SIBU: Students of Diploma in Nursing at Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) are called to be good nurses who serve with a compassionate heart.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and principal of MPI Dr Lu Huong Ying urged the students to always persevere throughout their three years of training at MPI. She said the journey to become competent nurses in the future would be a long one.
“This year’s International Nurses Day theme is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.’ So, your number one calling when you chose to become a nurse is to save lives.
“All of you are called to be nurses. You are all called to serve with a compassionate heart to save lives, nothing else,” she said.
She also explained that whenever patients woke up from an induced coma after surgery, most likely the first person they saw would be the nurses.
Dr Lu was speaking at the keynote session during MPI’s International Nurses Day 2026 at the campus on May 12, 2026. The celebration was also part of the effort to help these students understand the importance of becoming skilful and dedicated nurses through various activities.
She also said that Florence Nightingale’s story should be a great inspiration to all the nursing students.
Florence Nightingale is a pioneering figure in the field of nursing during the 19th century who revolutionised medical practices through her innovative approaches to healthcare and dedication to improving patient outcomes.
“Florence Nightingale chose to become a nurse at that time because she saw there was so much war at that time and a lot of lives were lost. There were not enough doctors to save those wounded soldiers.
“The nurses did the most important and wonderful job; they bandaged their wounds, washed them and cared for them,” she pointed out.
Dr Lu also reminded the students that if they strive to become good nurses, ample opportunities would await them for them to progress further in their careers.
This would include becoming instructors, lecturers and even professors at the university.
“I would like to see all of you work together and learn from one another and support each other,” she said.
Beyond clinical skills, students were also urged to master the three languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin.
With the plan to design free Mandarin lessons for the students, she challenged them to learn Mandarin.
While this is part of MPI’s effort, she said it is important for the students to be willing to take up this challenge.
“In your daily communication, among yourselves, make an effort to communicate in English,” she said.
In certain contexts, she also urged them to learn to use Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin to communicate.
