Professor Simeon Okubiyi of the University of Ilorin has called on nurses to develop strong skills in caring and emotional management to deliver effective practice.
He made the call while delivering a paper titled “Embracing the Art of Caring: Pathway to Effective Nursing” at the first professional induction and convocation ceremony of Mercy College of Nursing Sciences, Iwara-Iwo.
Okubiyi said caring has a major impact on patients’ physical and mental health.
He added that nurses must care for themselves to sustain their ability to care for others.
The professor described caring as a blend of scientific knowledge, compassion, emotional presence and ethical responsibility.
He said it turns nursing from routine tasks into a human-centred profession.
Caring, he noted, is a core clinical skill required by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics.
It involves emotional labour when nurses face patient suffering, so managing personal emotions while staying compassionate is essential.
Okubiyi urged nurses to advocate for patients’ needs and rights, acting as a link between patients, families and healthcare teams.
Provost of Mercy College of Nursing Sciences, Mrs. Elizabeth Bamigbade, told the graduating nurses to listen carefully to patients’ suffering and provide full care.
She highlighted the students’ strong exam results across different sets.
Bamigbade reminded the new nurses that every patient has a unique story with fears, hopes and dreams.
She encouraged them to offer care that covers physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
The event marked the first induction and convocation at the college.
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