DNA President calls for greater recognition of the hard work done by nurses

Awardee Cuffy-David and DNA President Debra Roach Phillip Photo: Rosie Felix
Awardee, Cuffy-David and DNA President, Debra Roach Phillip. Photo: Rosie Felix

President of the Dominica Nurses Association (DNA), Debra Phillip has said that more emphasis needs to be placed on the hard work performed by the many nurses in Dominica.

Phillip, who spoke to the media recently on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the DNA, said she also believes that the public should appreciate nurses and give them respect.

“We do not shy off from the fact that some of our nurses need brushing up, but we need to place emphasis on the hard work of the many of our nurses,” she said. “A higher percentage of our nurses are striving for excellence. They are working hard despite the circumstances that we are faced with here.”

Phillip continued, “The public expectation presently, is very high because of the social media, the television, people go out there and they see what’s happening in the first world countries, and they are expecting to have this.”

She added, “Not that I am saying they should not expect a high quality of care. However, because of the circumstances that we have here in Dominica, the onus is on the nurses in Dominica to strive towards that level.”

A gathering of nurses ( File photo)
A gathering of nurses (file photo)

According to Phillip, nurses are challenged and despite that situation, they do their best and perform with excellence.

“There are nurses who are really working hard and even when the patients come, they say had they not been a patient, they would not know how hard nurses are working in Dominica. So, we need to appreciate our nurses,’ she explained.

The DNA is also calling on the public to cooperate with the nurses.

As part of activities for the observance, the DNA, for the first time, presented one deserving nurse with the Elaine Pringle Nurse of the Biennium Award. The recipient was Nurse Jessica Cuffy-David.

Nurse Cuffy-David will be sponsored by the Dominica Nurses Association to attend the Caribbean Nurses Organization conference, which is being hosted this year in Antigua, where she will also be honored.  The Elaine Pringle Nurse of the Biennium will be awarded every two years.

The DNA says that the Elaine Pringle Nurse of the Biennium Award was instituted in honor of “our Nurse icon,” Mrs. Elaine Pringle, who is the only living founding member of the Dominica Nurses Association. Mrs. Pringle held the position of secretary on the first board. She also served on the board of Directors of the Caribbean Nurses Organization from 1959-1961, as the representative of the General Nursing councils and local national nurses associations.

The executive of the Dominica Nurses Association congratulates all nurses on the 59th Anniversary celebration, which was observed under the theme, “Honoring Excellence in Nursing”.

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22 Comments

  1. Way to go!
    August 28, 2016

    Thank God for the good nurses. Dear Lord please give us more good ones there are too many miserable ones!

  2. August 27, 2016

    An improvement in their working conditions would change the attitude of some nurses who lack good manners. Thy have studied long and hard. They deserve to be treated better.

    Lets hope with the coming of the new hospital it will be a whole new day for hospital nurses. And don’t forget those who work in he community.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  3. curiorcity
    August 27, 2016

    Why many nurses and why not nurses, Ensure that they are adequately trained to care out their duties safely and successfully. All nurses. thanks god to those people who knows how to take care of themselves rather than laying their burdens on the nurses.

  4. Tell the Facts
    August 26, 2016

    On another note, those who are not too sick to smile and talk, please smile to the nurses and greet them or just a smile will do. It helps to ease the gap. This includes those who accompany them to the hospital.
    There is nothing wrong in saying to them, “Good Morning/afternoon/Night Nurse, how are you?” Do it with a smile and mean it. You do not have to make conversation. This greeting is enough to help to make the nurses’ day/night. You will be amazed how good they will feel even though they do not tell you. Let us consider ourselves when we are courteously greeted and how we feel.
    There are times some people are too serious and expect too much. Even though the nurses are paid, keep in mind, they are people too.
    I wish all nurses the best. Your job is also a tiring one.
    May God bless you and give you strength as you make your rounds, being on your feet all day/night nursing your patients.

  5. Tell the Facts
    August 26, 2016

    We are to respect everyone. The nurses are under a lot of pressure. Consider their position, having to nurse sick patients, some accident ones. It really is a hard job both physically and emotionally. This is why some of us did not become doctors nor nurses. We could not stand seeing and caring for the sick. The worst of all are accident patients who are badly injured. This would make us who are not in the medical profession turn away. They have to be very strong to withstand looking at them and nursing them.
    Having stated that, let us give the nurses due recognition and respect. If there were no nurses, what would happen to the patients? Nurses are badly needed. A country could not do without them.
    Nurses, you too have a personal life which you must leave behind when you report for work at the hospital. You have your own personal anxieties. We must take this into consideration.
    I respect and commend you for your effort under difficult circumstances

  6. Concern citizen
    August 26, 2016

    I do agree with some of the comments made by persons, I think it is the nurses them selves and the teachers that are compensating towards that, U all have the power in ur hands then use it,
    Then some on spoke about if they don’t want to recognise their marriage name, I don’t think that making sense, and it is true that some of the nurses need to change their attitudes especially in the casualty department,
    but I can say thumbs up for all the nurses especially the
    DNA President especially Mrs Roach Phillip
    my opinion is that it is in humane to have a nurse begging for a ride home after a work shift don’t matter what time of day or night it may be,

  7. truthman
    August 26, 2016

    Yes congrats. But 80% of you all need to learn manners you all have no respect.

    • Tell the Facts
      August 26, 2016

      There are some who comment on this Website who also need to learn respect.
      You should understand that they work under stress. It is not easy for them. Under the circumstances maybe you could overlook these frailties. No one is without them, one way or the other.

  8. August 26, 2016

    There are nurses and there are ”nurses”.

    I understand from DNO that nurses in Dominica face challenges that bring out the best in those who are dedicated to their work. I hope their employers, patients, and the public will let them know by word and deed that they are appreciated.

    In my younger years I did not know how important nurses are. But in my ”senior” years I found myself in the hospital in need of their services, and then had to have a nurse come to my home several times. I have come to believe for the best of them it is a calling not just a career.

    The Dominica Nurses Association is speaking well on their behalf. I hope DNA will continue to see that your nurses are treated properly on the beautiful island where they serve.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  9. Thomas Suart
    August 26, 2016

    NURSES I COMMEND U and those who are a little impatient , please note that this is one of the most imporpant requirement of a medical professional ….WHY isn’t the GOVERNMENT sponsoring the nurse’s trip to the confrence ?WHAT’S THAT ? IS IT A JOKE ? Just a reminder IF U DON’T SHOW UR IMPORTANCE ,NO ONE WILL RESPECT U…..STAND UPPPP …shalom

  10. Pondera
    August 26, 2016

    Congratulations to all nurses for your hard work. Best wishes for the future. Your work in the given circumstances is remarkable.

  11. Princess Natari
    August 26, 2016

    It is really painful and shameful when one considers the conditions under which nurses work in Dominica. It is no wonder that those with the least level of dedication do not perform at their optimum capacity or have negative attitudes towards patients and clients.
    I feel for them, and pray that some day their employer , The Government of Dominica will create a work environment where they will be given a fair day’s/night’s pay for a fair day’s/night’s work, will be provided with the tools and equipment necessary to perform their jobs, given life and medical insurance.
    I salute our nurses and encourage them to continue to give of their best. Yahweh will surely bless you all!!!

    • just saying
      August 26, 2016

      ” It is no wonder that those with the least level of dedication do not perform at their optimum capacity or have negative attitudes towards patients and clients”least level of dedication?nurse natari are you for real?did you even understand what you wrote?now that’s shameful.

  12. Neverson st jean
    August 26, 2016

    U guys have the power to make the govt. Pay attention to your needs, but most of u put pary before country or self, so accept what u get.

  13. sam baker
    August 26, 2016

    I never did understand, women get married how they still carry their Maiden name as if they are not sure about the married name, it is becoming very common practice among professional women. Seem like we Men are loosing our grounds. Just an observation.

    • same person
      August 26, 2016

      i was born somebody’s child before i became somebody’s wife. i will NEVER give up my birth family’s name completely to take on another. i will however and have add my marriage name to my birth family name.

    • Dominican National
      August 26, 2016

      Good observation. I know here is not the best medium for this discussion but just a brief comment on this.
      It is well justified in a case where one received your qualifications before marriage and all your degrees, credentials etc are in your maiden surname. However, married women need to understand the use of the “hyphen” between the two surnames: in the case where your husband is carrying your surname you use the hyphen between the two surnames, making it a hyphenated surname (one surname) and your children would also use that surname. In the case where he is not carrying the wife’s surname, there should be no hyphen.
      This increase in married women using a hyphen between their maiden and married surnames in Dominica is an indication that our people just “follow fashion” without finding out why certain things are done.

    • FED UP
      August 26, 2016

      Maybe she likes her name. Maybe she wants to honour her father and family. This is 2016 – a woman is not your property just because she made the decision to become your wife.

      If you don’t like her carrying her maiden name – then change your name to her maiden name. Then everyone will be happy!

    • Tell the Facts
      August 26, 2016

      This is the trend in this so-called modern age and of feminism. I noted that many D/can women today carry both names, unlike yesteryear. Their husbands probably do not mind.
      Remember in those days women did not work. They were not the breadwinners. They were stay-home wives and mothers. They did not have an identity except for they being a person.
      The men were the boss of the house, you know, the head. Actually, this is what God meant, not that the men should boss their wives and lord it over them but respect them.
      Times have changed. Today, the majority of women are also the breadwinners. Therefore, expect that they have much freedom to do as they like, to change what they like and to keep their name or add a hyphen to it with their husbands last name. Blame this on this era.

  14. Regular Patient
    August 26, 2016

    Some of our nurses need to change their attitude towards patients, especially in the accidents and Emergency department (Casualty). They make you feel like is beg you begging them for help and patient care. There are very mean ones I can tell you that much. I would like the Ministry of Health to remind each of them to remember what they sign up for. Treat people with love, care, and respect, we are the ones who make your job possible.

    • SMH
      August 26, 2016

      agreed 100%

    • Dominican National
      August 26, 2016

      …but there are some really GREAT nurses who give their all with limited resources. Thank God for them.

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