-legislation being amended to allow nurses to specialise

THE Ministry of Public Health has requested 30 acres of land from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to construct a nursing college, said subject minister, Volda Lawrence.
Although the local schools of nursing will provide a foundation for nurses, the college is expected to create an opportunity for those in the profession to enhance their knowledge, said the minister during her address to nurses at the launch of the activities for the Guyana Nursing Association (GSA)’s 90th anniversary celebration.

“All tiers of persons within the profession can be able to improve themselves once the college is done,” she posited, adding that the institution is expected to be equipped with the latest technology and simulations.

The college will also comprise a video conferencing room so that persons who have to take foreign classes would be able to have full access.

Minister Lawrence said the ministry has already started to revise the existing 1947 Act which governs nurses.

“We have completed the draft amendments and it was submitted to the Attorney General’s office for review before we take it to the National Assembly; we hope to do so within this quarter of the year,” she explained.

The amended legislation will complement the college because after pursuing further studies the nurses would be able to specialise in a particular field.
Once the avenue for elevation has been created, the minister urged persons to utilise it and move on in order to make space for others to join the profession.

“I am not asking you, I am telling you that you will have to move on because we will not keep you for 40-50 years,” she said, adding that the health sector would not be able to fully improve if the flow of personnel is not maintained.

Nurses will not be left in the wilderness since the ministry will be working to ensure that there is a conducive and enhanced environment for them to operate in.
“If we give you the tools you will have no excuse; we need to take leaps because we have a long way to go in order to catch up with the rest of the world,” said Minister Lawrence.
Some of the nurses, who were at the event, were in full support of the construction of the college and the amendment of the existing legislation.

According to the medical professionals, the move was long overdue but will still give them an opportunity to enhance their abilities.