A cohort of 288 student nurses graduated from the Free State School of Nursing college, ready to make an impact in public health. They studied through the provincial Department of Health institute, which has campuses in Bloemfontein, Welkom and Qwaqwa.
The department presented their qualifications at a graduation ceremony held in Welkom on 6 June. From the group of 288 graduates, 113 received a higher certificate in Auxilary Nursing, 115 obtained a diploma in General Nursing, and 60 attained a diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery.
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the provincial department, said the 60 was the last group who studied towards a diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery as the programme would be discontinued. He said according to the department’s plan, this group of students was part of the legacy qualification, which is being phased out.
The highlights of the ceremony was the special recognition of students with outstanding results overall. They were presented prestigious awards by both the department and college management.
The recipients were Thatohatsi Selepe and Hlonolofatso Mabe of the eastern campus, Elrin Vester and Luvuyo Ngedani (both Pelonomi), and Reitumetse Chabeli of the southern campus. Selepe received the Dr Mantoa Augustina “Stonko” Mofokeng trophy as the best student for obtaining the highest marks, no less than 65%, in general nursing science modules.
The Samusho NS floating trophy was presented to Vester and Ngedani. Both obtained 91% in theory and practical, ethical and legal practices. Vester also walked away with the Cecilia Makiwane floating trophy as the student who obtained the highest combined marks in theory and practical assessments in basic nursing care.
The Free State School of Nursing floating trophy was awarded to Mabe and Chabeli, who both obtained a score of 88% in theory and practice in biomedical sciences.
