Father Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., University chaplain and vice president for mission and ministry, blessed the hands of 88 third-year nursing students during a ceremony held Oct. 3 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
This University tradition marks the start of the students’ clinical work with patients.
Marie Nolan, PhD, RN, dean of the Conway School of Nursing, said in remarks: “As you launch out on your first clinical experiences, you are now ‘laying hands’ on patients for the first time. In this Blessing of the Hands Ceremony, we pause to ask for Our Lord’s blessing on your hands and on you as a nurse and healer.”
“A serious illness or sudden injury can be experienced by the patient as a shock," Nolan said. "‘Why can’t I catch my breath? Why can’t I stand up? Who can stop this pain?’ As nurses, our first actions are often to relieve this physical and emotional distress. But as we get to know the patient and who he is as a whole person, there is often an opportunity to provide a deeper and more lasting spiritual comfort.”
Nolan shared an anecdote about David Want, a nurse practitioner and assistant clinical professor at the Conway School of Nursing, whose crucifix on a chain fell out of his scrubs as he cared for a carjacking victim. The patient saw it and began sharing his own faith and fears. Professor Want ended up giving the man the cross to help him during a time of deep distress.
She concluded, “My prayer for you beloved students is that like Dr. Want, you will recognize the tremendous power that you have as nurse and healer to not only promote physical and emotional comfort but also to bring God’s presence and peace to every patient and family entrusted to your care.”
The Conway School’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is ranked in the top 4% of programs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.
