Offer more training for nurses, Government urged

Two major unions representing nurses in Barbados are calling on government to treat their members

with greater value.

Speaking on International Nurses’ Day today, Chairman of nurses division of the National Union of Public Workers, Michelle Marshall told the Government that its importation of nurses is not sustainable, while pointing to the “commitment and resilience” of the Barbadian healthcare professionals.

Marshall appealed to the Government to provide opportunities for adequate training with leave in order that nurses are not forced to attend the Barbados Community College or university during the day and then have to work at night.

This, she said is very demanding and stressful.

“There is a dire need to have specialised training in mid-wifery, gerontology, postpartum specialisation, orthopedic nursing and other nursing courses to ensure an adequate complement of skilled personnel in the related disciplines,” she said.

“The longstanding issue of nursing upgrade needs to be addressed to make it more attractive and meaningful for nurses to remain in Barbados. The constant migration of nurses, compounded with the problem of inadequate staffing in the profession, has created challenges in seeking to maintaining an effective patient care system,” the trade unionist stated.

She also urged the Government to settle their outstanding hazard pay concern.

“Nurses and other healthcare workers are still waiting on the payment of the hazard pay which was successfully negotiated with the NUPW and the Ministry of the Public Service. The lump hazard payment proposed by us in the union, is equitable and it can be facilitated. We ask that these arrangement be completed as quickly as possible,” Marshall pleaded.

She said the NUPW salutes all nurses as true heroes, as it champions quality care throughout an ongoing pandemic.

“You nurses have demonstrated commitment and resilience as proud professionals. The importation of nurses is not sustainable. Invest in nurses now, before it is too late,” the nurses’ spokesperson insisted.

Meanwhile, president of the Barbados Nurses’ Association (BNA) Valerie Francis Miller said nurses are a worthwhile investment and Government must not only see them as mere liabilities.

“Motivation for nurses is often intrinsic but incentives written into our contracts would be helpful.  We laud the Government of Barbados for the recent recognition of nurses among the honourees who received the Humanitarian Award.  Like any war, there are often casualties; but there must also be heroes.  For the BNA, every nursing professional should be rewarded, acknowledging how we stepped into the battle, fought, and still are fighting fearlessly with COVID, among other diseases,” she declared.

Francis Miller echoed the sentiments of her colleague in the NUPW for specialised training.

“We have recognised the need for an expanded workforce, as nurses migrate and retire. Together with other stakeholders, we have highlighted the need for more specialised training for nurses to advance into specialty areas, encouraging new students even from secondary school level.  We have also welcomed government’s move to strengthen the nursing complement as we faced the COVID-19 pandemic by reaching out Cuba and Ghana. However, this cannot negate the fact that career opportunities must continue to be offered to locals who have a heart to carry “the lamp” like Florence [Nightengale, founder of the nursing profession],” the BNA leader stressed.

Miller said the association recognised the need for inclusion of nurses in policy and decision-making.

“Thus, the BNA is happy to have a voice among the Social Partnership of Barbados and to be engaged by the government on matters relative to strengthening local health systems.  We stand as watchmen for the challenges faced by nurses such as job security, socio-economic advancement, lifelong care, and inclusion (even for nurses in retirement),” she said. (EJ)