Nurses have been challenged to promote the highest possible standard of practice, and encourage professional development and educational advancement for nurses.
“Continue to ensure all people irrespective or nationality, race, colour or social origins have optimal nursing care,” said Airport Authority human resources manager, Olive Forbes.
She was speaking during the Nurses Association of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas’ installation of officers on Monday, January 15, 2007.
“The world is ever changing so be forceful to enunciate the standards of nursing and promote their implementation,” she said. “You must stimulate and encourage proficiency among nurses and please, continue to participate in the national healthcare campaign.”
Ms Forbes called on nurses to examine how important their career is to them.
“Are nurses living up to the duties and responsibilities of their vocation?” she asked. “How do nurses care for their patients? Are you showing love on a daily basis to patients? And are you really truly prepared for the unexpected?
“Nursing should be a calling because if you do not like people, and some do not, then you would definitely not like sick people. You see, if nursing is a calling, then you would love what you are doing.”
The executive team includes president, Prescola Rolle; first vice president, Stephanie Poitier; second vice president, Rebecca Johnson; treasurer, Rosemarie Josey; assistant treasure, Dominique Rox.
The standing committee chairpersons for 2006 – 2008 are standards/practice committee, Karol Mackey; education/research, Persephone A. Munnings; socio-economic welfare, Stacey A. Dean; membership, Leisl Pennerman; and public relations, D. Enika Johnson
Outgoing president Ampusam Symonette said the new executive team “is a vibrant one.”
The Association has been around since 1947 and has about 375 members. The membership is made up of Registered and Clinical Nurses.
The Association is the premier voice for the profession. It promotes excellence, and also influences policies through local, regional and international networks, Mrs Symonette explained.
It is a part of the regional Caribbean Nursing Organisation and the International Council of Nursing (ICN) which directs nursing policies around the world.
When the World Health Assembly meets with all the Ministers of Health, Mrs Symonette said, there is representation from the ICN, and because the Bahamas is a member of that body, whatever decisions are made affects the country.