A view on Nurses’ Week

24.MAY.11

Editor: Your issue of 13th May, 2011 featured the Minister of Health’s message for Nurses’ Week 2011.

After having pleasurably declared the week open, he had asked the public to join him “in recognizing these wonderful nurses of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.{{more}} I am therefore honoured, as a member of the public, to join the Honourable Minister in doing just as was requested. In that vein, I wish to commend the many labours of love and sacrifice demonstrated by our nurses, both present and past, in caring for our sick.

In his message the Minister noted that “in certain circumstances, particularly in rural communities, populations rely heavily on nursing services to fulfill their health care needs”. It was noted too that in some settings, nurses are the only group of health professionals providing primary health care “in many of the most challenging settings”.

Many residents of Troumaca and the surrounding villages of Rose Hall, Coulls Hill, Rose Bank and beyond would echo these sentiments when they reflect on the life and times of Mrs. Doris “Nurse” Providence. Nurses of her deportment and calibre, both present and past, are to be forever emulated.

Being still in the shadow of Nurses’ Week, it would be timely to quote certain words from pages 146 and 147 of the fifth edition of The St. Vincent Handbook, published in 1938 and edited by Mr. Robert M Anderson.

“The Hon’ble Mrs. Murray Senior Vice President of the St. Vincent Trained Nurses Association delivered a lengthy and interesting address in which allusion was made to the real interest and sympathy Her Highness (Princess Marie- Louise of Schelswig-Holstein, Grand daughter of Queen Victoria) has always shown in regard to the great work of alleviating suffering and trying to cure disease”. The occasion mentioned here was part of a prize-giving ceremony for nurses. The Handbook goes on to say “Sister Webster, Nurse Matron of the Hospital and Honorary Secretary of the Association read the report relative to the results of the Examination. There were 13 candidates, 3 at Grenada, 2 at St. Lucia and 8 at St. Vincent. The winner of the first prize was Nurse Luenda O’Neill of St. Vincent who obtained Lady Sadler’s medal for 96 marks of a maximum of 100. Nurse O’Neill approached her majesty who graciously pinned on the medal and presented a prize from the Association and a certificate in Class C”. Page 139 of The Handbook describes the differences between the various classes.

Her Highness, in her address, stated: “Among the many professions in the world that are open to women, I do not think there is one more beautiful or which contains such possibilities of the true ideal of self-sacrifice and self denial in life as that of a nurse”. She went on to say: “Think of the sympathy you must give not only to the sick persons themselves, but also to those who are in anxiety around them! Think of the comfort you can be and all the help you can afford! Think of the enormous amount of anxiety and trouble you can relieve”! Her Highness ended by saying: “It has been a great pleasure and happiness to me to give you your certificates and especially Lady Sadler’s medal and I congratulate all of you most heartily and sincerely upon the excellent work for which these certificates are a reward”.

Her Highness’ words though spoken in March of 1913, nearly 100 years ago, transcend the boundaries of time to stir up a sense of pride,duty and commitment in the hearts of many a nurse!

Gerelyn John