(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (Tuesday, May, 16th, 2017): The Nursing staff at Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital joined the world in celebrating International Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th under the International Council of Nurses theme, Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Yes, this is nursing.”

Nurses play a key role as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the provision of health care to individuals, families, and communities. They provide services designed to promote health, prevent illness, and achieve optimal recovery from or adaptation to health problems.

The activities held to mark the observance included a church service, educational visit to Provo Christian School to give an overview of the nursing profession, and an internal nurses’ challenge between the two hospital sites to raise awareness of organizational practices required to maintain Diamond Accreditation.

Due to a shortage of certain healthcare practitioners’ in-country, persons may be sourced from overseas. To embrace the cultural differences of ethnic groups employed at the healthcare facility, a Nurses Cultural Showcase and Potluck was held on the compound of Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Thursday, May 11th, 2017.

The event featured cultural dances, singing performances, satirical skits, and an endless array of native cuisines from Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Philippines, Jamaica and many other countries. TCI Cultural Ambassador, David Bowen gave a presentation on the local history of the Conch Shell. TCI Hospital also invited the community to take 60 seconds of their time to express gratitude to a nurse who impacted their lives with a #ThankANurse hashtag on Facebook.

Chief of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer at TCI Hospital, Douglas Moore said being a nurse is one of the most demanding professions, which requires dedication and commitment. Speaking to nurses at the event, Moore said:

“Our job can feel overwhelming sometimes, but it can also be beautiful and consuming. The kind of consuming that changes who you are, and gives you the strength to be a better person. The best part of it all is that we have the ability to connect with people every day. You have chosen a career of not only knowledge, but compassion that has profound impact on countless lives. Take pride and reflect on your positive contribution to patients and their loved ones.”