– Min. Cummings urges nurses

AT a time when Guyana, like some Caribbean countries, has lost valuable skills to the international markets, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings is urging nurses to stay and serve their country with dignity.

“The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Health is currently exploring initiatives and refining strategies that seek to enhance the working conditions of our nurses, so as to retain them in our Public Healthcare System. I urge you to serve your country conscientiously so that we can continue to improve the whole healthcare system, exponentially,” Minister Cummings said.

The junior public health minister at the time was delivering the feature address during the University of Guyana (UG) Bachelors of Nursing Programme Annual Award Ceremony at Tower Suites, on Saturday, under the theme “We will be the Change.”
Speaking directly to the 24 nursing graduates, Minister Cummings urged that they perform their duties at the highest level, while warning them never to bring the notable profession into disrepute.

She also used the opportunity to underscore the importance of specialisation, noting that while the Guyana School of Nursing produces an outstanding batch of trained, highly skilled and qualified nurses on a yearly basis, there are opportunities for nurses to become experts in various fields within the profession.

“There is an emerging need for more specialised nursing, particularly with a holistic nursing approach, in our public health system, which means that numerous opportunities will be forthcoming for our nurses,” the junior public health minister noted.

She said the Public Health Ministry is cognisant of the fact that many nurses in Guyana work in community settings such as hospitals, clinics, schools, walk-in health centres or prisons in mainstream areas of the nursing practice, but again assured that continuous development in public health will create a window of opportunities for nurses.

MORE SPECIALISED TRAINING
“Nurses already specialise in areas such as outpatients, accident and emergency, operating theaters, and neonatal care. But there is a need for more specialised nursing in areas such as mental health and neurology,” she added.

Specialised nursing training will soon become a reality in Guyana, Minister Cummings reassured, while stating that the Public Health Ministry will be working with the University of Guyana to explore ways in which specialised nursing programmes can be realised.

Coordinator of the University’s Nursing Programme, Afesha Leacock-Marshall, in delivering the Annual Report for the Academic Year 2016/2017, pointed out that in August 2016, 26 persons enrolled into the programme from various hospitals and schools of nursing from across the country. She said today, four nurses have successfully completed their Bachelors in Nursing Programme.

“In addition, joining them are students who were determined to persevere despite their challenges, and though they were not fortunate to graduate with the class they enrolled with, they can now stand proudly and say, they have accomplished their goal,” the nursing programme coordinator noted.

She pointed out that in January, the undergraduate research proposal presentation was reintroduced and provided students with the opportunity to present and defend their research proposals, as well as receive expert guidance and constructive criticism from experts in the field of research. It was also in January that the students, now graduates, commenced their nursing practicum at various sites across the country for a period of 10 weeks.

After labouring for two years, Leacock-Marshall said she is pleased to celebrate with her students on their accomplishments. From the batch of 24, 10 of the graduates,, Melissa DaSilva, Joyanne John, Nadine Adams, Regan Goppy, Ausmin Simon, Terrence Ross, Melisa Peters, Shivonne Lindie, Helkah Velloza and Lexann Trotman, passed with distinction and were presented with trophies for their remarkable performance. The feat represented the second highest number of graduates to pass with distinction since the programme started.

For Melissa DaSilva, her many sleepless nights and sacrifices paid off. She was crowned Best Graduating Student and winner of the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals, UK (AGNAP) Award after securing a GPA of 3.7. The AGNAP Award package also includes 100 pounds sterling.

Melisa Peters was adjudged winner of the Best Research Award for her dissertation on the ‘Impact of Language Barrier among Healthcare Professionals in the Delivery of Quality Care at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital’. Peters and Latoya Knox, who are both attached to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, were presented with trophies by that private health institution for successfully completing their degrees.

It was clear that Terrence Ross was everyone’s favorite. His outstanding leadership qualities and love for the nursing profession landed him in the spotlight during Saturday’s award ceremony. Ross was presented with the prestigious Gwen Tross Award for his exemplary leadership throughout the course of study.

The Best Graduating Student, in expressing gratitude on behalf of her colleagues, admitted that they could not have done it alone. The programme was manned by four full-time, hardworking and dedicated staff, with expertise ranging from nursing education to public health and specialty nursing.

To show their appreciation, the graduating class of 2017 headed by their coordinator, presented the Faculty of Health Sciences with a wireless HP Office Desk Pro Printer comprising a fax, scanner and copier. It is the hope of the graduates that other classes would emulate their action, and contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of the faculty.

Chief Nursing Officer, Taramattie Barker; Vice Chancellor, University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith; Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Emanuel Cummings; Head of Department of Public Health, FHS, Mr. Noel Holder; and Principal of the Georgetown School of Nursing, Cleopatra Barkoye were among those present.