers who imparted values need to be indebted to and beholden for.
Many colleges and institutions have no sufficient faculties and adequate facilities, face difficulties, albeit, St Martha’s institution is different and an exception in all aspects. St Martha’s is well known inside and outside the state and country.
The VC with long innings in the field of health stressed upon both the practical and theoretical features of the learning process. This profession calls for team work whether nurses or doctors as all need support of each other, he pointed out. Dr Ravindran who was a cardiologist for decades said, “We will get respect and recognition once we excel in profession with experience and execute talents with an undivided mind. Professional ethics and values to be followed.
The vice chancellor informed the packed audience comprising parents, teachers, students, staff and special invitees that the undue delay in announcing results to be changed. He would take measures to engage modern facilities and digital process to achieve the goal. While on dais, a call on his mobile, did the trick. The results of both first and second year BSc nursing were announced just at that time. The principal could not include the results of these two batches in her annual report, saying, “The results were not out.”
Earlier, the programme began with lighting the lamp by the dignitaries. The theme of the day was ‘Empowering women through quality nursing education.’
This was the 82nd graduation and annual day celebrations of St. Martha’s College of Nursing. Eighty five students graduated, taking the health care to different parts of the world.
Talented, young nursing students showcased their talents in the form of variety of dances, skits and singing, making the event truly colourful.
Director, Mr. Jaikar Jerome (IAS), Sr. Prameela, Superior and president of St. Martha’s Hospital Society; Medical superintendent Dr. Ravindranath, Nursing Superintendent; Sr. Naomi Mascarenhas graced the occasion.
Principal, Sr. Shanty, presented The College Day Report for the Year 2014-15.
Annual day celebration is an apt time to share the achievement and vision of the institute with the parents and well-wishers, in short with all who care about the institution. Therefore, with a spirit of gratitude, I now present the annual report of the School and College of Nursing for the year 2014-2015.
The School of Nursing has completed 82 years & the College of Nursing 17 years of splendid service in the field of nursing education. The college continued its pursuit towards academic excellence all these years. The College of Nursing is affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing to the Karnataka State Diploma in Nursing Examination Board and is recognized by the Indian Nursing Council and Karnataka State Nursing Council.
Being one of the oldest nursing colleges, the college is blessed with a dedicated team of well qualified and experienced nursing teachers, supportive staff and enthusiastic young students who keep the motto of the college shining bright. The senior faculty members have been entrusted with various responsibilities both by KNC, university and Board. Our college is an examination centre for both Degree and Diploma.
ADMISSIONS FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR:
Making quality admissions to nursing profession has become ever more challenging today. St Martha’s family was happy to welcome 60 BSc and 40 GNM students for the academic year 2013–14, based on a competent entrance examination and interview.
CLINICAL TRAINING AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:
Clinical training is the core of nursing education and is vital for the preparation of a professional nurse. Therefore, we ensure that a good grounding is given to our students in the clinical field in our Parent Hospital which is 535 bedded with a history of 129 years of compassionate service to the ailing humanity. The students are under the close supervision by a team of dedicated, well qualified and experienced faculty in the clinical areas.
They are trained to provide health care at the grass root level through community health nursing training both in urban slums and in rural community. The urban community health nursing training is provided in the slums of Arundhadi Nagar, Bypanahalli and Doddanna Nagar. Rural community health training is conducted in the villages in and around Utharahalli with good hostel facilities.
Library
A well-furnished library with 5953 books, e-journals, magazines and newspapers are a boost to their drive to learn.
Examinations and Results:
Nothing comes as an accomplishment instantly and success does not come overnight. It requires hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. Our students have burned their midnight candles in preparing themselves to acquire knowledge and translate them into action and God has blessed their efforts.
The results of the B Sc nursing degree course conducted by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health sciences for the year 2013-2014 were;
Ist year and IInd year results are yet to be announced by the university.
IIIrd year - 100% with 33 first classes and16 distinctions.
IVth year -100% with 37 first classes and14 distinctions.
The results for the diploma in general nursing and midwifery course for the year 2013-2014 were:
I st Year - 90% with 5 first classes and 1 distinction
II nd Year - 90% with 13 first classes and 1 distinction
III rd Year - 100% with 27 first classes
My sincere appreciation to our students for their hard work in spite of the hours they spent in bedsides nursing and co-curricular activities. Congratulations dear students.
Teaching faculty and faculty enhancement programme:
Education is a shared commitment between dedicated teachers, motivated students and supportive parents. My sincere appreciation to the teaching staff of the college for their commitment, dedication and love with which they train these young students to responsible, efficient and competent nurses. Their untiring effort in the face of challenges is indeed commendable.
A strong pillar of support is the non teaching staff of the college. I am indebted to each of them for their loyalty and dedication.
Faculty also keep themselves abreast of the current developments in the field of medicine and nursing. Monthly staff development programmes, workshops and seminars are a boost for their quest for keeping themselves updated.
With the combined effort of the teachers, the college was able to release the nursing procedure manual in order to ensure uniformity in performing nursing procedures across the hospital and thus maintain the highest standards of nursing care.
We conducted the workshop on OSCE in collaboration with RGUHS to enhance the skills of teachers across the state of Karnataka in conducting the clinical examination in an objective manner.
We are also in the process of upgrading the college by starting MSC nursing programme which will be commenced during the next academic year.
Student Nurses Association (SNA)
The student nurses association indeed is a dynamic body of the college, keeping their spirits soaring high through various activities. The panel of SNA executives under the leadership of Pheba K Alex, were able to keep the SNA united, creative and enthusiastic throughout the year. The SNA won many prizes in the inter college competitions. My appreciation and gratitude to the SNA advisors Dorothy and Sr Regi Philip for their tremendous support and guidance to the students beyond their call of duty hours.
National service Scheme (NSS)
‘One life to live, one life to give’. Our students have certainly understood the value of service to the less privileged. Their tenderness, generosity and empathy are translated into action through their various activities under NSS. Two blood donation camps, five school health programs, two health camps and nine health awareness programs were conducted throughout the year. Differently abled children and street children too were taken care through regular visits.
Health teaching on various topics and annual health checkup for the street children too were done.
Members of the red ribbon club, a sub section of NSS are indeed enthusiastic in spreading awareness on HIV/ AIDS to high school children and village youth. Here I acknowledge the contributions of NSS coordinator Maria and student in-charge, Priyanka Fernandes.
Awards and scholarships:
I am grateful to the many benefactors of this institution. Financial assistance was available to meritorious students from less well-off families. Such students were given scholarships or interest-free loan scholarships. Over 40 students are currently receiving these scholarships. To mention a few;
1. The late Cassey Sisters Scholarship
2. The late Lucy Mascarenhas’s Scholarship
3. Cherish an NGO’s fund for the students from rural Karnataka
4. Benny Rodrigues’s general fund
5. Shobana memorial trust general fund
Our benefactors also made it possible to encourage merit-based students, by instituting awards and scholarships for creditable performance, both in academic and in extra-curricular activities.
To mention a few:
Dr Ida Gonsalves Cash Award for the best outgoing and runner-up students of B Sc nursing degree course.
The Professor R K Zutshi and Dhanwati Zutshi Cash Award for the best outgoing and runner-up students of diploma in nursing.
Aleyamma Varghese Trophy and cash award for the best student nurse in clinical excellence
Violet Shobana shield for the best GNM student in OBG nursing.
The Lorna Raymond Trophy for B Sc student who secures highest marks in the degree course
The Margaret Ryan Trophy for the best social worker of the year
The Sangliana Trophy for the 'Most Smiling Nurse' of the year.
Such awards were a source of great encouragement to our students to strive for all-round excellence.
Acknowledging the contribution of others:
I am grateful to Sr Hilda and Sr Kripa, hostel wardens for taking the role of mothers in ensuring a pleasant stay at the hostel during their training period.
I am indebted to MSFS fathers from Vinayalaya community, Fr Luke, the hospital chaplain and the Salesian fathers for the love and concern with which they take care of the spiritual needs of the students.
My thanks are due to Dr Ravindranath, medical superintendent and all our doctors of the various departments of the hospital, especially Dr Nita Appaiah and her team of doctors in medical unit II, who took care of the health needs of our students.
A special thanks to Dr B S Giridhar, head of the department, general surgery for organizing classes for our students by doctors from various departments of our hospital.
I thank Srs Deepa and Naomi Mascarenhas, nursing superintendents, the ward sisters and staff nurses for their wholehearted cooperation in training the students in the clinical areas and thus enhancing their nursing skill.
I take great pleasure in expressing my heartfelt gratitude to Sr Prameela, president of St Martha’s Hospital Society and Jayakar Jerome, director, for their love, support and care for our students, the keen interest they take in the growth of the institution.
I acknowledge the hard work of all the past principals and faculty members of the college under whose able administration, exceptional teaching capabilities and unmatchable commitment, the college has flourished and been nurtured. It is the result of their untiring efforts and strong support that today we have inherited this legacy.
To conclude,St Martha’s college of nursing has made significant contributions to the field of nursing education over eight decades. The nurses passed out from the portals of this institution are much sought after all over the world and have brought much reputation to the college. They have held high, the torch given to them by their alma mater and have proved to be the guardians of the institution’s high traditions.
In profound gratitude, I acknowledge the guiding hand of Jesus the good shepherd in the life of each member of this institution. We acknowledge His support and unconditional love, and bringing our plans and purposes to completion.
With these words, I close the report of the college for the year 2014. Thank you for your attentiveness and may God bless you all!
In the beginning, Sereena Shaji, in her welcome speech, invoking God’s blessings said, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being (Revelation 4:11).”
She said, “This was so precious a moment for us because, aside from the fact that this function underlines our institution’s successful completion of one more year in its realm of imparting education, this dais is also going to witness the showcasing of talents of the young nurses and the prize-giving ceremony to the best students in the various spheres.”
Introducing the chief guest, Sereena said, “Dr K S Ravindranath is an eminent cardiologist, professor of cardiology at Sri Jayadeva Institute of cardiovascular sciences and has been appointed as the seventh vice chancellor of the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka and assumed his charge on July 14, 2014 at RGUHS.
Born in Khandenahally Palya Village in Chitradurga District, he has had his professional education MBBS, MD (general medicine), DM (cardiology) and DNB (cardiology) during 1979 to 1993.
He has 31 years of teaching experience after his post-graduation in various capacities at different institutions.
He has been the professor of cardiology for 14 years and worked as professor and head, deptartment of cardiology at Bangalore Medical College from 2000 - 2001, and at Sri Jayadeva Institute of cardiovascular sciences, Bengaluru from 2002 – 2014.
He has several awards and fellowships to his credit, such as:
Fellow of American College of Cardiology 2013 at San Francisco, USA, Fellow of indian college of Cardiology.
Dr K S S Appa Presidential Oration 2013 (Cardiological Society of India).
P M Nayak Memorial Oration by Cardiological Society of India, Karnataka chapter 2011.
Dr B C Roy Award 2011 by Government of Karnataka.
Nadachethana Award by Rangachethana for his contribution in medical services (2008 – 2009).
He has presented scientific papers and participated as invited faculty in several national and international conferences and also written good number of chapters in reputed text books and reference books in cardiology.
Dr Ravindranath has over 50 international publications and 7 national publications at his credit.
He has also been the president of Indian College of Cardiology 2012-13, president elect and chairman scientific committee, Indian College of Cardiology 2012,past secretary, Indian College of Cardiology and past vice-president, Indian College of Cardiology.
She also welcomed Sr Prameela, superior and president of St Martha’s Hospital Society for the day’s function. Sister had been actively associated with all the initiatives of the institution and without whose cooperation, organizing any event would not have been possible.
Sereena welcomed Jaikar Jerome, director, SMH and Sr Shanty Chacko, principal, College of Nursing, St Martha’s Hospital, whose inventiveness, attentiveness and sympathy for every concern, large or small, keeps this place running smoothly. “We salute your commitment to the cause of imparting quality nursing education, the constant effort to improve, upgrade and review by adopting best practices, and above all your vision — a vision for high quality education for students of all backgrounds.”
Medical superintendent, Dr Ravindranath, nursing superintendent Sr Naomi Mascarenhas and all other members of hospital management were also welcomed.
Doctors, ward and departmental in charges, hostel warden Sr Kripa, hospital chaplain Fr Luke, Sisters of Good shepherd Community, fathers, sisters, benefactors and well-wishers, were also offered a welcome.
The parents and members of the families of all the graduating students were felicitated and complimented them for providing their children with the guidance to withstand the pressures of a very demanding course at this institution and come out with flying colours. “Your presence here underscores the support you give us by sharing our spirit and enthusiasm.”
As bounden duty, she remembered to extend a hearty welcome to the students, their guardians and worthy parents to their own programme.