The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) is once again at the center of controversy, as nurses have expressed frustration with a new policy on uniforms and deportment allegedly influenced by a senior nurse in management.
The policy, which was communicated to staff by the Human Resources Department, has been criticized for being overly specific and reflective of a manager’s personal, religious, and outdated views, rather than modern and internationally accepted nursing practices.
Several nurses have voiced their discontent anonymously for fear of victimization.
They have expressed that the focus on uniforms is misguided, especially in light of the ongoing challenges the hospital faces, including staff shortages and demanding workloads.
One nurse exclaimed, “We are the only soldiers in the hospital. We are forced to work long hours in a toxic environment, and now our jobs are threatened if we wear a scrub top that is not white or have more than one ear piercing. It feels like the hospital cares more about our appearance than the actual work we do.”
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Many staff members believe that the manager’s personal, religious beliefs are being forced onto the entire nursing department, creating a stifling and toxic working environment.
One nurse noted, “She acts like a bully, imposing her views in meetings, on the wards, and through this policy. Other hospital staff can have small, decent piercings, but nurses are singled out.”
Another nurse added, “There are bigger issues to address—like staffing, training, and the professional development of nurses—not trivial things like how many earrings we wear.”
“The world has changed,” one senior nurse remarked. “We have to accept that this is a new era and once this new generation of nurses uphold decency and acceptable professional standards then they ought not to be pressured to follow someone else’s personal belief standard,” she added.
Supporting her colleague’s statement another senior nurse expressed that while it is important to maintain professional standards, these standards should not be based upon personal belief but rather universally accepted professional nursing standard.
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These issues come at a time when SLBMC is struggling with broader leadership issues within the nursing department. Nurses at SLBMC have repeatedly expressed that they are overworked and under-appreciated. With key nursing departments like the Operating Theatre, Emergency Room, Surgical Unit and ICU operating on minimal staff, the hospital is nearing a breaking point.
The manager’s HR policy is seen by many as part of a broader pattern of poor leadership, as she has been criticized for ignoring the needs and concerns of both nurses and nurse managers.
“There are more pressing matters in nursing leadership, like the training and development of managers, better compensation for nursing staff, and creating an environment where nurses feel appreciated and empowered,” said one frustrated nurse.
The growing discontent among the nursing staff raises important questions about the future of the profession at SLBMC.
Can a department led by someone who seems out of touch with modern nursing practices and priorities meet the needs of today’s nurses? As one nurse put it, “Rather than focusing on what should be done to improve the department, leadership is enforcing outdated views, making life harder for staff who are already stretched thin.”
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The manager’s rigid stance on uniform policies, coupled with her lack of responsiveness to larger issues, has created a toxic environment for staff who feel unsupported and undervalued. Many are now looking to the government and hospital administration to step in and address what has become a leadership crisis within the nursing department.
A senior nurse expressed that she hopes to raise those critical concerns at the next Nurses Association meeting, hoping that there will be some strong advocacy for these dedicated, yet underappreciated front-line workers.
As nurses continue to struggle under heavy workloads, they are calling for management that will prioritize their well-being and the future of nursing at SLBMC. Whether the leadership is willing to adapt remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking as the hospital’s healthcare crisis deepens.
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they need to adjust it jus because short of nurse there dnt mean you all dress up any how lotva you look like whorws with these many ear loops ring these short dresses its disgust you all carry you all self like you all acting for porn star position in that dressing the matter should be felt with there’s one in particular in EC she bend down she cock up one her foot to reach for what she going for an I see hell under she not heaven
I am digusted at the previous comment, I am a nurse and a proud one. The innocent should not suffer for rhe guilty. For those persons who don’t uphold the standard deal with them, it’s not a one size fit all situation. This is the society we live in people love ugly too much. Instead of saying something to the nurse in a respectful way, you find time to come up here and run off your mouth saying all these negative things. Whey your eye ah do dey sir for see what you say you see. Disappointed and digusted, smh.
I am going to ignore that first comment. Empty barrels make the most noise.
Now to the article; this sounds so relatable. I have heard many disgruntled nurses speak about the treatment they get up there at the Hospital. They always say how the nursing management is poor and that the Matron always pushes her views on staff. One nurse said she had a rough time in the first half of her double shift so she got a scrub top to chage off and the next day she had to face the Matron. The Hospital isn’t running professionally, but like a cook shop. How can one person enforce such slavery like practices. Isn’t she trained and updated in “modern day” nursing practice and standards. Sometimes they sit in these positions for years and get comfortable not addressing the serious concerns and issues our profession is facing. Sadly to say we have our own stresses with the overall nursing leadership but the hospital take the cake. They need to do something about it. I know the matron seat has been hot since when this current one was working in HR. That’s another thing. Not many people know but this current Matron was the HR before the new young girl came in. She maybe influencing her now because Matron was her boss. It’s a lot of problems at the hospital, that why majority of the nurses are set to leave. I left for the community and other are going privately or even across the Caribbean. When you think home is suppose to be better. It isn’t sadly.
I have been waiting for this! Thanks to the journalist who reached out to the nurses. We need more of you. That matron needs to go. I don’t normally talk about these thing because at the end of the day each person work hard for their bread but when you make another person experience troublesome, especially in this case where the least you can do in a dying situation is to give hope or motivation, you deserve to go.
Minister Joseph need to find a solution to this problem. More than once I have seen articles addressing a causative factor of the issues, the Matron. They need to fix it. Have an understudy. Something. Fix it!
1,000 French man can’t lie. It’s high time the matron of SLBMSJMC go‼️‼️ She’s not doing her job‼️ There are so many pressing issues at the hospital and the least of the problem should be a uniform. I’ve visited the ER several times with my child who has Asthma and the nurses work VERY HARD. They are several exceptional nurses too. Come on…..a uniform? The color of scrubs? Jewelry? That’s crazy. They’re humans too.
I agree that no one should impose their personal beliefs on anyone.
But, across the board, some of the nurse dem dress like dem was on a pole the night before at Wendy’s and with the dem big ring in dem nose hole like a cow. Now come on, they need to do better with the dress code for real, this is nonsense.
Why are nurses being singled out when a certain social worker, at a certain medical institution can often be seen on many social media platforms, especially during carnival, baring a mere thong and barely any garment on the upper torso?!
Maybe instead of counting thongs you weirdo you should stop spending so much time scrolling social media and actually noticing the work she’s doing. Her skills as a social worker aren’t defined by her Carnival outfit, but it’s clear who’s overexposed here, your poor judgment. Maybe if you focused as much on your own profession (which you probably suck at) as you do on policing what others wear, you’d be better at recognizing dedication when you see it
Minister Molwyn Joseph needs to get rid of that matron. They’ve been several stance against her already. What is the HR doing? Who do the nurses talk to?
It’s sad to say that as a nurse where my passion is for this noble profession; it’s now leaving me slowly.
There are soo many matters that needs to be adressed but Ms Mathron rather focuses on ur color sock u have on along with if ur scrub is white or any other color. What should be of high concern is the high rate of sick leaves every week. Leaving the remainder of nurses to be overly burnt out. The lack of proper lounge for nurses to hv a break. That nurses highly over worked and underpaid to the point nurses Ave to be doing two m three jobs to meet their needs. Address your toxic environment
The matron needs to go‼️‼️
Nurses nurses me ass you all ack like it’s you alone work in the hospital and the first comment is right most of you all dresses like hoes up in the er, clothes tight tight can hardly bend especially this short one when she walks her uniform dress roll right up under she box side every minute a pull done, when them wear panty under the white you can literally see a t string under they a print out out the lace v cut panty like u all looking out and look the same exact way when u all on streets, dress professionally you nurses look like a bunch hoes , is to get noticement from doctors or orderlies can’t be sick people , many u all carrying yourself looking that way only speak volume of you and lower the standards of slmbc, many issues at hand yes but it also starts with your appearance and your fucking attitude, some of all you attitude stinks and u nurses does the least work in the hospital, time for the government look else where as well on the hard working departments other than just nurses nurses nurses that crew in the burgundy doing an exceptional job when you come in to the hospital but nurses are pigs and uptight you can’t even ask them a question without they given attitude them not above the law rules are rules they should follow I would not even think of looking a job there they would fired me long time
These nurses need to go back in modern days training them ya a the worst set of generation nurses and me a age 60 so I know
Nurses nurses me ass you all ack like it’s you alone work in the hospital and the first comment is right most of you all dresses like hoes up in the er, clothes tight tight can hardly bend especially this short one when she walks her uniform dress roll right up under she box side every minute a pull done, when them wear panty under the white you can literally see a t string under they a print out out the lace v cut panty like u all looking out and look the same exact way when u all on streets, dress professionally you nurses look like a bunch hoes , is to get noticement from doctors or orderlies can’t be sick people , many u all carrying yourself looking that way only speak volume of you and lower the standards of slmbc, many issues at hand yes but it also starts with your appearance and your fucking attitude, some of all you attitude stinks and u nurses does the least work in the hospital, time for the government look else where as well on the hard working departments other than just nurses nurses nurses that crew in the burgundy doing an exceptional job when you come in to the hospital but nurses are pigs and uptight you can’t even ask them a question without they given attitude them not above the law rules are rules they should follow I would not even think of looking a job there they would fired me long time
These nurses need to go back in modern days training them ya a the worst set of generation nurses and me a age 60 so I know
To the first comment, that seems like a “YOU” problem because if the nurse is reaching for something of course the uniform may rise up….it’s not glue to the body. Moving right along. I’ve visited the Emergency Department several times, and they are so many issues and problems to fix. The waiting time is ridiculous for patients to be seen. I was brought by the Ambulance and I had no time to pack a bag and no water was available for me to take some pills. I had to ask an orderly to buy me one. There is no sheet and sometimes in there is extremely cold. Instead of worrying about uniform and etc. Fix the problems at hand. I’m no way or form picking sides with the nurses because they’re one or two I’d say rough ones, but trust me, there are a few gems I’ve met. I can’t remember their names but they are heaven sent. The nurses are faced with a lot of challenges I’ve seen with my own eyes. The matron and her heads need to be removed or spoken to. Uniform and jewelry is the least of the problem.
As a former Holberton Hospital worker, I’m saddened that the Nursing profession has not grown. Uniform policies are arcane; your scheduling arcane, and God knows what else. Time to get rid of this mandatory white uniform. Every division can have a scrub with a specific color which identifies whether you’re RN or CNA. On scheduling try some 12 hours shifts. It’s too demanding for Nurses to be showing up 5 days or nights weekly. Twelve hours shifts will help to avoid burn out; will give Nurses more time for their families, and the energy to pick up an extra shift or two. Come on guys, the profession shouldn’t be hurting like you are. Stand up and be counted.
The dressing, undergarments, length of clothing should be the least of the problem. The nurses are wearing white, everything is going to print out. The matron and the HR need to do much better with how the hospital is being ran. I’ve visited the ER once and yes you see all sort of sizes and types of panties. But what do you expect? The issue should not be dressing but how the hospital is ran. We as a society study the wrong things. Some of the nurses working there are actually very nice and helpful. Let’s do better as a society🙏🏾🙏🏾
No concerns about the plight and of nurses. Focusing on a primitive dress code. Let see how that helps some you when sickness holds.
Is it the nurses alone make up the hospital? I’ve seen several different workers other than nurses out from heads to bottom of staff and their behaviors and dressing are deplorable. Nurses uniform, undergarments, piercings should be the least of the discussion. Something is still covering it. What about those who go out and on the road in these same thongs, g strings and minnies? I’ve visited the hospital with my mother and trust me, when I say uniforms, dress code is not the problem. They’re some rude nurses yes, that you can’t even ask a question. Same goes to the doctors and those infront of causality but they are some damn good nurses too, that will go the extra mile. The matron and administration need Help or need to switched up.
I say the ones who can challenge the RN NCLEX for the US, go there, there’s shortages there, too! Plilus, starting pay for most RNs is $35+ usd an hour and that’s for the easy to get jobs like nursing homes, but the hospital RNs make much more and if you are a contracted travel nurse they’re making $50 to $90 an hour still. Nurses are hard to come by and GOOD nurses are too few and too far between. 😕 I studied medicine to be an MD but all through school I envied how well taken care of nurses are! They make good money, hardly any (if any) school debt and make a great living! So if you’re a good nurse and know that your hard work is going unnoticed and they’re so old school here (even the rules on entering APUA to pay or Court just to put your name down you have to dress up, they are severely behind the times here!
Modern scrubs are equipped with repellant to repel bodily fluids (this is set fabric softener isn’t to used on them, so not rid the garment of the built in repellent) and as a direct corollary to Healthcare, modern scrubs like Cherokee or Figs makes should be allowed!
As for earrings, so long as they’re studs and not hoops or dangling, it shouldn’t be a problem. Dangling or hoops paw a danger to the nurse as delirious or hysterical could tug them out. The only rules on earrings should just be in regards to safety. Same as all jewelery. Typically bracelets or anything entrapment microbes is advised against. I suggest before the next nursing meeting, one or two do their research and refer to JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), go to “Standards” and present updated solutions to management to mitigate everything from uniforms, jewelery, how gloves should be properly used in terms on universal precautions. Offer real solutions on training and how this is a model to follow, not one matrons personal opinions!
Should uniforms fit well, not too tight or showing anything inappropriate, yes for professionalism but also for functionality. In a Code blue, how can you quickly crouch down or perform proper Chest compressions in a uniform you can’t move in. It’s common sense.
But I digress, uniforms should be modern, fit well, nails should be short, no acrylics (reducing infection spread), stud earrings for safety reasons, and if this hospital starts to follow JCAHO standards, overall the hospital may receive accolades instead of controversy.
Or
Good nurses who can obtain our already obtain a US Visa and want to get paid similar or more than what a Doctor makes here… you’re welcome to help fill the needs and shortage there. This is the beauty of freedom of choice. I hope to see many of you over there one day! I’ll bring the pastries and coffee for my nurses to their break room! Nurses are very, very much the pulse and baseline of patient care. Without patients we are nothing, but without God patient care, no one will trust Healthcare system to provide for them.
Focus on the right things and changes will come! Keep up the good work nurses! There are doctors and patients who do see you! 🙏🏽
We bash these same nurses on a daily basis but we never thank them. Thanks again for all you do.
I was admitted in the hospital recently and the dress code, jewelry undies of nurses should not be seen as a problem. The 4th floor where I was admitted was hell on earth. It was hot! The food is trash. On several occasions I had scans and a surgery to do and there was no Ordilies. Some nurses on the 4th floor are rough but there are a lot of good ones too. The nurses I’ve seen for myself work very hard from the ER come straight up. These nurses in ER are even more challenged I’ve seen because I was downstairs for a whole day due to no beds on my ward. Uniforms? Panties? Jewelry? These are not the problem! The management and matron plus some of the same society study the wrongs things. I can go on for hours about the problems at MSJMC. Focus on other things, that’s the least.
Ive visited casualty several time and there’s a list of problems. Uniforms😂😂😂😂….this is a joke. What is the purpose of the matron and her heads?
I was in the Emergency Room a month ago for an allergic reaction, and thanks to the nurse that took good care of me. The doctor on the other hand wasn’t the pleasant. I would not say all nurses are pleasant but they are good ones. The nurses if I’m not wrong wear white. If they’re are wearing whites, absolutely of curse you are going to see the underwear they are wearing. Everyone body structure is different. What might fit one, might not fit the other. We as a nation go to do better. These same nurses I see with my own eyes are being disrespected by patients….one of the patient and relatives were cursing the nurse. I patient passed out on the flood and no orderlies could have been found. Two female nurses had to push an Empty bed, lift the patient and placed them on it. They are human, they have feelings. I’m afraid of the hospital from that one experience I had. The hospital need a lot of work. Uniform and dress codes are not going to fix the problem. I’m not picking sides but the Matron and administration need to do better.
Some of the heads of management need to travel and visit the international hospitals to see how different nursing is in the bigger countries.
Nursing in Antigua is like slavery days.
Adults are being treated like children.
Why not focus on improving the work life balance?
Why not focus on formulating a pension scheme for the nurses?
Why not focus on improving the working environment?
Why not focus on upgrading the outdated equipments being used?
Why not focus on professional trading and development?
Time to get with the times or else nurses will sadly continue to leave our country.
Who Molwin you talking about? The Matron is his yes man.
And for you who ask who the nurses have to talk to the answer is NO ONE. All the bigger heads team up against the small fries/nurses.
It has been alleged that he matron verbalized on several occasions when spoken to about the staff leaving her response would be if they want to leave let them go at the ending of the day I have my family to feed and that ware the same response during covid when nurses were crying out for help.
There is no justice at the hospital when u stand up for yourself and refuse to be treated like a slave you are been branded a hard to deal with no manners individual and she ( matron) would put you on float (that means u go the nursing office every single morning and they decide where they should put you. And in the same breath if you report or have any misunderstanding with any of the managers it would not be dealt with fearly and if you are reported on it would be dealt with behind your back and your punishment would be seen in your schedule.
It’s why you all think a the matron we need a more experienced person to run the hospital the hospital is run by a bunch of children. Picanaga check thee hr department inexperienced. Non perfessional person working in the hr them is who you all need to get rid of ,they not fit for this position and more serious experience quality person Hr department needs and she concobines she hire need to go need to step down heads needs to look into this hire a bunch a she friend them two sit in office do fuck nothing and make money and them that work so hard making nothing much they should strike for her step down studying the least stupidness and put more effortless into negativity than good
Nurses are The Receivers of All Patients
First impression counts I once had to care for a relative who was a patient with the assistance of our brother
He was so bewildered that his comment was
” The way these Nurses behave and dress make The Sick more sick than getting Better”
There is a reason why We have Right and Left
Right and Wrong
Nurses are at The Fore Front and should be seen as The Helper in All circumstances with Good Outcomes
Many Nurses worked 12 hours shifts with one day off weekly and are still existing
Multiple earrings are not presentable along with long hair do These are weapons that can cause harm
The Matron is in Charge
Rules must be adhere to What ever One wears when off duty is acceptable but not on the Job
I will close with one request
Get a Professional photo of proper attired Nurse and compare It with a Present Day Nurse and there lies The Answer Nursing is A Calling and A Rewarding Profession when Patients are Grateful and are Discharged in healthier standing !!!! REFLECTION TIME
It is very sad that the nurses are being treated this way. Theses are the people that have to give care to us. From this article and the comments it shows that the nurses are those in charge do nothing for the nurses. Uniform cannot be the cause of the problem at MSJMC. It’s more to it than that.
First impressions count as some will say, but is the clothing, earrings, shoes, undergarments, hair doing the job? Matron need to get it together. Those in charge need to get it together. The citizen of Antigua and Barbuda come to the hospital with a pre conceived motion most time. Even when the nurses do the best, it’s still not good enough. I’ve been a patient at the hospital several times and the way the nurses are treated are ridiculous. I sit and I observe. Some nurses are yes quite rude but not all. Any work place you go to, they have good and bad ones. Sit and speak to the nurses, find a different approach to deal with things. They are adults at the end of the day. Each article is always about nurses. Those the nurse a lone make up the hospital. These said nurses I have seen with my own eyes work very had. Matron, do something before it’s too late. It’s always the same complaint about the Matron and those in charge.
@Drops da Mike🎤…
#Mike_Drop🎙️. Professionally stated!
🦉🤛🏽🤛🏽🤛🏽
#I_♥️_Kaiser!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
I will start by saying everything happens for a reason and I get that. But if I can be truly honest if I knew how it would be like to be a nurse 10 yrs ago, I probably would have done something else. NURSING IS GOING TO THE DOGS. There is no respect for nurses both inside and out. It’s the inside disrespect that is the worse, nurses truly eat their young. Power has a way of changing ppl, Lord I don’t know where I would end up in life but please help me to truly look out for others and make a positive impact in this profession. That’s if I remain in it. Feeling like jumping ship this one call nursing is sinking fast. Smh, sad sad state. For anyone out there thinking of becoming a nurse in Antigua, RUN!!!
Somethings needs to be done about those in authority. The matron and those in leading position talk down to the nurses. The nurses voice can’t be heard before someone shuts it down. They speak to the nurses with no respect. The nurses have life, they are an individual. They are not children, we all are adults and respect is needed across board. Someone needs to look into the Matron and SLBMSJMC. Uniform, hair, jewelry is not the problem. They are more big, pressing issues.
Lets be real
I am a nurse working at the hospital for several years and have interacted with the Matron in meetings and through interaction at work. I know the hospital is short of nurses and we get tired but if is one thing I observe about the Matron is that she is very passionate and caring towards her staff. I have read the various comments and we as nurses blame the Mstron for everything. But we are our own enemies. Some of us need to he honest and speak the truth. Some of us dont dress professionally and the same of people commenting are the same ones who make complaints abouts. The Matron is concerened with ensuring that nurses maintain professionalism at all time. So what is wrong if she tell us to make sure we are properly attired. Some of you nurses complaining are the culprits. You dont come to work slwsys sick and absent. You are unkind to your colleagues and are alwsys disgruntled. You complained that thr Matron and her team is not supportive but when you need a special shift because you have child issues the Matron is there for you. Dont talk about Nurses Week when she shows her appreciation by awarding us with gifts. Everday she fights for us for better working conditions and better salaries yet you write articles to dishoney her and the professional that she is. As nurses we need to stop painting the Matron as a bully. I am sure I speak for other nurses that know her to be a really caring and understanding person. Let us stop casting blame and be apart of the solution by doing our part by upholding our profession rather than tearing it down with our own agendas.
Nursing going to the dogs. Really!!
Who is to be blamef for this?. As nurses we work so hard to wear our white uniform with pride. But some of us after becoming nurses forgot the oath we took to take care if our patients. We blame nursing management for evetything. The Mayron does not own the hospital she too is an employee just trying to do her job. Give her a break and show her some support. You negativity is whats making nursing going to the dogs. Not the Matron.
WAP
It is always so easy to fling stones. I have know the Matron since school years to present. She has work for 40 years in the nursing service grooming tomorrows nurses to be the best nurses they can be. So if she tells to dress properly how is tjis forcing her belef on you. Every organizations had a dress code. You cant dress as you feel like to go the passport office , immigration, apua or any government office. So why rebel ? Is it because you can or because you dont know the rules. Grow up and teach your children to obey rules. Rules serve a purpose.
As far as I know a certain social worker, at a certain medical institution especially during carnival has been baring mere thongs and barely any garment on the upper torso since the year of 1994.
Didn’t realize being a nurse falls under the category of Social worker, bunch ah weirdos. Yuck.
The matron and those in authority need to do much better. From an outsider looking in, the matron seems like she does nothing for the nurses. She’s an authoritative leader it seems like, which is sad. The uniforms cannot do the job. They are missing the entire point. Something needs to be done.
Rules are made to be followed? Yes, but the hospital on a whole needs a revamp. The time and effort wasted on clothing and none sense should be placed on other areas to improve the hospital. The matron and her staff need to get it together. More can be done and that’s it.
This us to the person who calks themselves a LOVING TEACHER.
You of all persons know how it feels to teach children who are unruly and to deal with parents who sometime dont valve your opinion. The school has rules and as a teacher you have the responsibility to ensure they follow the rules which include wearing their school uniform. Today you are saying the Matron and her team is doing nothing. What if parents judged you the same way and say horrible things about you when you know you are doing your best. Some of you teachers stiĺl need training but you are quick to judge others. Channel your engery in your field. Thats my two cents.
Frustrated Nurse.
I think I need to add my two cents here. The professional nurses dress code was made from since the old hospital. The matron did not make the dress code. When we were hire we accepted and signed our contract under that same dress code.
Being treated unfairly in SLBMC does not give us the right to disrespect, discriminate and maltreat the public that we took an oat to serve. PLEASE REMEMBER OUR ETHICS. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ILL TREATMENT WE RECEIVE IN THE HOSPITAL.
The Matron is not responsible for nurses affairs, the Medical Director is. The Board is responsible for the hospital. Not the Matron. Nurses are leaving, yes how is the Matron responsible for that? The Medical Director reports all nursing issues to the Board to the board. He is responsible for the poor working conditions of nurses. All these questions should be directed to the Medical Director and the Board. The Matron is employed just like you and I.
Nurses are professionals and we need to dress and be guided accordingly. We are not administrative staff, orderlies, clerks or doctors. We are professionals. My issues with the dress code is that all staff should be guided by a dress code. Some wear tights, same tongs, shirt mini skirts. The entire staff of the hospital needs a dress code, not only nurses.
The human resource department needs to monitor all staff and not only nurses. Some staff just walk all over hospital and does nothing. The HR department is growing in leaps and bounds and the staff continues to suffer. No support what so ever from HR department.
Nurses are tired and frustrated in SLBMC. Nurses study and have been studying to upgrade themselves and they do not receive any increments for their upgrades. Nurses work long, difficult shifts and are not rightly compensated. Nurses work 16 hours a day and is not even given a meal while other staff is given meals. There are not adequate rest areas for nurses while there is a room on every unit for a doctors. It is just unfair and degrading to us. The bars are stocked against us. No matter how much we climb the bars keep going up. I am calling on the Board, the minister, the chair person, the medical director MAKE IT WORK. We are humans and we have eyes to see all the unfair treatment. We have feelings. If you get a cut we bleed too. DO BETTER AND WE WILL FUNCTION BETTER.
Nurses I employ you. I am one of you. I am suffering along side you. Let us function as the professionals we are. Continue to advocate for our clients. Speak up for our patients. We are there for them. Take the fight to the correct source and not our clients. Dress as a professional nurse, as we should. So that we can receive the respect that we are rightly due.
Let me address, this matter from a BIRD’S EYE VIEW. There’s nothing new with the uniform policy. Since Holberton the requirements were made. If you travel the world over you’ll note that nurses have a particularly way of dressing, uniforms lose enough for maneuvering when administering care. Roam throughout the Caribbean, take a look and you’ll see.
Check the government offices, court house, transport board, the banks, look at the requirements for dressing. Why is it that nurses think they should go to the extreme in our dressing?
Modesty is important. We’re the ones who have been the cause of he society treating us the way they do, from the way we treat each other filtering out to the way we treat our patients. Where has the consideration gone.?
It is a fact that there are many issues that need to be addressed as had been stated, lack of supplies, persons not feeling motivated yes, the list is extensive, however one needs to take pride not only in self but in up upholding the profession we’ve chosen.
We don’t care about our colleagues so how then can care for the patients. Absenteeism before or after the days off, recurrent submission of sick leave, tardiness just to stae a few, continue to plague the institution, and from a particular set of nurse. Yet it appears as though
there’s nothing that is or can be done about it.
Some have even sought legal advice or that of persons attached to the labor division when they don’t get what they want even after exhausting their days and they’re
ever granted the requests. The irony of this is that they can’t do this foolishness if hired by the lawyer or even in other businesses, why should it be ok in the health care system?
Someone spoke of bullying, that may be debatable, topic, whether you speak easy or roughly individuals don’t appreciate guidance. We think because we’re adults that were above being spoken to our guided.
Contrary to popular belief, the matron isn’t the one who is responsible for the issues regulations. The medical director and the hospital board are the ones who are responsible and have the final say.
Due to the way we behave as nurses everyone has a say in our affairs. We are the cause of that. If we don’t respect ourselves, how then can we expect to gain the respect we deserve?
On another note, throughout the hospital doctors have designated rest stations, and guess what, nurses have none. Due to the shortage subsumed only two nurses and a ward assistant may be working a shift depending in the area. Medical surgical maternity NICU pediatrics ER departments have patients with different scales of illnesses, and need staffing to suit the work load. If the patients condition is bad the nurse may be unable to take her lunch or supper break. Sometimes no one even sees that.
We work long hours as a means of filling the gap, sometimes 16 hours, the doctors get meals when the do long hours nurses don’t, I could let that slide. What I won’t let go is the fact that unfortunately, many good nurses are being roped into this bunch with the bad apples. The innocent are truely suffering for the guilty.
There’s much more to be said, however I’ll end with this…
The change we desire must begin with the NURSE IN THE MIRROR.
The Blame Game Must STOP!
For too long we as a people have been blaming others for our problems. I work at the hospital so I speak from experience not hear say. Nurses are wonderful people. They are the backbone of the healthcare system and as such should be respected and also respect themselves. We as nurses like to bring our issues to the media. When we bring our issues to the merua we dont tell the whole story. We tell our sides to gain the sympathy of the public. I have read most of the comments and they are one sided. We put out there comments for the public to cast their opinion on without knowing the real truth behind the comments we make. Why do we do this? When we do this the negative comments hurts us the nurses who are trying to give good patient care. Rather than follow the policies of the hospital you choose to rebel and give the impression that all the nurses in the hospital feel the same way.
Our matron does an exvellent job. She is humble and kind and nononsence yet very loving. We dont speak about her great attributes we talk negatively about her to make her look bad.
I will not hold my tongue as enough us enough. She fights for us. I admire her. She cares for us. Stop telling lies on the Matron!!. Some of you nurses deserve to be diciplined. I work with some of you and I am amazed at you behavior. Yet you talk about the matron who has such class. You can stop and talk to the Matron anytime. When she visits the ward she always greets us and enquire about our welbeing. Yet you and the public are quick to judge her. She needs your support especially the nursing managers. Stop the blame and be part of the solution.
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