Rwamagana School of Nursing and Midwifery has finally passed out its first graduates, with 226 nurses awarded diplomas in general nursing, among other disciplines.The majority of the graduates at Tuesday’s maiden ceremony had been waiting for awards of their diplomas since the first intake completed its one-year course in 2009.The Principal, Sr Epiphanie Mukabaranga, said the graduates were prepared to make positive contribution in healthcare."I have no doubt that the skills acquired here will be beneficial to the communities that you are going to serve. It is our goal to produce quality nurses and midwives to serve in our health centres and hospitals,” Sr Mukabaranga said."These graduates studied how our healthcare system works and what our communities need to be as healthy as possible.”Mariane Kiberinka, one of the graduates, said the role of nurses in improving the quality of healthcare is central to economies.The school was established in 1962 by the Bernardine Cistercian Sisters and shortly afterward started offering nursing education of A3 level (auxiliary nurses).Since 1966 it had upgraded only to offer certificates (A1).