PRESIDENT of the Barbados Nurses’ Association Blondelle Mullin says she is distressed that after two years greater strides have not been made with the Nursing Council of Barbados.
As she looked at the accomplishments of the BNA last year and the work to be done in 2013, she noted, “The end of January will be the re-registration process for nurses, but the Nursing Council of Barbados, due to the issues of relocation constantly, has not been able to obtain a secretariat to assist with this process to enable members to obtain credits for continuing education.”
She said while they are grateful for spacious facilities in Warrens, she intends to vigorously continue to lobby the Ministry of Health to address this matter.
According to regulations in the 2008 Nurses Act, some of the functions of the Council include the responsibility for the regulation of the nursing profession; the registration or enrolment of persons in the profession and the setting of standards and guidelines for the governance of the profession.
Highlighting other areas to be addressed in the upcoming year, the president revealed plans to assist new nurses to the field by establishing a mentoring program for junior nurses and nursing students. “For they are our future nurse leaders,” she said. “In this regard the Student Nurses Association will be re- established,” she assured.
Mullin also drew attention to the need for remuneration for unsociable hours. “This was addressed with the Ministry of Health to remunerate all nurses for working unsociable hours, but apparently it will be dealt with as shift deferential wages. I will continue to lobby them to address this issue.”Mullin, who has been the head of the organisation for the past two years, also assured that she will also lead the BNA in promoting the educational advancement and empowerment of nurses in Barbados and in addressing opportunities for upward mobility in the workplace. In this regard, the Leadership For Change program will be re-established, she revealed.
Saying it is her vision to see the organisation become the “envy of all organisations”, she also stated that she will endeavour to lead in collaborative efforts with key stakeholders to support the development and advancement of nursing research and clinical practice.
Additionally in the coming year, she anticipates that a midwives group will be re-established; further initiatives will be developed to enhance a membership drive; a quarterly newsletter will be reintroduced and the 75th Anniversary souvenir magazine will be completed. (JH)
