The Nursing Services Department of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) on Thursday July 3, 2025, organized an orientation programme for its new set of nursing interns. The event took place at the Florence Nightingale House, Ife Hospital Unit (IHU), Ile-Ife, and aimed to educate the interns on key aspects of professional nursing practice including ethical standards, legal implications in healthcare delivery, and nursing processes required for ward-based care.
In her opening remarks, the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Olabisi Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. John Okeniyi, for his continuous support of the Nursing Services Department. She especially acknowledged his support for this current cohort of interns, the largest the institution has admitted in recent years.
The Chief Medical Director, Prof. John Okeniyi welcomed the interns to the hospital and urged them to remain diligent in the discharge of their duties while upholding the core ethics of the nursing profession. He emphasized the foundational calling of nursing as a caring profession, stating, “Never forget the initial calling, which is caring, regardless of where your career path takes you.”
He also advised the interns to strictly adhere to the established rules and regulations of the profession and avoid any acts that could tarnish their personal reputations or that of the institution. Prof. Okeniyi reiterated that the selection of this cohort was strictly based on merit, and noted that the hospital management made special provisions to admit more interns this year. He further assured them that their stipends would be paid on or before the end of their internship, explaining that current delays are due to nationwide financial constraints.
In her goodwill message, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Josephine Eziyi, congratulated the interns for reaching this important milestone, describing it as a significant achievement for both the interns and their families. She encouraged them to demonstrate peace, resilience, and integrity throughout the course of their training.
The keynote speaker, Head of the Legal Unit, Barr. Oluwatosin Ige, delivered an insightful lecture on the legal implications of healthcare service delivery. She discussed key topics such as patient confidentiality, the right to billing information, refusal of care, and the importance of maintaining quality standards in order to avoid legal entanglements. Two Deputy Directors of Nursing Services, Mrs. Seun Omisore and Mrs. Yetunde Adeoye, delivered lectures on Nursing Ethics and the Nursing Process, respectively.
In her closing remarks on behalf of the interns, Mrs. Victoria Akinwunmi expressed gratitude to the hospital management and Nursing Services Department. She assured them of the group’s commitment to upholding good conduct and being worthy ambassadors of the nursing profession throughout their stay in the institution.
