By Exanne Joy F. Cristobal
| NOT ALL ANGELS HAVE WINGS, SOME WEAR CLINICAL UNIFORMS: CNM students along with their instructors pose with pride and satisfaction as they celebrate another milestone of their journey as student nurses. |
With the theme “Medium of Empowerment Excellence and Integrity, Pillarican Nurses Soaring on through the New Normal”, a total of 101 student nurses from Level 2 (99 students) and Level 3 (2 students) wearing white clinical uniforms with nameplates on it, received their pins and caps during the 16th Capping, Pinning and Candle Lighting Ceremony of OLPC-C College of Nursing and Midwifery, held at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church, Cauayan City, Isabela last December 7, 2022.
A ceremony with one of the most numbered candidates in the department’s history, celebrating the student nurses’ success as they are already halfway to becoming a licensed one.
The program started with a eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Ian Kenneth Mamauag who reminded the students of the importance of prayer and that they must be a nurse who will make God the center of their lives while saving others’ lives.
“I hope that you will not forget and you will not be ashamed to pray for your patients. When patients are there, all the more that they need to hear the word of God. Don’t just bring them medicines, bring them prayers. Assure them of your prayers because only God can give them true healing. Only God can pacify their wounded, sick and troubled heart,” said Rev. Fr. Mamauag during his homily.
After the mass, the official program started with a processional where the student nurses, together with their guardians marched on the aisle of the red carpet with the honor guards from the Criminology department who formed an arch of swords for the grand entrance. The Vice President of Academic Affairs, Franklin Soriano, Ph.D delivered his welcome speech for the ceremony.
One of the important parts of the program was the message of the guest speaker, Kimberly Jeane Rosario-Lazaro, RN, MD, a CNM Batch 2010 alumni, wherein she narrated how her failures became a success as a result of her fighting spirits.
“Even a little progress is still a progress. I want you guys to congratulate yourselves for not giving up in every hardship. Every sleepless night just to pass the exams…these difficulties are just part of your progress; these difficulties are part of the process, so congratulate yourselves,” emphasized Dra. Lazaro as she ended her speech.
The main highlight of the ceremony was the donning of caps and pins for the 101 candidates presented by Judith Villanueva, RN, MSN after Florence Nightingale’s parade and lighting of the big lamp portrayed by Ms. Loverence Lao, RN, one of the clinical instructors. The donning of caps and pins, candle lighting, and receiving of tokens for the candidates were also assisted by dean with the clinical instructors from the school and partnered hospitals such as Isabela United Doctors Medical Center, Ester R. Garcia Medical Center, and Cauayan Medical Specialists Hospital
Students also performed during the ceremony such as Jelly Ann Edralin from Level 2A who sang the Philippine Nursing Association Hymn; Shane Bautista from Level 2B who gave her speech for the student’ testimony; and Exanne Joy Cristobal from Level 2A who sang the tribute song “Glowing Inside” by Nikki Gil, which the students used as a time to give a bouquet of flowers to their guardians as a sign of gratitude for their unending love and support throughout their journey.
Lastly, the ceremony ended as the candidates sang their batch song “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, led by Charisse Bell Solamillo from Level 2B. This was after the closing remark of the CNM Dean, Ruby V. De Luna RM, RN, MSN who inspired the students with her message, reminding them to never give up and keep on chasing their dreams for one day, they will receive the fruits of their works.