Eighty students of the College of Nursing in Jeddah, part of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, as well as 10 students of other medical fields celebrated their graduation under the slogan “Our country needs us, and we are proud to be nurses” on Sunday at Westin Hotel Jeddah.
The graduation ceremony was held under the auspices of Princess Hessa Al-Shaalan, who gave the new graduates their certificates, and supervised by Dr. Tagwa Yousif Omar, dean of the College of Nursing in Jeddah.
The newly graduated Saudi nurses said they had chosen this noble profession because they wanted to serve their country and people with dignity, dedication, honor and self-esteem. They pledged to make a difference and elevate the image of Saudi nurses.
“It’s very difficult to be a nurse, but Saudi Arabia needs Saudi nurses. As we know the culture and tradition of the country, we can communicate better than nurses from other countries. Moreover, we want to change the image the Saudi society has of this noble profession with our hard work and care,” said Eman Al-Othabi, one of the graduated nurses.
Waid Aseel said that she chose the profession to serve the country and nation, although, she stated, there were still a number of obstacles and challenges in this profession. Nevertheless, according to Aseel, the nurses are optimistic and ready to change the face of the country with their hard work and services.
“I am proud to be a nurse, as the Saudi hospitals need us and we will help them. One day the public will see Saudi nurses in all hospitals of the Kingdom,” she added.
Dr. Sabah Abu Zinadah, consultant at the nursing college in Jeddah and National Guard Health Affairs, explained the obstacles and challenges for the Saudi nurses in the field, among others the combination of work and social life. Other obstacles are availability of foreign nurses, transportation issues, night shifts and long working hours.
“We need to obtain laws and regulations according to international standards in support of nurses. In other countries, part time jobs and job sharing are available for nurses, but over here we don’t have such system,” she said. “A gap has accumulated between the new graduates and the administration in the clinical area, because the latter doesn’t understand their issues, whereas new graduates need some time to prove themselves. However, society always criticizes them,” said Zinadah.
In the Arab world, recognition and external motivation is not available. Zinadah advised graduated nurses to be patient, persistent and self-motivated.
She also said there is a need of a nursing council where the voice of Saudi nurses can be heard, and Saudi nurses need to be represented in government and public sectors.
Dr. Bandar Abdulmuhsin Al-Qinawy, director of the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and executive general manager of the National Guard Health Affairs, said that nursing is a humanitarian profession that deserves appreciation and interest. The Saudi nurses, he said, are providing their best in this profession and are capable to reap success, receive recognition and encouragement.
He also said the nursing profession is a cornerstone in the field of medical services. There is no doubt that the Saudi nurses have been able to stand up and make their distinct identity.
Saudi nurses dedicated to serve humanity
