In the presence of various medical authorities, FSP Superior General Sr. Antonieta Bruscato recently launched the new 3-year nursing course now offered by Queen of Apostles Hospital (located in Albano Laziale on the outskirts of Rome), in collaboration with Rome’s Tor Vergata University.
Those who complete the course will receive a Laurea (the equivalent of a Master’s Degree) in Nursing. In her inaugural speech, Sr. Antonieta said to the many students who filled the hospitals Thecla Merlo Conference Room: “As I look at you this afternoon, my predominant sentiment is admiration: I admire your courage to dedicate yourself to the nursing profession-a service that calls for great responsibility and love because it means accompanying all those who suffer. It means taking their pain on your shoulders. It means assisting the whole person, with great respect for his/her dignity. I hope that none of you felt obliged to pursue this course of study. Some time ago I read that nursing is not one of the favored professions here in Italy. So I am sure that all of you who are enrolled in this first term made this decision in complete freedom, aware of what you were undertaking, in the effort to respond to a particular ‘call’ in life. By means of your words and actions, may you be signs of the merciful love of God, bending down to assist all those who suffer.”