Nearly 200 Nursing Graduates of University of The Bahamas Pledge to Serve with Purpose

Nearly 200 Nursing Graduates of University of The Bahamas Pledge to Serve with Purpose

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — In a world that urgently needs skilled, compassionate healthcare, nearly 200 graduates of the University of The Bahamas’ (UB) School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (SNAHP) graduates are rising to answer the call.

UB held its Spring 2025 SNAHP Pinning Ceremony on Monday, 26^th May at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium, an annual tradition where grads are symbolically welcomed into a noble profession and pledge to serve with compassion and professionalism. The 2025 cadre of 189 persons includes 163 who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, 25 who earned a Diploma in Midwifery, and one who earned a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Eight of the BSN degree grads have already passed their licensure and are practicing nurses.

BSN graduate, Montana Lightbourne, overcame a life-or-death battle with COVID-19 and her mother’s passing from the illness to claim the prize of graduation. Having been placed on a ventilator multiple times, Montana needed a tracheostomy due to severe airway obstruction that left her mute for two years. She overcame extensive physiotherapy to regain her mobility, a 10-hour surgery in 2023 and three subsequent weeks in intensive care to successfully finish her studies, emerging as a hero.

“It’s magnificent,” said Montana, in response to earning the Chair’s Medallion for Clinical Resilience. “I’m just glad I did it. Even though I had challenges, I’m glad I’m done. I had COVID in 2021, and that led me to have a lot of respiratory issues. So, I have a breathing tube that helps me to breathe, and I just work and try to get as better as possible.”

Fellow BSN graduate, Osborne Davis III, expressed elation at not just finally finishing his degree, but breaking stereotypes as one of six male graduates from the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions in the 2025 Commencement Class.

“That’s something that I want to continue to do – break stereotypes,” said Osborne. “The feeling of that is really just, emotions everywhere. I did something that not much males want to do. But, I would like to say to males, nursing isn’t a ‘soft’ field anymore, it’s something you can go and do, where males are needed.”

Christiana Nicholas, who hails from Dominica, said completing her studies at UB fulfilled a dream she has always had.

“I feel great. I’m proud to be having this degree, because I always wanted to be a nurse,” said Christiana. “I celebrated with my big audience today, my Class of 2025, and I’m so proud. It was rough, it wasn’t easy, but we made it to the end. I feel proud to be a UB graduate. I’m very proud.”

Keynote speaker at the pinning ceremony and UB alumna, Dr. Persephone Munnings, a Senior Nursing Officer with over 35 years of experience, encouraged the graduates to make excellence a habit.

“In nursing, excellence must not be confused with perfection,” said Dr. Munnings. “It is every day waking up and showing up with confidence with a commitment to provide the best care to your patients, treating each patient as an individual human being deserving of quality, compassionate care. Excellence involves holding yourself to a standard that inspires others to rise with you, always strive to be better, to learn more, and to help others grow.”

BSN graduate Keanna Carey, in delivering the response on behalf of the graduates, pledged to do just that.

“As we accept our pins we carry more than a symbol of achievement, we carry purpose—the unwavering commitment to serve, passion—the fire that fuels our care, and power—the ability to heal and transform lives,” said Keanna. “Let us remember that nursing is a sacred trust. It is a profession that demands our best, not just in skills but in spirit. As we step forward, let us be guided by empathy, driven by purpose, and inspired by the profound impact we can have in every life we touch.”