St John of God Hospital recently hosted a graduation ceremony to honour 13 talented graduates from the Class of 2020, who have now completed their Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing at University College Dublin (UCD). This celebration was a significant moment for the graduates, their families, and the hospital community.
With a proud history of nursing education spanning nearly 100 years, St John of God Hospital has been at the forefront of shaping mental health nursing in Ireland. In 1925, we established the country’s first psychiatric nursing school on our grounds, laying the foundation for excellence in mental health nursing. Today, this legacy continues through a close collaboration with UCD, where students undertake the academic component of their training while gaining practical experience through clinical placements at St John of God Hospital and other specialist services.
Over the past four years, these graduates completed their primary clinical placement with us, gaining hands-on experience across services such as child and adolescent mental health, dementia care, eating disorder recovery, and intellectual disabilities. Central to their success was the unwavering guidance and support of the Nurse Practice Development Team, preceptors, Clinical Nurse Managers, and the wider clinical staff at the hospital and associated placement sites.
Speaking at the ceremony, CEO Damien O'Dowd highlighted their accomplishments, saying:
"You have successfully achieved your goal of completing your Bachelor of Honours Degree in Mental Health Nursing. The commitment that you have shown is admirable and will serve you well in the future. Keep the values of hospitality, respect, and compassion close to your heart, and they will assist you in meeting the needs of those you encounter throughout your career."
As these newly qualified nurses embark on their professional journeys, they carry forward not only their education and skills but also the profound values instilled throughout their time with St John of God Hospital. This cohort represents the continuation of a proud tradition of mental health nursing education, grounded in nearly a century of commitment to excellence and compassionate care.
We are immensely proud to have been part of their training and wish the Class of 2020 every success as they begin their careers.
