Beginning with 50 students in the BSc (Nursing) program ten years ago, the Amrita College of Nursing has now come a long way. Today it is recognized as a major institution of nursing from where over 400 nurses have graduated, and 360 nursing students are currently enrolled. The college currently offers not only B. Sc. (Nursing) but also M. Sc. (Nursing) and Post-Basic B. Sc.(Nursing) programs.
The celebrations began with the ceremonial lamp being lit by Br. Anaghamrita Chaitanya. Prof. C. P. Unnikrishnan, Technical Director, Sree Sankara School of Dance, Kalady was also in attendance, as a guest of honor. Sharing his feelings as a teacher, Prof. C. P. Unnikrishnan stated that the duty of a teacher is to lend a helping hand to the student. “Once the student has gripped the hand of the teacher, it is not difficult to bring the students to the teacher’s side,” he said.
Dr. Krishnamurthy, Registrar, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham also attended the celebrations as a distinguished guest. “Nursing students of Amrita are held in great regard all over the world. We get feedback from hospitals and nursing homes that Amrita nurses are a class apart, because of their commitment and devotion. The credit goes to their mentors who train them to work in this manner,” he stated.
Others who spoke included Dr. Prathapan Nair, Principal, Amrita School of Medicine; Dr. K. N. Unni, Principal, Amrita School of Dentistry; Drs. Sanjeev Singh and S. K. Ramachandran Nair, Senior Medical Administrators, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences; and Dr. Umadethan, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Amrita School of Medicine.
During the event, several extended activities and services of the Amrita College of Nursing were inaugurated. These were called as Ten Point Program as if to mark the ten-year milestone of the college duly announced by Prof. K. T. Moly, Principal, Amrita College of Nursing.
The nursing students paid tribute to the pioneers who had set a tradition of high-quality nursing training in the Amrita College of Nursing, by singing a song. The token of appreciation and gratitude was extended to Sri. A. P. S. Krishnan, Dr. Prem Nair, Sri. M. N. Gopalakrishnan Nair, Sri. Ron Gottsegen and Prof. C. Chandrakanti. The audience were laid back by the glimpses of the documentary presented by the students. A skit was performed, that served to enhance general awareness about nursing services and their importance for society.