'Nurses play an important role in providing effective healthcare to patients. They should understand the medical and social conditions of every patient fully and show utmost compassion in dealing with people under their care,' said Dr.Mary Sulakshini Immanuel, Former Dean, College of Nursing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, at the 'lamp lighting' and graduation ceremony at Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, South India today.

Incoming nursing students and nurses who graduated from SRU this year, participated in the lamp lighting ceremony which symbolizes the courageous spirit of banishing darkness as displayed by the lady with the lamp, Florence Nightingale, whose compassionate service is a model for nurses.  Appreciating the progress of the faculty of nursing in this medical institution over the last 20 years and several of its faculty members earning doctoral degrees, Dr. Immanuel said the country needs good mentors as teachers to bring out the best of nursing community in the coming years.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor Dr.JSN Murthy said every patient expects good healthcare at an affordable cost and nurses can play a major role in ensuring this by working as a bridge between doctors and patients.  The VC said he was encouraged to see more boys joining the nursing course this year which traditionally is the domain of girls.