Serve diligently, not for awards: Nightingale Awardee
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 03 2025: National Florence Nightingale Award recipient, JNIMS nursing officer Leimapokpam Ranjita urged fellow nurses not to seek recognition but to carry out their duties with sincerity and a strong sense of responsibility.

She was speaking at a felicitation ceremony held in her honour at JNIMS auditorium on Thursday, organised by Trained Nurses Association, JNIMS.

During the event, Ranjita highlighted the crucial role of clinical nurses in patient care, noting that the highest standard of service to patients should be the guiding principle for every nurse.

She added that all nurses at the hospital are performing exceptional duties and are equally deserving of the award.

However, she drew the authorities' attention to the manpower shortage at JNIMS, pointing out that while ideally one nurse should attend to a maximum of three patients, in reality, three to five nurses are often tasked with caring for as many as 40 patients.

"This sometimes leads to patient dissatisfaction and undue blame on nurses by authority," Ranjita reasoned.

She also stressed the need for a standard operating procedure for nursing duties, noting that the challenges faced by nurses are often overlooked by the authorities and that they are frequently subjected to scolding despite their efforts.

Reflecting on her achievement, Ranjita said that she did not pursue the nursing profession for awards.

Since her student days and early career as a staff nurse, she has been committed to her duties.

After receiving the award from President Droupadi Murmu recently, she expressed her intention to mentor junior nurses and guide them to ensure that someone from JNIMS wins the award every year.

She urged nurses not to seek recognition but to serve patients with sincerity and a sense of responsibility.

Ranjita pledged to dedicate the remainder of her service to bringing more laurels to JNIMS and continuing to care for patients.

JNIMS nursing superintendent Mutum Jibanlata, who presided over the function, said that the institute is proud to have such a dedicated and committed nurse among its staff.

She encouraged junior nurses to follow Ranjita's example by improving their skills and performing their duties with dedication and compassion.

She also informed that the government provides a two-year extension of service to award-winning nurses in recognition of their contribution, so that such exemplary individuals can serve longer.

Deputy nursing superintendent S Memi attended the event as chief guest, and former Florence Nightingale Award recipient Y Sarija was present as guest of honour.

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