The PMT Health Care Institute on Friday conferred qualifications on 50 students in its first-ever graduation ceremony at the Mecure Hotel in Windhoek.
The students took oath a day earlier.
Director and founder Rutendo Zvidza applauded their determination and success and reminded them to never give up.
She added: “It [success] never comes on a silver platter. It does not come easy. You need to work very hard to attain your goals”.
Zvidza, who has a nursing background, further said her mother, who was also a nurse, taught her that in healthcare, there is no shortcut, that this profession requires honesty and never to take shortcuts at all.
Zvidza noted that the institute is named after Priscilla Monica Tendo, the person who inspired her to become a nurse.
The health training centre was established in 2019, and it has the full approval of the Health Professions Council of Namibia, granted on 10 September 2021. It was accredited by the NQA in November 2022.
The institution offers training towards a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing and Midwifery Science, which is on NQF level 6.
The centre takes in 50 trainees twice a year – in March and September – and it has two branches in Windhoek and one in Rundu.
Six students are currently on scholarships, fully funded by PMT Healthcare Institute, Zvidza announced proudly at the graduation ceremony.
She noted that since the beginning of training, there have been no significant threats to the programme, except for a few students who have occasionally needed prompting for them to work harder.
Also speaking at the event, senior health programme officer Melody Mufalali said nurses must be enthusiastic, motivated and determined.
She explained: “Nursing is not only a profession; rather, it enables nurses to apply skills for the benefit of those whom they serve, and to be compassionate towards those who would call them life savers”.
Therefore, nurses should love the people they are treating, said Mufafali.
She added: “Despite what you have so far learned, may I take this opportunity to encourage you to continue seeking more information and knowledge to keep yourself abreast of the current medical and nursing trends. This will enable you to keep yourself relevant and improve the quality of your services”.