Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department

University of Belize
Faculty of Health Sciences
Nursing Department

Mission Statement
To prepare a diverse nursing workforce who are caring, culturally sensitive and culturally competent; and who will model best practices in providing evidence-based care to meet the holistic needs of individuals, families and communities.

Vision Statement
The Department of Nursing aspires to professional excellence in teaching, practice and service by having a community of diverse faculty and students whose collaborative efforts promote excellence in the nursing profession. Our hope is to become a major contributor to nursing research and advancement in health care.

faculty ACTIVITIES

Mrs. Guild's MOH lifetime achievement award

On May 11, 2023, International Nurses Day, the Ministry of Health (MOH) presented Mrs. Cynthia Guild, affectionately known as "Mama Guild," with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' during its Nursing Long Service Awards Ceremony. MOH explained, "Mrs. Guild was an easy pick for the committee as she is well respected and loved by her colleagues, having served forty-five (45) years in the nursing profession and counting" (MOH, 2023).

During her forty-five (45) years of dedicated service, Mrs. Guild has proven herself as an exceptional professional. She has served as the Chair of the Nursing Department and a Clinical Instructor, starting her career at the Bliss School of Nursing and continuing when it amalgamated with the University of Belize (UB). As reported by News 5, Mrs. Guild retired as a clinical instructor in 2013, then returned to work and retired again in late 2022. Yet, in semester 2023, she returned to assist with facilitating the NURS3051P Care of Infants & Children Practicum. Mrs. Guild's unwavering resilience, passion, and wholehearted commitment to the nursing profession and nursing education is greatly appreciated by this Nursing Department. She has undoubtedly left an indelible mark in her field and on students.

Congratulations, Mama Guild. Thank you for your continued service.

"Once they need me and I am able to; I will return." ― Cynthia Guild

"Cynthia Guild, a career nurse of forty-five years, was honored during today’s ceremony with a lifetime achievement award. Guild retired in 2013 as a clinical instructor, returned to service and retired once again earlier this year. But, as her colleagues explained this afternoon, she continues to give of her time and service to the profession" (News 5, 2023, para 1).

Student Activities

The Striping ceremony

The striping ceremony is a valued tradition in nursing schools filled with salient symbols. Often more personally meaningful than the graduation ceremony, it signifies one's initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nursing. This tradition originated during the 12th-century Crusades. During this time, the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist tended to injured and frail Crusaders.

The modern ceremony began in the 1860s when Florence Nightingale received the Red Cross of St. George for her dedicated service during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she, in turn, presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. By 1916, this practice became standard throughout the world.

The striping ceremony was first introduced at the University of Belize in 2019. Third-year BNUR students participate in this rite of passage before commencing their first practicums. During the ceremony, students carry a lamp (or candle), which symbolizes the care and devotion shown to the injured and the sick during nursing practices.