Each year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) leads the global celebrations for International Nurses Day, which is held on May 12, the anniversary of the birth of nursing trailblazer Florence Nightingale. This year, we join our voices with the rest of the world to salute all nurses for their significant and invaluable service under the theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future.”
The Ministry of Health is committed to recognizing the important role that Nurses and Midwives play in ensuring high-quality, safe, and effective care delivery for all patients, families and communities along the wellness-illness continuum. Our Nurses are indispensable members of the inter-professional team, and together we exemplify the fundamental values of nursing care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment and competence.
As Principal Nursing Officer, I am proud to continue to develop and maintain the Federation’s reputation for excellence in nursing services. Therefore, I am equally committed to implementing and sustaining evidence-based initiatives to improve the patient experience and to ensure that all Nurses integrate best practices and innovation in all healthcare systems. In St. Kitts and Nevis, Nurses and Midwives play a pivotal role in achieving these outcomes, and it is essential that we are equipped with the right tools to provide patients with compassionate care that is individualized to their needs.
The Office of the Principal Nursing Officer is fully committed to the continued professional development of all Nurses and to working collaboratively with the Leaders and Staff of both Institution-Based and Community-Based Nurses in St. Kitts and Nevis to advance the health of our communities. Through the Ministry of Health, we are currently implementing various strategies to encourage Nurses to pursue continuous professional education and specialty certification in a variety of specialized areas such as Intensive Care, Hemodialysis, Operating Theater Technique, Public Health, Nursing Administration, and Education, Psychiatry, Accident and Emergency and Oncology to ensure our nurses are equipped to provide quality health care services. We are committed to recruiting and retaining expertly trained Nurses through coaching and mentoring in an environment that fosters growth in personal and professional development.
Nursing is more than a profession; it is a calling to make a difference every day in the lives of our patients, their families and our communities. I am very proud to be a Nurse. I sincerely thank all of our Nurses and every member of the healthcare team for their commitment, dedication, service, and everything they do to advance patient care in our Nation. Our nurses exemplify Florence Nightingale’s healing spirit and desire to serve and advance nursing practice to improve the lives of others.
Congratulations to all Nurses in the Institution-Based and Community-Based Nursing Services, Nurse Educators and Student Nurses, Retired Nurses, and Nurses in Private Practice as they all endeavor to provide excellent healthcare delivery to the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis.
I extend congratulations to the Executive and Members of the St. Kitts Nurses Association on their 70th Anniversary and wish them all the best as they continue to advocate for the healthcare issues that affect nurses and the public.
We shall continue to strengthen and invest in “Our Nurses, Our Future.”
Happy International Nurses Day 2023!
Thank you.