The Nurses ‘Leadership for Change’ graduation ceremony was held at Le Chateau on the Green last Friday, where 15 nurses were presented with their Inaugural LFC certificates.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville, Senator Tanisha Tynes thanked the nurses for their invaluable contribution to the healthcare of Bahamians and also congratulated them for their activities during Nurses’ Month, held during the month of May.
She said, “Seated before you this morning are the 15 nurse leaders of the Nurses Association of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas (NACB), Grand Bahama Branch, Inaugural International Council of Nurses (ICN) Leadership for Change (LFC) Program. It is a great feeling of accomplishment to achieve this milestone in the history of your branch.”
Mrs. Tynes continued, “The NACB is an independent, non-political, non-governmental organization of nurses in The Bahamas. It serves as the premier voice for nurses and in all nursing matters pertaining to the profession locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. The purpose of the NACB is the advancement of nursing education and professional development, and the socio-economic welfare of nurses.”
The ICN is a federation of more than 132 National Nurses Association (NNAs), representing more than 16 million nurses worldwide. Founded in 1899, ICN is the world’s first and widest reaching international organization for health professionals, working to ensure quality care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.
The commencement of LFC Training in Grand Bahama, she said, achieved these milestones: the ICN upon revision of the length of its LFC course, has reduced it to one year; it comprised the first cohort conducted outside of Nassau and this historical course for Grand Bahama was launched on June 30, 2014, a day after the home-going celebration of the visionary NACB president and educator, the late Castella Bowleg, who in 1996 negotiated with the ICN for three Bahamian nurses to participate in this global initiative.
Senator Tynes acknowledged two of those nurses present: Willamae Stuart-Lead, trainer and Maggie Turner, former national coordinator. The third recipient was Patricia Miller Brown.
Senator Tynes commended the NACB Grand Bahama Branch for the leadership training.
Participants of the LFC will obtain an international nurse leadership certification and will join millions of nurses around the world who are among the cadre of global nurse leaders.
