FOR Cathy Diko, life as a medical nurse has been a remarkable journey. She currently lives and works as a community health consultant in her remote province of Choiseul in the Western region of Solomon Islands.
This year, she graduated with a certificate award of ‘Bachelor of Nursing Primary health Care’ from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
Speaking recently to Solomon Women Newspaper after an official graduation ceremony held at the Maranatha Hall in Honiara, Mrs Diko described her academic achievement as an ambition she had longed to achieve as a qualified medical worker in the country.
“I am very happy and proud of what I have achieved through these years of academic studies under the Bachelor of Nursing Primary health Care program at the country’s first National University.
“Am 50 years-old and as for someone older like me; it has been the most accomplished journey in my career as a woman nurse in the country.
“I strongly believe that my achievement is another milestone in my nursing career and more especially as somebody who works in improving the healthy wellbeing of the remote and rural communities in the country.
“Therefore I chose this program because of my field working as a community health nurse,” she added.
According to the Solomon Islands National University, the Bachelor degree programme is a 4-year programme for full time students and 8 years for part time students. The Bachelor of Nursing offers three majors; Acute Care, Primary Health and Midwifery.
“Therefore, the enrolment into the Bachelor of Nursing does not occur until students have completed the Diploma in Nursing or equivalent and have completed 2 years RN practice. Registered nurses can be awarded 360 credit points from a level 6 Diploma in Nursing or equivalent.
“This programme is to produce well educated, competent graduates who have: advanced knowledge, skills and practice required to show leadership in the safe and effective delivery of nursing care to individuals, families and communities in the Solomon Islands and academic ability to proceed to postgraduate of education and to contribute in a meaningful manner to health development in the Solomon Islands,” established under the School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.
Mrs Diko also celebrated her achievement with the immediate members of her family after the graduation ceremony.
“Am a mother of three children and being able to undertake nursing studies has been a real challenge for me.
“Therefore, am proud that to have balanced by commitment with my studies and also played my roles and responsibilities as a mother at the same time; after all my big sense of gratitude goes to my family. I believe they have rendered me the greatest support all throughout the course period of my studies in Honiara.
“With this achievement, it would definitely help me in my career and more especially to contribute very well to the betterment and improvement of the standard of health in Solomon Islands.
“To all young women out there I would like to encourage you all to never give up in your studies and careers. Always aim to achieve high,” she added.
