Nursing students have been charged to explore opportunities beyond the traditional healthcare settings and embrace opportunities in other sectors of the economy.
The charge was made during the inaugural Nightingale Summit with the theme: ‘Beyond the Scrub’ held on Saturday at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ogbomoso, Oyo.
The convener of the event and final-year nursing student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Obafemi Arowosegbe, stated that the summit ─ which is set to become an annual event ─ aimed at empowering and inspiring nursing students and professionals to explore opportunities beyond the healthcare settings and seeking ways to revolutionalise the nursing profession.
Arowosegbe added that the event ─ which attracted nursing students from the College of Nursing Sciences, Bowen University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and the University of Ilorin ─ also aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration among nursing students and professionals at home and in the diaspora.
“This summit will be a cornerstone event in the nursing calendar, evolving each year to address new challenges and opportunities, creating a platform that inspires nursing students and nurses to explore opportunities and make significant impacts beyond the hospital settings,” he said.
Speakers at the event, the majority which included nurses, were Dr Zaccheus Opeyemi, Ojo Mojoyinola, Busari Imoleayo, Tobi Adewumi, Elizabeth Oshinaike, Kumi Sarah, George Onyinyechi, and Omosebi Oluwasefunmi.
The speakers shared insights on topical issues, including education, leadership, content creation, technology integration, social impact initiatives, social media optimisation, networking, and real estate.
Delivering her lecture, Mojoyinola Ojo noted that leadership involves setting visions and achieving collective goals with charisma and integrity.
Ojo emphasised the importance of self-development and the ability to take responsibility for others, adding, “Nursing leadership is not a rank, but a responsibility.”
Dr Akingbade stressed that the nursing profession could be filled with challenges but should be continually regarded as an assignment that could lead to global opportunities, adding, “Challenges are the breakfast of champions.”
Akingbade also stressed the need to uphold the vision to transform the nursing profession, unlock opportunities, and empower nurses to make a profound influence in the healthcare sector and beyond.
Some participants stated that the summit was a thought-provoking experience that challenged their assumptions and broadened their perspectives.
Some others said they were inspired by the passion and expertise of the speakers and participants and appreciated the opportunity to connect with others who shared their interests and goals.
“The Nightingale Summit was a valuable and enriching experience I would recommend to others. I look forward to applying the insights and leveraging the connections I made at the event to drive positive change and impact in my work,” one of the participants said.
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