Another cohort of nursing students is saying goodbye to the halls of the University of Zielona Góra. On Wednesday, July 16, the graduation ceremony for first-cycle (Bachelor’s) nursing students took place – the traditional Capping Ceremony. A total of 50 students completed the Nursing program in the 2024/2025 academic year. Forty-two of them took part in the celebration and symbolically marked the end of their studies at UZ – and the beginning of their professional journey.
The Capping Ceremony is, above all, a culmination of three years of hard work for future nurses.
– These were years full of learning, but it was all worth it. We must remember, however, that a good nurse should possess great empathy and always be guided by the heart, said Jagna Witrylak, a graduate of the Nursing program at UZ.
What else should nurses keep in mind? A few words of advice for their professional path were offered by Dr. Bartosz Kudliński:
– A modern nurse is not only someone with extensive knowledge and clinical skills. Above all, they are individuals who bring compassion, care, and understanding to their work. Professionalism also means a commitment to continuous development, staying up to date with the latest medical procedures and technologies. Nurses must also master clear communication, assertiveness, mental resilience, and the ability to cope with stress. They will work under pressure, face suffering, death, and emotionally challenging situations – and to carry that burden, they must also take care of their own mental health, emphasized the Vice-Dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – Collegium Medicum UZ.
Among this year’s 50 graduates, there was just one male nurse.
– It’s still a female-dominated profession. Three of us started the program, but I’m the only one who made it through. The girls were supportive – we helped each other along the way. We must always remember to be empathetic human beings, a source of support for our patients, said Kacper Dawid, a Nursing graduate from UZ.
Nursing remains one of the most popular programs at the University of Zielona Góra. During this year’s recruitment process, five candidates applied for each available spot.
– The interest is enormous. Clearly, this profession holds prestige. But above all, it is a service to others. It requires deep empathy and a sense of responsibility. We are pleased that so many choose to study here with us. Today, I wish them that their dream of becoming a nurse comes true – and that once they enter the medical profession, their experience will match their expectations, added Dr. habil. Barbara Literska, UZ Professor and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Education.
The Capping Ceremony has been a proud tradition at the University of Zielona Góra for the past fifteen years.
