WITH 96 years of service under its belt, the Guyana Nursing Association (GNA) hosted its Annual Award and Bursary Ceremony on Saturday at its Charlotte and Alexander Streets location. The ceremony recognised 13 nurses from across Guyana who received awards in various categories.
Some of the awards and awardees are as follows: Quality Nursing Care – Gloria Noel; Clinical Leadership, Rising Star, Patriotic – Marva Hawaker; Nurse Leader of the year – Agnes Van West and Infection Prevention and Control – Rhonda Clarke and Gillian Butts.
Additionally, 22 children whose parents are members of the association, received bursary awards.

In congratulating the Nursing Association on achieving this significant milestone, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony emphasised the importance of preserving the organisation’s history and contributions.
“As we think about the next four years, when you have marked your 100th Anniversary, I think it would be good to have a formal documentation or a book publish on this remarkable organisation so that it can illustrate the history of nursing in Guyana”, he stated according to a statement from the ministry.

Acknowledging the association’s interest in conducting research, Minister Anthony also highlighted the ministry’s willingness to support these efforts.
“If you have a cohort of nurses who are interested in doing this type of research, then the Ministry can work with you, and we can get some of the persons to teach you how to do research methodology and how to even do the publication of these research”, he explained.
According to the statement, Minister Anthony further encouraged those who received bursary awards to start thinking about their future careers.

“So, I want you young people, you’re getting these bursaries today, you’re being appreciated by the nursing association, you have a bright future ahead of you and I want you to harness that future, make good of your education, learn as much as you can, because there’s lots of opportunities that are now available for training”, he stated.

In closing, Minister Anthony disclosed that starting next year, the ministry will be rolling out the electronic health record system and as such, they will be working closely with the nursing association and nurses to adapt to this initiative.
The GNA was formed in 1928, and is the oldest Nurses Association in the English-speaking Caribbean.