"Nursing is more than a career, it's a noble calling that touches the lives of people at their most vulnerable." - Elizabeth Kenny. Thus, it is an honour to pause every year during May to affirm and show appreciation to nurses for their invaluable service in every spectrum of our society and across the life continuum from prenatal and delivery, to palliative and caring for the dying.

As essential to healthcare as air is to breathe, nurses play a crucial role in the health and well-being of our nation in the areas of primary, preventive, mental health, and tertiary healthcare services.  Nurses are also called to provide care in hotels, insurance companies, schools, nursing homes, prisons, and cruise ships. Nurses, therefore, play a vital role in coordinating healthcare services and improving patient/client care outcomes across our archipelago by assisting each patient /client to achieve their optimal health status.

The value of an entity is often more clearly understood and appreciated when it is absent. Hence, the impact of not having an adequate number of nurses correlates to increased risk and liability, as well as a decrease in access to care and the quality of patient care outcomes. Nurses are, therefore, the cornerstone of healthcare, ensuring the well-being of society, building healthier communities, and influencing the trajectory of economies.

However, despite the global shortage of nurses and the high demand in their work environment, many nurses of the South Bahamas Conference allocate their limited and valuable spare time to serve in our community, to volunteer at health fairs or missionary trips, and to assist in the various ministries of our church. This is indeed commendable. As a church family, we join with other residents across our beautiful country to recognize, appreciate, and applaud the vital role of nurses in our health and well-being.

Such committed and dedicated service demonstrates an understanding that nursing is a sacred ministry, and that God has given us the privilege to be partners in His healing ministry.  As noted in the text, Counsels on Health, “Earnest, devoted young people are needed to enter the work as nurses. As these young men and women use conscientiously the knowledge they gain, they will increase in capability, becoming better and better qualified to be the Lord’s helping hand” (p. 329). Adventist nurses are therefore called to surrender their knowledge, skills, and talents to be used in the work of the Lord.  As Adventist nurses, we must always be mindful that we represent the loving and healing hands of our Lord and must therefore demonstrate kindness, gentleness, and compassion in the performance of our duties.

In consideration of our chosen theme, “Encouraging, Inspiring and Empowering Nurses for Higher Service,” our church community is encouraged to be cognizant of the crucial role nurses play in the health and well-being of all citizens and residents of our country. Their vital role can be acknowledged and affirmed by inviting them to participate in the decision-making process about planning and implementing various ministry initiatives.

As advocates on the frontline and as noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the last line of healthcare, nurses are perfectly positioned to provide valuable insight about healthcare, community wellbeing, family life matters, and many other societal concerns.

Church leaders are therefore encouraged to collaborate with these valuable and resourceful healthcare professionals, respect their input, incorporate their ideas, and support their endeavors and initiatives.  Such collaborative teamwork between healthcare providers and all members of our church family can encourage, inspire, and empower nurses while strengthening the health and wellness services provided during church-based and outreach ministry initiatives.

So, as we pause to recognize and appreciate the tremendous and invaluable contribution of nurses this month, I wish to encourage all nurses to continue to provide safe, selfless, and empathetic healthcare services to all recipients of our care, as we anticipate the glorious commendation of our Lord “When I was sick you came and cared for me.”